Environmental Technology at Southern Careers Institute-Austin

Austin, TX · Private for-profit · Certificate · Environmental Control Technologies/Technicians

with a smaller student body of 1,079 in Austin, TX.

Program Analysis

Starting salaries of $32,421/yr fall 15% below the $38,197 national median for Environmental Technology. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.

AI risk is moderate — 24% task exposure — and the 10% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook for Environmental Technology graduates.

At $9,500 in median debt against $32,421 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance quickly — a hallmark of affordable trade programs.

At #47 out of 63 programs, Southern Careers Institute-Austin's financial outcomes for Environmental Technology trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

Earnings growth is modest: $32,421 to $36,986 over five years (14% gain). This trade may have a lower salary ceiling than high-growth professions.

With 30 registered apprenticeships mapped to Environmental Technology, graduates have substantial options for hands-on training paths that pay from day one.

46 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
44
Low End
46
Score
48
High End
Earnings $32,421/yr (-15% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (76% shielded)
Job Market Large (68,200 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$378K
3.4% annual growth
Viable Career Paths
6 of 6
Occupations with strong AI resilience

Projected 10-Year Earnings

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

Median Debt at Graduation
$9,500
3.5 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$36,986
14% growth from Year 1

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Environmental Technology graduates by median salary.

Career Path Median Salary Growth AI-ProofAI
Engineering technologists and technicians, except drafters, all other $77,390 +1.5% 76%
Heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers $59,810 +8.1% 89%
Environmental engineering technologists and technicians $58,890 +1.2% 59%
Engineering technologists and technicians, except drafters, all other
$77,390
+1.5% growth 76% AI-proof
Heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers
$59,810
+8.1% growth 89% AI-proof
Environmental engineering technologists and technicians
$58,890
+1.2% growth 59% AI-proof

View all 6 career paths with full salary data →

Environmental Technology Career Guide

Explore what Environmental Technology graduates do, from entry-level roles to long-term career paths across 63 programs nationwide.

Read the full Environmental Technology career guide →

Compare & Explore

Environmental Technology Overview

Environmental Technology at Other Schools

Other Majors at Southern Careers Institute-Austin

Considering a 4-Year Degree Instead?

Compare how bachelor's degree graduates fare on earnings, ROI, and AI resilience.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 46/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Environmental Technology at Southern Careers Institute-Austin?
At 46/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Environmental Technology programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
How affordable is Environmental Technology at Southern Careers Institute-Austin?
Median debt of just $9,500 against $32,421/yr in starting salary means graduates can clear their loans in under 4 months. This is one of the more affordable paths in our dataset.
Is Southern Careers Institute-Austin a good choice for Environmental Technology despite lower starting pay?
First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.
Should I consider an apprenticeship over a Environmental Technology program at Southern Careers Institute-Austin?
Beyond Southern Careers Institute-Austin's classroom route, 30 registered apprenticeships map to Environmental Technology careers — including Additive 3D Printing Technician. Apprenticeships trade shorter program length for longer on-the-job training, typically 2-4 years.
How many job openings are there for Environmental Technology graduates?
The career paths mapped to Environmental Technology have roughly 68,200 combined annual openings nationally, making this a large job market. Demand is driven by ongoing digital transformation and technology adoption.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →