Energy Systems Technologies/Technicians graduates earn $85,557 four years out. Related careers are growing at up to 29.5%, one of the stronger demand signals across all fields. Wind Turbine Service Technicians is among the highest-growth roles in the field.
This page covers Energy Systems Technologies/Technicians as a course of study: what it costs, where it is taught, and what graduates go on to earn. It sits inside the wider field of Engineering Tech and how it pays overall, which is the better comparison if you are still choosing between subjects.
Energy Systems Technologies/Technicians is a focused area of study within Engineering Tech. Pick this and you can expect to earn around $85,557 four years out, a strong return for a focused credential. You will not have trouble finding it: 222 colleges offer this program, from community colleges to research universities. About 1,230 students complete it each year, most walking away with a associate's. Coursework leans technical and quantitative, with lab or project work common.
Median Earnings · 1yr
$67,764
Median Earnings · 4yr
$85,557
Colleges Offering
222
Graduates / Year
1,230
Avg Net Price / yr
$15,104
How Much Do Energy Systems Technologies/Technicians Graduates Earn?
Four years after finishing Energy Systems Technologies/Technicians, a typical graduate earns $85,557, well above average for college graduates. Half of earners land somewhere between $68,524 and $110,911, so where you end up depends on the job and the employer. Source: College Scorecard.
Earnings grow steadily as you advance past entry-level roles. The four-year figure is a better long-term target.
$85,557
4-Year National Median
Well above average for college graduates.
$82,792
4-Year Institutional Median
Median of per-school medians. Each reporting college counts equally, regardless of size.
Earnings Range
Not every Energy Systems Technologies/Technicians graduate ends up in the same place. Earnings spread out widely, so know what pushes people to one end or the other. Sector is the biggest factor. Tech companies and finance firms tend to pay significantly more than government, education, or nonprofit employers in this field.
$68,52425th pct.
$85,557Median
$110,91175th pct.
Why This Program Pays Off Fast
Strong ROI. At median 4-year earnings of $85,557 against an estimated $60,416 four-year net cost, most graduates break even against baseline wages in under two years.
Based on outcomes from 19 schools.
Colleges with fewer than 30 graduates are excluded from national averages.
Who Studies This? Credential Breakdown
Of the 1,230 students who complete Energy Systems Technologies/Technicians programs each year, the majority (42%) earn a associate's degree.
The breakdown below shows the full credential distribution.
42%23%
Associate's42%
Bachelor's23%
Certificate19%
What Can You Do With an Energy Systems Technologies/Technicians Degree?
This degree does not lock you into one job. Energy Systems Technologies/Technicians graduates show up in 3 different occupations, and Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Powerhouse, Substation, and Relay pays the most at $103,020/yr median. Expand any card below to see daily responsibilities, in-demand skills, and 10-year growth projections.
Inspect, test, repair, or maintain electrical equipment in generating stations, substations, and in-service relays.
Inspect and test equipment and circuits to identify malfunctions or defects, using wiring diagrams and testing devices such as ohmmeters, voltmeters, or ammeters.
Prepare and maintain records detailing tests, repairs, and maintenance.
Consult manuals, schematics, wiring diagrams, and engineering personnel to troubleshoot and solve equipment problems and to determine optimum equipment functioning.
Active ListeningReading ComprehensionCritical ThinkingComplex Problem SolvingSpeaking
Day-to-day responsibilities
Design and develop manufactured products, such as cars, home appliances, and children's toys. Combine artistic talent with research on product use, marketing, and materials to create the most functional and appealing product design.
Prepare sketches of ideas, detailed drawings, illustrations, artwork, or blueprints, using drafting instruments, paints and brushes, or computer-aided design equipment.
Modify and refine designs, using working models, to conform with customer specifications, production limitations, or changes in design trends.
Evaluate feasibility of design ideas, based on factors such as appearance, safety, function, serviceability, budget, production costs/methods, and market characteristics.
Inspect, diagnose, adjust, or repair wind turbines. Perform maintenance on wind turbine equipment including resolving electrical, mechanical, and hydraulic malfunctions.
Troubleshoot or repair mechanical, hydraulic, or electrical malfunctions related to variable pitch systems, variable speed control systems, converter systems, or related components.
Perform routine maintenance on wind turbine equipment, underground transmission systems, wind fields substations, or fiber optic sensing and control systems.
Diagnose problems involving wind turbine generators or control systems.
Top Colleges for Energy Systems Technologies/Technicians
Not sure where to study Energy Systems Technologies/Technicians? These 20 colleges graduate the most students in it each year. Scroll right to compare acceptance rate, net price, and median earnings side by side.
Ranked by Energy Systems Technologies/Technicians graduate volume. Scroll right to compare key stats.
Read our methodology →
Related Engineering Tech Programs
Energy Systems Technologies/Technicians is not the only path through Engineering Tech: 18 other specializations sit alongside it. The comparison below ranks them by 4-year median earnings so you can see where this one lands.
Decide with data, not guesswork. These tools turn the numbers on this page
into a personal plan. Estimate the real cost of an Energy Systems Technologies/Technicians program, compare colleges side-by-side, weigh the long-term payoff, and find
schools that match your profile.
Energy Systems Technologies/Technicians Degree: Pros & Cons
Strong earnings and positive career growth make Energy Systems Technologies/Technicians a solid option. The 4 strengths and 0 trade-offs below are data-sourced from College Scorecard, BLS, and IPEDS.
PROS
Strong median salaryGraduates earn $85,557 nationally four years out, placing this field above most degree programs in the country.
Fast-growing fieldRelated careers are projected to grow up to +29.5% over the next decade, with Wind Turbine Service Technicians among the fastest-growing roles.
High upside potentialTop earners (75th percentile) in this program reach $110,911, a strong ceiling for high performers.
Flexible credential pathsPrograms are available from certificate and associate levels through bachelor's and graduate degrees, giving students real options based on timeline and goals.
Energy Systems Technologies/Technicians Degree: Frequently Asked Questions
How much do Energy Systems Technologies/Technicians graduates earn?
$85,557 four years after finishing the program. Half of graduates land between $68,524 and $110,911, so employer, role, and location move that number more than the degree itself. Source: College Scorecard.
What is the starting salary for an Energy Systems Technologies/Technicians degree?
$67,764 in the first year out. That grows to $85,557 by year four, so do not judge this field on the entry-level number alone. Most of the gain shows up once you clear the first few years and move past entry-level roles. Source: College Scorecard.
What jobs can you get with an Energy Systems Technologies/Technicians degree?
Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Powerhouse, Substation, and Relay is one path, and it pays a median of $103,020 a year. It is not the only one: the Career Paths section below lists every occupation graduates actually go into, with wages and 10-year growth for each.
How long does an Energy Systems Technologies/Technicians program take?
Two years full-time at a community college for an Energy Systems Technologies/Technicians associate degree. Many students use it as a stepping stone, transferring to a four-year school afterward to finish a bachelor's.
How many colleges offer Energy Systems Technologies/Technicians?
222 colleges and universities, so you are not short on options. That range runs from community colleges granting certificates and associate degrees to research universities with full doctoral tracks. Source: IPEDS.
Is an Energy Systems Technologies/Technicians degree worth it?
$85,557 median earnings four years out against $15,104 a year in average net price. That is a fast payback, and it holds up especially well at lower-cost schools. Use the Top Colleges section below to compare specific schools before deciding. Source: College Scorecard.
What is the difference between Energy Systems Technologies/Technicians and Engineering Tech?
Energy Systems Technologies/Technicians is the narrower of the two: Engineering Tech covers the full discipline, while this program limits the curriculum to Energy Systems Technologies/Technicians-specific courses, skills, and career tracks. Pick the specialization once you already know this is the direction you want; it gets you a more targeted credential, not a broader one.
What skills do employers look for in Energy Systems Technologies/Technicians graduates?
Coursework alone will not get you hired. Employers hiring Energy Systems Technologies/Technicians graduates consistently look for analytical thinking, technical proficiency, and data interpretation. Employers typically prioritize candidates who can demonstrate hands-on project or internship experience alongside their coursework. Build those into your coursework and internships now, and the job search later gets easier.
Is graduate school worth it for Energy Systems Technologies/Technicians graduates?
Usually worth considering. A master's in a STEM field can accelerate advancement into research, leadership, or senior engineering roles, and often adds $15,000 to $40,000 in long-term earning potential depending on specialization. Weigh that against your own career goals, the program's cost, and whether your target role actually rewards the advanced credential.
What is the job outlook for Energy Systems Technologies/Technicians graduates?
Outlook is strong overall: related occupations average +13.9% projected job growth over the next 10 years. Wind Turbine Service Technicians are among the strongest-growth roles at +29.5%. That average hides real differences by role and location, so check the Career Paths section below for the projection on each specific occupation before you count on any single number.
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