Electrical/Electronics Maintenance and Repair Technology at Onondaga Cortland Madison BOCES

Graduates from this BOCES electrical maintenance program start below state and national benchmarks but see strong momentum, with earnings jumping 26% to reach $38,098 by year four—ultimately outpacing what the typical graduate from this program earns nationally. For a technical certificate that requires less than $8,500 in debt, that trajectory matters more than the slower start.

The program sits just below the New York median for similar programs, but given that 60% of students receive Pell grants, these graduates are building toward solid middle-class earnings with minimal debt burden. The 0.28 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates could theoretically pay off their loans in about three months of earnings—among the most favorable debt pictures you'll find in vocational training.

The tradeoff here is clear: students accept below-average starting wages in exchange for low debt and solid upward mobility. By year four, earnings approach what top performers earn right out of the gate. For students prioritizing immediate workforce entry with minimal financial risk, particularly those from lower-income backgrounds, this represents a practical path into skilled trades. Just understand your child will likely need that first year or two to build experience before seeing typical electrician wages.