Heavy Equipment Technology at Athens Technical College

Athens, GA · Public · Certificate · Heavy/Industrial Equipment Maintenance Technologies

with a smaller student body of 3,153 in Athens, GA.

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $47,206/yr, roughly in line with the $51,528 national median for Heavy Equipment Technology. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 155.7x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Heavy Equipment Technology programs nationally.

AI disruption models show minimal impact on this program's career paths. The gap between optimistic and pessimistic scenarios is just 0% — this trade's hands-on core resists automation.

At #19 of 80 nationally, this is a top-5% Heavy Equipment Technology program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

Five-year earnings of $48,206 are relatively flat compared to the $47,206 starting salary — typical of trades with stable but capped salary bands.

Heavy Equipment Technology offers 67 registered apprenticeship pathways — an unusually broad set of earn-while-you-learn alternatives to the classroom track.

71 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
70
Low End
71
Score
71
High End
Earnings $47,206/yr (-8% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (89% shielded)
Job Market Large (80,400 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$494K
1.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
155.7x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
9 of 9
Occupations with strong AI resilience

Projected 10-Year Earnings

Based on actual graduate salary data and Bureau of Labor Statistics growth projections.

Program Tuition (In-State)
$3,172
Out-of-state: $5,572
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$48,206
2% growth from Year 1

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Heavy Equipment Technology graduates by median salary.

Career Path Median Salary Growth AI-ProofAI
Elevator and escalator installers and repairers $106,580 +5.0% 82%
Control and valve installers and repairers, except mechanical door $74,690 +1.3% 87%
Rail car repairers $65,680 +2.8% 90%
Elevator and escalator installers and repairers
$106,580
+5.0% growth 82% AI-proof
Control and valve installers and repairers, except mechanical door
$74,690
+1.3% growth 87% AI-proof
Rail car repairers
$65,680
+2.8% growth 90% AI-proof

View all 9 career paths with full salary data →

Heavy Equipment Technology Career Guide

Explore what Heavy Equipment Technology graduates do, from entry-level roles to long-term career paths across 80 programs nationwide.

Read the full Heavy Equipment Technology career guide →

Compare & Explore

Heavy Equipment Technology Overview

Heavy Equipment Technology at Other Schools

Other Majors at Athens Technical College

Explore the Degree Alternative

Not sure if a trade program or four-year degree fits better? Compare both paths.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Athens Technical College's Heavy Equipment Technology program score?
A score of 71/100 indicates strong financial outcomes. Athens Technical College's Heavy Equipment Technology graduates fare well on earnings, job market size, and return on investment.
How safe is Heavy Equipment Technology from automation?
This is one of the more automation-resistant trades. Heavy Equipment Technology work requires physical skill and on-site presence — qualities AI cannot provide. Athens Technical College's score of 71/100 reflects this durability.
Why does Athens Technical College rank so high for Heavy Equipment Technology?
Ranked #19 of 80 programs nationally, Athens Technical College lands in the top 25%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
Can I learn Heavy Equipment Technology through an apprenticeship instead of Athens Technical College?
If Athens Technical College's tuition gives you pause, consider that 67 DOL-registered apprenticeship pathways exist for Heavy Equipment Technology. You'd earn while training, avoiding student debt entirely — though completion takes longer than a certificate program.
How many job openings are there for Heavy Equipment Technology graduates?
With approximately 80,400 annual openings across mapped careers, Heavy Equipment Technology offers a large employment pool. Athens Technical College graduates enter a market shaped by infrastructure investment and steady replacement demand as workers retire.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →