Electrical and Power Transmission Installers at Spokane Community College

Spokane Community College's electrical power transmission program punches well above its weight nationally while keeping costs remarkably low. First-year graduates earn $66,921 with just $5,383 in debt—that's a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.08, meaning graduates could theoretically pay off their debt with less than a month's salary. Compared to the national median of $38,716, these graduates earn nearly 73% more right out of the gate.

The Washington state picture reveals an important nuance. While this program ranks in the 95th percentile nationally, it sits at the 60th percentile among Washington's seven electrical power programs, where the state median is already a strong $62,192. In other words, Washington's utility sector pays well across the board, and Spokane positions graduates slightly above that elevated baseline—at about $4,700 more than the state median. The debt advantage is even clearer: Spokane's typical graduate owes less than half the state median of $11,933.

For parents evaluating this path, the math is straightforward. Your child gets trained for a specialized, well-compensated trade with minimal debt burden, positioning them to start building wealth immediately. The moderate sample size suggests stable outcomes, and the fact that 28% of students receive Pell grants indicates the program successfully serves students from various economic backgrounds. This is exactly what a community college credential should deliver—strong earnings potential without the debt albatross.