Energy Systems Technologies/Technicians at Iowa Lakes Community College

Estherville, IA · Public · Associate Degree

with a smaller student body of 995 in Estherville, IA.

Program Analysis

At $60,039/yr, Energy Systems Technologies/Technicians graduates from Iowa Lakes Community College land near the $62,221 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.

With a 44.4x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 2% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Energy Systems Technologies/Technicians career paths face changes, but the trade's physical demands provide a buffer.

Energy Systems Technologies/Technicians is offered at just 5 schools in our analysis. Iowa Lakes Community College's #3 ranking should be read in that context.

The 23 apprenticeship pathways connected to Energy Systems Technologies/Technicians reflect strong industry infrastructure for this trade. Apprenticeships typically lead to journeyman-level wages.

58 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
57
Low End
58
Score
59
High End
Earnings $60,039/yr (-4% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (78% shielded)
Job Market Medium (19,100 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$643K
1.5% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
44.7x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
6 of 6
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)
$14,392
Out-of-state: $15,288

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Energy Systems Technologies/Technicians graduates by median salary.

Career Path Median Salary Growth AI-ProofAI
Electrical and electronics repairers, powerhouse, substation, and relay $100,940 +5.5% 66%
Power plant operators $99,670 -11.2% 90%
Commercial and industrial designers $79,450 +3.2% 53%
Electrical and electronics repairers, powerhouse, substation, and relay
$100,940
+5.5% growth 66% AI-proof
Power plant operators
$99,670
-11.2% growth 90% AI-proof
Commercial and industrial designers
$79,450
+3.2% growth 53% AI-proof

View all 6 career paths with full salary data →

About Energy Systems Technologies/Technicians Careers

Your work will put you at the center of our energy future. You might spend your day hundreds of feet in the air, harnessed in, using torque wrenches and diagnostic software to service the massive blades of a wind turbine. Or you could be on a commercial rooftop, laying out racking systems and wiring solar panels into the grid. You’ll typically start as an apprentice, learning the ropes from seasoned pros, before advancing to a journeyman role where you work more independently.

Read the full Energy Systems Technologies/Technicians career guide →

Compare & Explore

Energy Systems Technologies/Technicians Overview

Energy Systems Technologies/Technicians at Other Schools

Other Majors at Iowa Lakes Community College

How Does a Bachelor's Degree Compare?

Four-year programs take longer but may unlock different career trajectories. See the data.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Iowa Lakes Community College's Energy Systems Technologies/Technicians program score?
A score of 58/100 reflects decent absolute metrics, but Iowa Lakes Community College trails the majority of Energy Systems Technologies/Technicians programs on relative rankings. Context matters more than the raw number.
Can I learn Energy Systems Technologies/Technicians through an apprenticeship instead?
Energy Systems Technologies/Technicians connects to 23 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.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →