Building/Construction Finishing at Employment Solutions-College for Technical Education

Lexington, KY · Private nonprofit · Certificate · Building/Construction Finishing, Management, and Inspection

a compact campus enrolling 200 students in Lexington, KY.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $25,158 place Employment Solutions-College for Technical Education below the $36,481 national median for Building/Construction Finishing — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.

AI risk is moderate — 14% task exposure — and the 18% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook for Building/Construction Finishing graduates.

With first-year pay of $25,158 far exceeding the $11,093 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

At #37 out of 44 programs, Employment Solutions-College for Technical Education's financial outcomes for Building/Construction Finishing trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $25,158 to $30,885 shows 23% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

With 60 registered apprenticeships mapped to Building/Construction Finishing, graduates have substantial options for hands-on training paths that pay from day one.

57 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
55
Low End
57
Score
58
High End
Earnings $25,158/yr (-31% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (86% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (392,900 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$320K
5.3% annual growth
Viable Career Paths
22 of 22
Occupations with strong AI resilience

Projected 10-Year Earnings

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

Median Debt at Graduation
$11,093
5.3 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$30,885
23% growth from Year 1

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Building/Construction Finishing graduates by median salary.

Career Path Median Salary Growth AI-ProofAI
Facilities managers $104,690 +3.8% 52%
First-line supervisors of construction trades and extraction workers $78,690 +5.3% 57%
Construction and building inspectors $72,120 -0.8% 57%
Facilities managers
$104,690
+3.8% growth 52% AI-proof
First-line supervisors of construction trades and extraction workers
$78,690
+5.3% growth 57% AI-proof
Construction and building inspectors
$72,120
-0.8% growth 57% AI-proof

View all 22 career paths with full salary data →

About Building/Construction Finishing Careers

You’ll start by solving tangible problems on active job sites. As a maintenance worker or painter, your day involves hands-on tasks: troubleshooting a building’s electrical systems with a multimeter, prepping surfaces, or applying the final coats of paint that make a project complete. With experience, you can advance to a First-Line Supervisor role. Here, your focus shifts from using tools to managing teams, coordinating schedules from blueprints, and ensuring job site safety and quality standards are met.

Read the full Building/Construction Finishing career guide →

Compare & Explore

Building/Construction Finishing Overview

Building/Construction Finishing at Other Schools

Other Majors at Employment Solutions-College for Technical Education

Explore the Degree Alternative

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 57/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Building/Construction Finishing at Employment Solutions-College for Technical Education?
A score of 57/100 reflects decent absolute metrics, but Employment Solutions-College for Technical Education trails the majority of Building/Construction Finishing programs on relative rankings. Context matters more than the raw number.
How AI-proof is a career in Building/Construction Finishing?
This is one of the more automation-resistant trades. Building/Construction Finishing work requires physical skill and on-site presence — qualities AI cannot provide. Our model rates it "AI-Proof" overall.
Why are Building/Construction Finishing earnings lower at Employment Solutions-College for Technical Education?
Starting salary is one data point. If Employment Solutions-College for Technical Education's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.
What apprenticeship pathways exist for Building/Construction Finishing graduates?
Building/Construction Finishing connects to 60 apprenticeship pathways. These DOL-registered programs combine structured training with paid employment — a strong alternative for students who prefer hands-on learning over classroom instruction.
Is there demand for Building/Construction Finishing workers?
The career paths mapped to Building/Construction Finishing have roughly 392,900 combined annual openings nationally, making this a very large job market. Trade careers in this field benefit from consistent replacement demand as workers retire.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →