Est. Earnings (1yr)
$55,532
Est. from national median (29 programs)
Est. Median Debt
$11,875
Est. from national median (12 programs)

Analysis

Georgia's heavy equipment maintenance programs typically generate strong earnings outcomes, and comparable programs nationally suggest Gwinnett Technical College follows this pattern. With estimated first-year earnings around $55,500 against debt of roughly $11,900, graduates would owe about four months of gross pay—a manageable burden for skilled trades work. Similar programs in Georgia actually perform slightly better, with the state median reaching $58,200, suggesting this estimate may be conservative.

The field itself demonstrates clear value: among the 222 programs nationwide, outcomes cluster in a narrow, favorable range where most graduates earn solidly middle-class wages within their first year. Equipment maintenance technicians enter a labor market with persistent demand, particularly in Georgia's logistics and manufacturing sectors. The relatively modest debt load at technical colleges like Gwinnett means students aren't sacrificing years of earnings to loan repayment the way four-year graduates often do.

The challenge here is uncertainty. Since actual outcomes for Gwinnett's specific graduates aren't available, you're betting this program performs like its peers rather than knowing it does. With 20 schools offering this credential in Georgia—and some reporting significantly higher earnings—it's worth investigating what makes certain programs outperform others. Still, the fundamentals look sound: low debt, practical skills, and entry into an occupation where the work-to-income ratio typically favors workers.

Where Gwinnett Technical College Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all heavy/industrial equipment maintenance technologies associates's programs nationally

Compare to Similar Programs in Georgia

Heavy/Industrial Equipment Maintenance Technologies associates's programs at peer institutions in Georgia (20 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)*Earnings (4yr)Median Debt*Debt/Earnings
Gwinnett Technical CollegeLawrenceville$3,356$55,532*$11,875*
Georgia Northwestern Technical CollegeRome$3,132$62,982*$67,822*
South Georgia Technical CollegeAmericus$3,782$53,379**
National Median$55,532*$12,000*0.22
* Estimated from similar programs

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with heavy/industrial equipment maintenance technologies graduates

Elevator and Escalator Installers and Repairers

Assemble, install, repair, or maintain electric or hydraulic freight or passenger elevators, escalators, or dumbwaiters.

$106,580/yrJobs growth:High school diploma or equivalent

Industrial Machinery Mechanics

Repair, install, adjust, or maintain industrial production and processing machinery or refinery and pipeline distribution systems. May also install, dismantle, or move machinery and heavy equipment according to plans.

$63,510/yrJobs growth:High school diploma or equivalent

Maintenance Workers, Machinery

Lubricate machinery, change parts, or perform other routine machinery maintenance.

$63,510/yrJobs growth:High school diploma or equivalent

Millwrights

Install, dismantle, or move machinery and heavy equipment according to layout plans, blueprints, or other drawings.

$63,510/yrJobs growth:High school diploma or equivalent

Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines

Diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul mobile mechanical, hydraulic, and pneumatic equipment, such as cranes, bulldozers, graders, and conveyors, used in construction, logging, and mining.

$62,740/yrJobs growth:High school diploma or equivalent

Rail Car Repairers

Diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul railroad rolling stock, mine cars, or mass transit rail cars.

$62,740/yrJobs growth:High school diploma or equivalent

Wind Turbine Service Technicians

Inspect, diagnose, adjust, or repair wind turbines. Perform maintenance on wind turbine equipment including resolving electrical, mechanical, and hydraulic malfunctions.

$62,580/yrJobs growth:Postsecondary nondegree award

Control and Valve Installers and Repairers, Except Mechanical Door

Install, repair, and maintain mechanical regulating and controlling devices, such as electric meters, gas regulators, thermostats, safety and flow valves, and other mechanical governors.

Refractory Materials Repairers, Except Brickmasons

Build or repair equipment such as furnaces, kilns, cupolas, boilers, converters, ladles, soaking pits, and ovens, using refractory materials.

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 Gwinnett Technical College, approximately 39% 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 29 similar programs. Actual outcomes may vary.