Electrical Engineering Technologies/Technicians (Associate's Degree) at Butler County Community College

Est. Earnings (1yr)

$44,552

Est. from PA median (4 programs)

Est. Median Debt

$12,063

Est. from national median (24 programs)

Analysis

Based on comparable programs in Pennsylvania, this electrical engineering technology degree appears to come with modest debt relative to earning potential—estimated at roughly $12,000 for first-year earnings around $44,500. That 0.27 debt-to-earnings ratio suggests manageable loan payments, though the earnings figure trails the national median for these programs by about $10,000. Pennsylvania's electrical tech market seems to pay less than other states, with the state median matching Butler's estimated outcome exactly. That said, several PA schools with reported data show graduates earning more, including Pittsburgh Technical College at nearly $51,000, suggesting Butler's program may not be maximizing earning potential in the region.

The real question is whether staying local makes financial sense. The debt appears reasonable—below both state and national medians for this credential—but the earning estimates put graduates in the middle of Pennsylvania's pack rather than at the top. For students who need to stay near Butler and can graduate with debt close to this estimate, the numbers work. The monthly loan payments would be manageable on a technician's salary, and demand for electrical techs remains steady.

The caveat: these figures come from peer programs, not Butler's actual graduates, so your child's outcome could differ. If they're considering other technical fields or schools with stronger reported earnings, those comparisons matter. For this specific path, the debt picture looks fine, but the earnings potential appears merely adequate.

Where Butler County Community College Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all electrical engineering technologies/technicians associates's programs nationally

Compare to Similar Programs in Pennsylvania

Electrical Engineering Technologies/Technicians associates's programs at peer institutions in Pennsylvania (18 total in state)

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)*	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt*	Debt/Earnings
Butler County Community CollegeButler	$5,610	$44,552*	—	$12,063*	—
Pittsburgh Technical CollegeOakdale	$18,980	$50,876*	$55,127	$17,249*	0.34
Laurel Technical InstituteHermitage	$11,470	$45,116*	—	$12,000*	0.27
Laurel Business InstituteUniontown	$11,470	$43,988*	—	$15,245*	0.35
YTI Career Institute-YorkYork	—	$37,074*	$53,715	$18,046*	0.49
National Median	—	$54,852*	—	$14,710*	0.27

* Estimated from similar programs

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with electrical engineering technologies/technicians graduates

Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians

Operate, install, adjust, and maintain integrated computer/communications systems, consoles, simulators, and other data acquisition, test, and measurement instruments and equipment, which are used to launch, track, position, and evaluate air and space vehicles. May record and interpret test data.

$79,830/yrJobs growth:Associate's degree

Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians

Apply electrical and electronic theory and related knowledge, usually under the direction of engineering staff, to design, build, repair, adjust, and modify electrical components, circuitry, controls, and machinery for subsequent evaluation and use by engineering staff in making engineering design decisions.

$77,180/yrJobs growth:Associate's degree

Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Powerhouse, Substation, and Relay

Inspect, test, repair, or maintain electrical equipment in generating stations, substations, and in-service relays.

$71,270/yrJobs growth:

Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians

Operate, test, maintain, or adjust unmanned, automated, servomechanical, or electromechanical equipment. May operate unmanned submarines, aircraft, or other equipment to observe or record visual information at sites such as oil rigs, crop fields, buildings, or for similar infrastructure, deep ocean exploration, or hazardous waste removal. May assist engineers in testing and designing robotics equipment.

$70,760/yrJobs growth:Associate's degree

Robotics Technicians

Build, install, test, or maintain robotic equipment or related automated production systems.

$70,760/yrJobs growth:Associate's degree

Electrical and Electronics Drafters

Prepare wiring diagrams, circuit board assembly diagrams, and layout drawings used for the manufacture, installation, or repair of electrical equipment.

$65,380/yrJobs growth:Associate's degree

Calibration Technologists and Technicians

Execute or adapt procedures and techniques for calibrating measurement devices, by applying knowledge of measurement science, mathematics, physics, chemistry, and electronics, sometimes under the direction of engineering staff. Determine measurement standard suitability for calibrating measurement devices. May perform preventive maintenance on equipment. May perform corrective actions to address identified calibration problems.

$65,040/yrJobs growth:Associate's degree

Sound Engineering Technicians

Assemble and operate equipment to record, synchronize, mix, edit, or reproduce sound, including music, voices, or sound effects, for theater, video, film, television, podcasts, sporting events, and other productions.

$56,600/yrJobs growth:

Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other

All engineering technologists and technicians, except drafters, not listed separately.

Non-Destructive Testing Specialists

Test the safety of structures, vehicles, or vessels using x-ray, ultrasound, fiber optic or related equipment.

Photonics Technicians

Build, install, test, or maintain optical or fiber optic equipment, such as lasers, lenses, or mirrors, using spectrometers, interferometers, or related equipment.

Disc Jockeys, Except Radio

Play prerecorded music for live audiences at venues or events such as clubs, parties, or wedding receptions. May use techniques such as mixing, cutting, or sampling to manipulate recordings. May also perform as emcee (master of ceremonies).

Jobs growth:

About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Butler County Community College, approximately 35% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 4 similar programs in PA. Actual outcomes may vary.