Electrical and Power Transmission Installers at Southern Careers Institute-San Antonio

Texas electrical installation programs vary wildly in outcomes, and Southern Careers Institute-San Antonio sits near the bottom of that range. While first-year earnings of $25,267 match the state median—putting it at the 60th percentile among Texas programs—this same school location lags far behind what stronger programs deliver. Western Texas College graduates earn $68,077, and even Texas State Technical College nearly doubles SCI's outcomes at $56,597.

The national picture is starker: this program ranks in just the 10th percentile for earnings among electrical installation certificates nationwide, where the typical graduate earns $38,716. The modest debt load of $7,125 helps—it's below the national median and creates a manageable 0.28 debt-to-earnings ratio—but low debt can't compensate for earnings that leave graduates struggling to gain financial traction in a field that should offer middle-class wages.

For a family considering electrical trades training in San Antonio, this represents a crucial fork in the road. The difference between choosing this program and driving to a stronger technical college could mean an additional $30,000-40,000 in annual earning power. With 65% of students receiving Pell grants, many families here are counting on training that launches careers, not just awards credentials. The certificate costs less, but other Texas programs prove it's possible to earn significantly more in this field right from the start.