Electrical/Electronics Maintenance and Repair Technology (Associate's Degree) at Piedmont Technical College

Est. Earnings (1yr)

$45,298

Est. from national median (20 programs)

Est. Median Debt

$12,000

Est. from national median (6 programs)

Analysis

Similar programs across South Carolina suggest first-year earnings around $52,000 for electrical maintenance technicians, notably higher than the national benchmark of $45,000 this estimate draws from. That gap matters—if Piedmont Technical College's graduates perform more like their in-state peers at Tri-County Technical College, the debt picture looks quite manageable. If they track closer to the national average, it's still reasonable but less compelling.

The estimated $12,000 debt load sits below both national and state norms for technical programs, which is reassuring given that nearly half of students here receive Pell grants. Comparable programs nationally carry about $15,000 in debt, so even using conservative earnings estimates, graduates would face monthly loan payments around 5-6% of their gross income—a sustainable burden for skilled trades work that typically offers steady employment.

The real question is whether this program connects graduates to South Carolina's industrial corridor as effectively as neighboring technical colleges. Greenwood's manufacturing base should provide opportunities, but without program-specific outcomes, you're banking on Piedmont matching the regional performance rather than the national average. At this debt level, that's not a catastrophic risk, but connecting directly with the college's placement office to understand employer relationships would help clarify whether graduates actually achieve those higher South Carolina wages.

Where Piedmont Technical College Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all electrical/electronics maintenance and repair technology associates's programs nationally

Compare to Similar Programs in South Carolina

Electrical/Electronics Maintenance and Repair Technology associates's programs at peer institutions in South Carolina (8 total in state)

Scroll to see more →

School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)*	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt*	Debt/Earnings
Piedmont Technical CollegeGreenwood	$4,775	$45,298*	—	$12,000*	—
Tri-County Technical CollegePendleton	$4,448	$51,891*	$69,753	—*	—
National Median	—	$45,298*	—	$14,907*	0.33

* Estimated from similar programs

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with electrical/electronics maintenance and repair technology graduates

Electric Motor, Power Tool, and Related Repairers

Repair, maintain, or install electric motors, wiring, or switches.

$71,270/yrJobs growth:

Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Commercial and Industrial Equipment

Repair, test, adjust, or install electronic equipment, such as industrial controls, transmitters, and antennas.

$71,270/yrJobs growth:

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:

Radio, Cellular, and Tower Equipment Installers and Repairers

Repair, install, or maintain mobile or stationary radio transmitting, broadcasting, and receiving equipment, and two-way radio communications systems used in cellular telecommunications, mobile broadband, ship-to-shore, aircraft-to-ground communications, and radio equipment in service and emergency vehicles. May test and analyze network coverage.

$64,310/yrJobs growth:

Telecommunications Equipment Installers and Repairers, Except Line Installers

Install, set up, rearrange, or remove switching, distribution, routing, and dialing equipment used in central offices or headends. Service or repair telephone, cable television, Internet, and other communications equipment on customers' property. May install communications equipment or communications wiring in buildings.

$64,310/yrJobs growth:

Telecommunications Line Installers and Repairers

Install and repair telecommunications cable, including fiber optics.

$64,310/yrJobs growth:

Semiconductor Processing Technicians

Perform any or all of the following functions in the manufacture of electronic semiconductors: load semiconductor material into furnace; saw formed ingots into segments; load individual segment into crystal growing chamber and monitor controls; locate crystal axis in ingot using x-ray equipment and saw ingots into wafers; and clean, polish, and load wafers into series of special purpose furnaces, chemical baths, and equipment used to form circuitry and change conductive properties.

$51,180/yrJobs growth:High school diploma or equivalent

Communications Equipment Operators, All Other

All communications equipment operators not listed separately.

Computer, Automated Teller, and Office Machine Repairers

Repair, maintain, or install computers, word processing systems, automated teller machines, and electronic office machines, such as duplicating and fax machines.

Audiovisual Equipment Installers and Repairers

Install, repair, or adjust audio or television receivers, stereo systems, camcorders, video systems, or other electronic entertainment equipment in homes or other venues. May perform routine maintenance.

Security and Fire Alarm Systems Installers

Install, program, maintain, and repair security and fire alarm wiring and equipment. Ensure that work is in accordance with relevant codes.

Home Appliance Repairers

Repair, adjust, or install all types of electric or gas household appliances, such as refrigerators, washers, dryers, and ovens.

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 Piedmont Technical College, approximately 48% 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 20 similar programs. Actual outcomes may vary.