Animal Health Technologies at Pierpont Community and Technical College

Fairmont, WV · Public · Associate Degree · Veterinary/Animal Health Technologies/Technicians

a compact campus enrolling 906 students in Fairmont, WV.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $26,843 place Pierpont Community and Technical College below the $32,474 national median for Animal Health Technologies — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.

With a 29.1x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 14% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Animal Health Technologies career paths face changes, but the trade's physical demands provide a buffer.

A #139 ranking among 169 Animal Health Technologies programs places Pierpont Community and Technical College in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

The limited growth from $26,843 to $31,673 over five years suggests earnings in this trade plateau relatively early in one's career.

Animal Health Technologies has a registered apprenticeship option through Veterinary/Lab Animal Tech (Alternate Title: Animal Care Specialist) with a median wage of $37,320/yr — worth exploring for students who prefer structured on-the-job training.

42 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
38
Low End
42
Score
42
High End
Earnings $26,843/yr (-17% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (71% shielded)
Job Market Large (63,900 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$326K
4.2% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
29.1x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
3 of 3
Occupations with strong AI resilience

Projected 10-Year Earnings

Based on actual graduate salary data and Bureau of Labor Statistics growth projections.

Program Tuition (In-State)
$11,188
Out-of-state: $26,524
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$31,673
18% growth from Year 1

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Animal Health Technologies graduates by median salary.

Career Path Median Salary Growth AI-ProofAI
Health specialties teachers, postsecondary $105,620 +17.3% 52%
Veterinary technologists and technicians $45,980 +9.1% 84%
Veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers $37,320 +8.7% 78%
Health specialties teachers, postsecondary
$105,620
+17.3% growth 52% AI-proof
Veterinary technologists and technicians
$45,980
+9.1% growth 84% AI-proof
Veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers
$37,320
+8.7% growth 78% AI-proof

About Animal Health Technologies Careers

Your career begins on the front lines of animal care. You’ll be the one prepping a nervous dog for surgery, skillfully drawing blood for diagnostics, or running tests using lab equipment in a busy clinic or research facility. This is deeply hands-on work; you can’t comfort a frightened animal or assist in surgery from behind a computer screen. Your days are active, requiring both technical skill and compassion.

Read the full Animal Health Technologies career guide →

Compare & Explore

Animal Health Technologies Overview

Animal Health Technologies at Other Schools

Other Majors at Pierpont Community and Technical College

Explore the Degree Alternative

Not sure if a trade program or four-year degree fits better? Compare both paths.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Animal Health Technologies at Pierpont Community and Technical College?
This program scores 42/100 — on the lower end for Animal Health Technologies. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
Is Pierpont Community and Technical College a good choice for Animal Health Technologies despite lower starting pay?
Lower starting pay at Pierpont Community and Technical College may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.
Is there demand for Animal Health Technologies workers?
With approximately 63,900 annual openings across mapped careers, Animal Health Technologies offers a large employment pool. Physical trades tend to have steady demand driven by infrastructure and construction cycles.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →