Electrical and Power Transmission Installers at Tidewater Community College

Norfolk, VA · Public · Certificate

enrolling 11,797 students in Norfolk, VA.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $36,232 place Tidewater Community College below the $43,305 national median for Electrical and Power Transmission Installers — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.

With a 66.3x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 0% spread between best and worst-case AI scenarios signals strong resilience. Most careers in Electrical and Power Transmission Installers involve physical, hands-on work that current AI cannot replicate.

A #84 ranking among 214 Electrical and Power Transmission Installers programs places Tidewater Community College in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.

The 31 apprenticeship pathways connected to Electrical and Power Transmission Installers reflect strong industry infrastructure for this trade. Apprenticeships typically lead to journeyman-level wages.

67 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
65
Low End
67
Score
67
High End
Earnings $36,232/yr (-16% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (78% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (230,700 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$379K
1.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
66.3x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
7 of 7
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)
$5,714
Out-of-state: $11,717

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Electrical and Power Transmission Installers graduates by median salary.

Career Path Median Salary Growth AI-ProofAI
Electrical and electronics repairers, powerhouse, substation, and relay $100,940 +5.5% 66%
Electrical power-line installers and repairers $92,560 +6.6% 100%
Signal and track switch repairers $83,600 +1.7% 92%
Electrical and electronics repairers, powerhouse, substation, and relay
$100,940
+5.5% growth 66% AI-proof
Electrical power-line installers and repairers
$92,560
+6.6% growth 100% AI-proof
Signal and track switch repairers
$83,600
+1.7% growth 92% AI-proof

View all 7 career paths with full salary data →

About Electrical and Power Transmission Installers Careers

Your training will put you on a path to becoming a licensed electrician or a specialized power-line installer. As an electrician, you'll work on construction sites or in homes, running conduit, pulling wire, and installing fixtures. If you choose the power transmission route, your 'office' is outdoors, working with a team to maintain the high-voltage lines that power entire communities. After your apprenticeship, you’ll progress to a journeyman, tackling complex projects independently. This is hands-on problem-solving that requires you to be on-site—a skill set that can’t be automated from an office.

Read the full Electrical and Power Transmission Installers career guide →

Compare & Explore

Electrical and Power Transmission Installers Overview

Electrical and Power Transmission Installers at Other Schools

Other Majors at Tidewater Community College

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Tidewater Community College's Electrical and Power Transmission Installers program score?
A score of 67/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the Electrical and Power Transmission Installers field.
How safe is Electrical and Power Transmission Installers from automation?
This is one of the more automation-resistant trades. Electrical and Power Transmission Installers work requires physical skill and on-site presence — qualities AI cannot provide. Our model rates it "AI-Proof" overall.
Why are Electrical and Power Transmission Installers earnings lower at Tidewater Community College?
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.
What apprenticeship pathways exist for Electrical and Power Transmission Installers graduates?
Yes — 31 registered apprenticeship programs are mapped to Electrical and Power Transmission Installers career paths, including Cable Installer-Repairer (Alternate Title: Cable Systems Installer/Maintainer). Apprenticeships offer paid on-the-job training as an alternative or complement to certificate programs.
How many job openings are there for Electrical and Power Transmission Installers graduates?
The career paths mapped to Electrical and Power Transmission Installers have roughly 230,700 combined annual openings nationally, making this a very 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 →