Electrical Engineering Technologies/Technicians (Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma) at Guilford Technical Community College

Est. Earnings (1yr)

$38,804

Est. from national median (14 programs)

Est. Median Debt

$9,399

Est. from national median (8 programs)

Analysis

Based on peer programs nationwide, this certificate appears structured for quick entry into electrical technology fields with manageable debt—estimated at around $9,400 against first-year earnings near $39,000. That 0.24 debt-to-earnings ratio suggests graduates could reasonably pay off loans within months rather than years, assuming the national pattern holds locally.

The challenge is uncertainty. With 41% of students receiving Pell grants, Guilford Tech clearly serves working families who can least afford a credential that underperforms. While the national median for electrical engineering technology certificates sits at $38,800 in first-year earnings, top programs reach $57,400—a $19,000 gap that matters enormously for financial security. Without actual outcomes from North Carolina's 32 programs offering this credential, it's difficult to know whether local employers value these skills at the higher end of that range or whether graduates struggle to find positions that pay well.

The debt load is legitimately low for a technical credential, which helps contain risk. But your child would be banking on landing a job that pays roughly what similar programs produce nationally—no guarantee in a specific regional job market. Before committing, verify placement rates with local employers and whether graduates actually secure electrician, maintenance technician, or industrial roles that justify even this modest investment.

Where Guilford Technical Community College Stands

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

Compare to Similar Programs Nationally

Electrical Engineering Technologies/Technicians certificate's programs at top institutions nationally

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)*	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt*	Debt/Earnings
Guilford Technical Community CollegeJamestown	$2,319	$38,804*	—	$9,399*	—
Bluegrass Community and Technical CollegeLexington	$4,706	$69,924*	—	$7,000*	0.10
Southcentral Kentucky Community and Technical CollegeBowling Green	$4,656	$60,381*	—	$8,396*	0.14
Dallas CollegeDallas	$2,370	$59,679*	—	$12,269*	0.21
Danville Community CollegeDanville	$4,848	$57,533*	$45,206	$7,999*	0.14
Tidewater Community CollegeNorfolk	$5,714	$56,971*	—	$14,789*	0.26
National Median	—	$38,804*	—	$11,976*	0.31

* 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 Guilford Technical Community College, approximately 41% 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 national median of 14 similar programs. Actual outcomes may vary.