Heavy Equipment Technology at Lincoln Technical Institute-South Plainfield

South Plainfield, NJ · Private for-profit · Certificate · Heavy/Industrial Equipment Maintenance Technologies

with a smaller student body of 324 in South Plainfield, NJ.

Program Analysis

Starting salaries of $42,213/yr fall 18% below the $51,528 national median for Heavy Equipment Technology. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.

The 24% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Heavy Equipment Technology career paths face changes, but the trade's physical demands provide a buffer.

At $12,000 in median debt against $42,213 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance quickly — a hallmark of affordable trade programs.

A #66 ranking among 80 Heavy Equipment Technology programs places Lincoln Technical Institute-South Plainfield in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

A 30% earnings increase from $42,213 to $55,025 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

The 67 apprenticeship pathways connected to Heavy Equipment Technology reflect strong industry infrastructure for this trade. Apprenticeships typically lead to journeyman-level wages.

53 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
52
Low End
53
Score
54
High End
Earnings $42,213/yr (-18% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (89% shielded)
Job Market Large (80,400 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$579K
6.9% annual growth
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.

Median Debt at Graduation
$12,000
3.4 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$55,025
30% 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

From day-one roles to senior positions, Heavy Equipment Technology careers span a range of specializations. Read the complete outlook for graduates entering skilled trades.

Read the full Heavy Equipment Technology career guide →

Compare & Explore

Heavy Equipment Technology Overview

Heavy Equipment Technology at Other Schools

Other Majors at Lincoln Technical Institute-South Plainfield

Considering a 4-Year Degree Instead?

Compare how bachelor's degree graduates fare on earnings, ROI, and AI resilience.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Heavy Equipment Technology at Lincoln Technical Institute-South Plainfield?
A score of 53/100 reflects decent absolute metrics, but Lincoln Technical Institute-South Plainfield trails the majority of Heavy Equipment Technology programs on relative rankings. Context matters more than the raw number.
Will AI replace Heavy Equipment Technology jobs?
AI resilience is a strength here. Only 11% of Heavy Equipment Technology tasks overlap with AI capabilities, and 9 of 9 career paths remain viable even in our most conservative scenario.
What's the typical debt for Heavy Equipment Technology graduates from Lincoln Technical Institute-South Plainfield?
At $12,000 in median debt, Heavy Equipment Technology graduates from Lincoln Technical Institute-South Plainfield carry minimal financial burden. The debt-to-income ratio of 0.3x is well below the trade program average.
Why are Heavy Equipment Technology earnings lower at Lincoln Technical Institute-South Plainfield?
First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.
Should I consider an apprenticeship over a Heavy Equipment Technology program at Lincoln Technical Institute-South Plainfield?
Yes — 67 registered apprenticeship programs are mapped to Heavy Equipment Technology career paths, including Accessibility And Private Residence Lift Technician. Apprenticeships offer paid on-the-job training as an alternative or complement to a program at Lincoln Technical Institute-South Plainfield.
How many job openings are there for Heavy Equipment Technology graduates?
At 80,400 annual openings, Heavy Equipment Technology has a large employment base. Lincoln Technical Institute-South Plainfield graduates benefit from broad demand, particularly given infrastructure investment and steady replacement demand as workers retire.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →