Heavy Equipment Technology at Ranken Technical College

Saint Louis, MO · Private nonprofit · Associate Degree · Heavy/Industrial Equipment Maintenance Technologies

with a smaller student body of 1,695 in Saint Louis, MO.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $52,300 track close to the $51,528 national median for Heavy Equipment Technology programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.

With a 17.4x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 11% spread between best and worst-case AI scenarios signals strong resilience. Most careers in Heavy Equipment Technology involve physical, hands-on work that current AI cannot replicate.

At $12,000 in median debt against $52,300 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance quickly — a hallmark of affordable trade programs.

A #65 ranking among 80 Heavy Equipment Technology programs places Ranken Technical College in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

The limited growth from $52,300 to $60,187 over five years suggests earnings in this trade plateau relatively early in one's career.

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
51
Low End
53
Score
53
High End
Earnings $52,300/yr (1% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (89% shielded)
Job Market Large (80,400 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$616K
3.6% annual growth
Earnings Multiple
17.6x
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
$34,980
Median Debt at Graduation
$12,000
2.8 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$60,187
15% 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 Ranken Technical College

Considering a 4-Year Degree Instead?

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 53/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Heavy Equipment Technology at Ranken Technical College?
This program scores 53/100 — a respectable number in isolation, but it ranks in the bottom half of Heavy Equipment Technology programs nationally. The field is competitive, and stronger options exist.
Will AI replace Heavy Equipment Technology jobs?
Heavy Equipment Technology rates as "AI-Proof" for AI resilience. With only 11% of tasks exposed to automation, the trade's physical demands provide a natural shield against AI displacement.
How affordable is Heavy Equipment Technology at Ranken Technical College?
Median debt of just $12,000 against $52,300/yr in starting salary means graduates can clear their loans in under 3 months. This is one of the more affordable paths in our dataset.
Are there apprenticeship options for Heavy Equipment Technology?
Beyond Ranken Technical College's classroom route, 67 registered apprenticeships map to Heavy Equipment Technology careers — including Accessibility And Private Residence Lift Technician. Apprenticeships trade shorter program length for longer on-the-job training, typically 2-4 years.
Is there demand for Heavy Equipment Technology workers?
Job availability for Heavy Equipment Technology is strong — 80,400 positions open annually across the mapped career paths. For Ranken Technical College graduates specifically, local market conditions in MO may shift the picture.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →