Environmental Control Technologies/Technicians at CBT Technology Institute-Main Campus

CBT Technology Institute's Environmental Control Technologies program lands graduates at $41,814—around $4,400 below the national median for this field, but exactly matching Florida's state median. Here's the interesting wrinkle: among Florida's limited pool of five programs offering this credential, this ranks at the 60th percentile, suggesting it's actually performing reasonably well within the state's competitive landscape. The debt load of $20,225 translates to a 0.48 ratio, meaning graduates owe roughly half their first-year salary—manageable compared to many associate programs.

The concern here isn't the starting point but the trajectory. Four years out, earnings remain essentially flat at $41,640, which is unusual for HVAC and environmental control careers that typically offer advancement opportunities. This stagnation, combined with below-national-average starting pay, suggests graduates may be accessing entry-level positions but struggling to move up or aren't in settings that reward experience with raises. The 100% Pell Grant population indicates the program serves students who need education to be a clear economic ladder.

For an anxious parent, the question is whether $41,000 with no growth justifies two years of education and $20,000 in debt. If your child needs immediate, stable employment in Florida's environmental services sector and can live affordably, this gets them to work. But if they're hoping this associate degree launches a career with income progression, the flat earnings curve should temper those expectations.