Environmental Control Technologies at Southern Careers Institute-San Antonio

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

a smaller institution with 939 students in San Antonio, TX.

Program Analysis

Starting salaries of $32,421/yr fall 15% below the $38,197 national median for Environmental Control Technologies. 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 Control Technologies 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 #55 out of 63 programs, Southern Careers Institute-San Antonio's financial outcomes for Environmental Control Technologies 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 Control Technologies, 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 Control Technologies 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 →

About Environmental Control Technologies Careers

Your career in environmental control begins with essential, hands-on work. One day, you could be in a homeowner's basement, using wrenches and a multimeter to diagnose and repair a furnace. The next, you might be on a commercial rooftop installing a new air conditioning unit, connecting ductwork and refrigerant lines. Alternatively, you could find yourself at a municipal water treatment plant, operating complex machinery, monitoring control panels, and testing water samples to ensure community safety. These are the core, in-demand jobs where you'll build your foundation.

Read the full Environmental Control Technologies career guide →

Compare & Explore

Environmental Control Technologies Overview

Environmental Control Technologies at Other Schools

Other Majors at Southern Careers Institute-San Antonio

Considering a 4-Year Degree Instead?

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

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Southern Careers Institute-San Antonio's Environmental Control Technologies program score?
This program scores 46/100 — on the lower end for Environmental Control Technologies. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
What's the typical debt for Environmental Control Technologies graduates from Southern Careers Institute-San Antonio?
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.
Can you still earn well with Environmental Control Technologies from Southern Careers Institute-San Antonio?
Starting salary is one data point. If Southern Careers Institute-San Antonio's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.
Are there apprenticeship options for Environmental Control Technologies?
There are 30 registered apprenticeships connected to Environmental Control Technologies occupations. The earn-while-you-learn model means no tuition debt and immediate income, though the training period is typically longer.
How many job openings are there for Environmental Control Technologies graduates?
The career paths mapped to Environmental Control Technologies have roughly 68,200 combined annual openings nationally, making this a large job market. Trade careers in this field benefit from consistent replacement demand as workers retire.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →