Electrical and Power Transmission Installers at Piedmont Community College

This program shows a significant gap against North Carolina's electrical trades market. While similar programs across the state typically produce median first-year earnings of $57,134—and top performers like Richmond Community College report nearly $74,000—Piedmont's estimated $44,727 falls closer to the national baseline. That's roughly $12,000 less than what other NC electrical programs suggest you might earn, which matters considerably in a field where local labor markets and industry connections drive outcomes.

The estimated $12,000 debt load is manageable with a 0.27 debt-to-earnings ratio, slightly better than the state median. But the real question is whether this program provides access to North Carolina's higher-paying electrical utility and power transmission employers. Comparable programs in the state show enormous variation—from $40,000 to nearly $74,000 in first-year earnings—suggesting that program quality, regional employer relationships, and specific technical certifications make a decisive difference in this field.

Given these estimates place Piedmont below the NC median by over 20%, investigate what distinguishes higher-earning programs: Do they offer specialized certifications in high-voltage work? Have they established apprenticeship pipelines with Duke Energy or other major utilities? With 31 programs in North Carolina to choose from, you'll want concrete evidence that this program's connections and training match what the better-performing peers provide.