Heavy/Industrial Equipment Maintenance Technologies at Career and Technology Education Centers of Licking County

At first glance, the numbers here look manageable—graduates earn nearly $40,000 right away while carrying less than $9,000 in debt. That's a comfortable ratio that most families would find reasonable. The problem emerges in what happens next: earnings drop to $34,000 by year four, a 14% decline that's unusual for skilled trades. While this program ranks at the 40th percentile among Ohio's heavy equipment programs (essentially middle-of-the-pack in-state), it falls well behind both the state median of $44,600 and the national median of $50,500. More concerning, top Ohio programs like Warren County Career Center place graduates earning $70,000—more than double what you'd see here four years out.

The earnings trajectory suggests graduates may be starting in entry-level positions that don't lead to advancement, or they're facing regional employment constraints in the Newark area. Heavy equipment maintenance typically offers stable, growing wages as technicians gain experience and certifications, so this backward slide warrants investigation. Are graduates staying in the field? Is there a local industry downturn affecting opportunities?

For families considering this program, the debt load won't be crushing, but the earning potential appears limited compared to other Ohio options. If your child is set on this field, it's worth exploring whether stronger programs within reasonable commuting distance—or whether this program's graduates successfully transfer skills into higher-paying positions that the four-year data isn't capturing.