Electrical and Power Transmission Installers at Hawaii Community College

The numbers for Hawaii Community College's electrical trades program come from national peers since the graduate cohort is too small for the Department of Education to publish, but those comparable programs suggest a solid technical training path. The estimated $7,416 debt load is notably lower than the national median of $9,500 for similar certificates, while first-year earnings around $38,700 align with what electrical installer programs typically produce nationwide.

That debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.19 means graduates would owe roughly two months of their first-year salary—a manageable burden that positions them to pay down loans quickly while establishing themselves in the trades. For Hawaii's economy, where skilled electrical work commands strong demand due to aging infrastructure and renewable energy projects, this type of credential can open doors to stable employment. The lower debt especially matters in a state with higher living costs.

The challenge is that with only three schools offering this program statewide and no local reported outcomes, you're making this decision based entirely on what happens elsewhere. If your child is committed to electrical trades and staying in Hawaii, the estimated low debt makes this worth exploring further. Visit the campus, talk to instructors about job placement with local utilities and contractors, and ask specifically about completion rates—those concrete details matter more than estimates drawn from mainland programs.