Environmental Control Technologies/Technicians graduates earn $66,185 four years out. Related careers are growing at up to 10.9%, one of the stronger demand signals across all fields. HVAC Technician is among the highest-growth roles in the field.
About Environmental Control Technologies/Technicians
This page covers Environmental Control 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.
Environmental Control Technologies/Technicians is a focused area of study within Engineering Tech. Pick this and you can expect to earn around $66,185 four years out, a solid return for a focused credential. You will not have trouble finding it: 357 colleges offer this program, from community colleges to research universities. About 8,781 students complete it each year, most walking away with a certificate. Coursework leans technical and quantitative, with lab or project work common.
Median Earnings · 1yr
$47,936
Median Earnings · 4yr
$66,185
Colleges Offering
357
Graduates / Year
8,781
Avg Net Price / yr
$17,264
How Much Do Environmental Control Technologies/Technicians Graduates Earn?
Four years after finishing Environmental Control Technologies/Technicians, a typical graduate earns $66,185, above the national median for college graduates. Half of earners land somewhere between $46,340 and $91,075, so where you end up depends on the job and the employer. Do not judge the field on a starting paycheck alone: pay tends to jump in the first few years, climbing from $47,936 at one year out to $66,185 by year four. Source: College Scorecard.
Earnings grow steadily as you advance past entry-level roles. The four-year figure is a better long-term target.
$66,185
4-Year National Median
Above the national median for college graduates.
$69,956
4-Year Institutional Median
Median of per-school medians. Each reporting college counts equally, regardless of size.
Earnings Range
Not every Environmental Control 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.
$46,34025th pct.
$66,185Median
$91,07575th pct.
Why This Program Pays Off Fast
Strong ROI. At median 4-year earnings of $66,185 against an estimated $69,056 four-year net cost, most graduates break even against baseline wages in under two years.
Based on outcomes from 18 schools.
Colleges with fewer than 30 graduates are excluded from national averages.
Who Studies This? Credential Breakdown
Of the 8,781 students who complete Environmental Control Technologies/Technicians programs each year, the majority (75%) earn a certificate degree.
The breakdown below shows the full credential distribution.
75%20%
Certificate75%
Associate's20%
Bachelor's2%
What Can You Do With an Environmental Control Technologies/Technicians Degree?
This degree does not lock you into one job. Environmental Control Technologies/Technicians graduates show up in 4 different occupations, and HVAC Technician pays the most at $61,010/yr median. Expand any card below to see daily responsibilities, in-demand skills, and 10-year growth projections.
Install or repair heating, central air conditioning, HVAC, or refrigeration systems, including oil burners, hot-air furnaces, and heating stoves.
Test electrical circuits or components for continuity, using electrical test equipment.
Comply with all applicable standards, policies, or procedures, such as safety procedures or the maintenance of a clean work area.
Study blueprints, design specifications, or manufacturers' recommendations to ascertain the configuration of heating or cooling equipment components and to ensure the proper installation of components.
Apply theory and principles of environmental engineering to modify, test, and operate equipment and devices used in the prevention, control, and remediation of environmental problems, including waste treatment and site remediation, under the direction of engineering staff or scientists. May assist in the development of environmental remediation devices.
Maintain project logbook records or computer program files.
Record laboratory or field data, including numerical data, test results, photographs, or summaries of visual observations.
Perform environmental quality work in field or office settings.
Perform laboratory and field tests to monitor the environment and investigate sources of pollution, including those that affect health, under the direction of an environmental scientist, engineer, or other specialist. May collect samples of gases, soil, water, and other materials for testing.
Collect samples of gases, soils, water, industrial wastewater, or asbestos products to conduct tests on pollutant levels or identify sources of pollution.
Investigate hazardous conditions or spills or outbreaks of disease or food poisoning, collecting samples for analysis.
Record test data and prepare reports, summaries, or charts that interpret test results.
High school diploma or equivalent4,300 openings/yr52K employed nationally
MonitoringCritical ThinkingOperation and ControlActive ListeningOperations Monitoring
Day-to-day responsibilities
Identify, remove, pack, transport, or dispose of hazardous materials, including asbestos, lead-based paint, waste oil, fuel, transmission fluid, radioactive materials, or contaminated soil. Specialized training and certification in hazardous materials handling or a confined entry permit are generally required. May operate earth-moving equipment or trucks.
Build containment areas prior to beginning abatement or decontamination work.
Remove asbestos or lead from surfaces, using hand or power tools such as scrapers, vacuums, or high-pressure sprayers.
Identify asbestos, lead, or other hazardous materials to be removed, using monitoring devices.
Top Colleges for Environmental Control Technologies/Technicians
Not sure where to study Environmental Control 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 Environmental Control Technologies/Technicians graduate volume. Scroll right to compare key stats.
Read our methodology →
Related Engineering Tech Programs
Environmental Control 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 Environmental Control Technologies/Technicians program, compare colleges side-by-side, weigh the long-term payoff, and find
schools that match your profile.
Environmental Control Technologies/Technicians Degree: Pros & Cons
Strong earnings and positive career growth make Environmental Control Technologies/Technicians a solid option. The 4 strengths and 0 trade-offs below are data-sourced from College Scorecard, BLS, and IPEDS.
PROS
Above-average earningsFour-year median of $66,185 puts graduates ahead of many humanities and social science programs.
Strong salary growthMedian earnings climb from $47,936 at graduation to $66,185 four years later, a clear sign of career momentum in this field.
Fast-growing fieldRelated careers are projected to grow up to +10.9% over the next decade, with HVAC Technician among the fastest-growing roles.
Strong hiring volumeRelated occupations generate more than 51,300 job openings per year combined, creating consistent demand for graduates.
Environmental Control Technologies/Technicians Degree: Frequently Asked Questions
How much do Environmental Control Technologies/Technicians graduates earn?
$66,185 four years after finishing the program. Half of graduates land between $46,340 and $91,075, so employer, role, and location move that number more than the degree itself. Source: College Scorecard.
What is the starting salary for an Environmental Control Technologies/Technicians degree?
$47,936 in the first year out. That grows to $66,185 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 Environmental Control Technologies/Technicians degree?
HVAC Technician is one path, and it pays a median of $61,010 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 Environmental Control Technologies/Technicians program take?
One to two years of full-time study for most Environmental Control Technologies/Technicians certificates, and some community colleges get you through in a single semester. That makes it one of the fastest ways into the field.
How many colleges offer Environmental Control Technologies/Technicians?
357 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 Environmental Control Technologies/Technicians degree worth it?
$66,185 median earnings four years out against $17,264 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 Environmental Control Technologies/Technicians and Engineering Tech?
Environmental Control Technologies/Technicians is the narrower of the two: Engineering Tech covers the full discipline, while this program limits the curriculum to Environmental Control 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 Environmental Control Technologies/Technicians graduates?
Coursework alone will not get you hired. Employers hiring Environmental Control 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 Environmental Control 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 Environmental Control Technologies/Technicians graduates?
Outlook is moderate overall: related occupations average +5.6% projected job growth over the next 10 years. HVAC Technician is among the strongest-growth roles at +10.9%. 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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