Electrical and Power Transmission Installers at Bates Technical College

Electrical work is one of the better-paying trades in Washington, which makes the earnings estimate here—$38,716 based on national figures—particularly concerning. Other programs in the state report median earnings around $62,000, with Spokane Community College graduates earning nearly $67,000 in their first year. That's a $28,000 gap that could reflect differences in curriculum focus, regional job markets, or simply the uncertainty inherent in estimation.

The debt picture looks reasonable at an estimated $7,416, well below both state and national medians for this credential. With a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.19, graduates from comparable programs typically manage repayment without strain. But here's the tension: if actual earnings at Bates follow the state pattern rather than the national estimate, this becomes an excellent value proposition. If they don't, you're looking at earnings that barely exceed $38,000 for skilled technical work in a high-cost region like Tacoma.

Given the wide variation in Washington outcomes and the fact that both key figures here are estimates, direct contact with Bates about their graduates' placement rates and starting wages is essential. The low Pell enrollment (9%) suggests this program may not be the school's primary focus. Find out where their electrical certificate graduates actually work and what they're earning—the difference between a $38,000 outcome and a $62,000 one completely changes whether this investment makes sense.