Heavy Equipment Technology at San Joaquin Valley College-Modesto

Salida, CA · Private for-profit · Certificate · Heavy/Industrial Equipment Maintenance Technologies

a compact campus enrolling 590 students in Salida, CA.

Program Analysis

At $55,314 per year, Heavy Equipment Technology graduates from San Joaquin Valley College-Modesto earn slightly above the $51,528 national median. The premium is real but not dramatic.

With only 11% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, the scenario spread is tight at 15%. Career paths for Heavy Equipment Technology are among the more automation-resistant trades we analyze.

The median debt load of $9,500 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios in vocational education.

At #48 out of 80 programs, San Joaquin Valley College-Modesto's financial outcomes for Heavy Equipment Technology trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

Earnings growth is modest: $55,314 to $65,882 over five years (19% gain). This trade may have a lower salary ceiling than high-growth professions.

With 67 registered apprenticeships mapped to Heavy Equipment Technology, graduates have substantial options for hands-on training paths that pay from day one.

58 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
56
Low End
58
Score
58
High End
Earnings $55,314/yr (7% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (89% shielded)
Job Market Large (80,400 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$679K
4.5% 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
$9,500
2.1 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$65,882
19% 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 San Joaquin Valley College-Modesto

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 San Joaquin Valley College-Modesto's Heavy Equipment Technology program score?
At 58/100, the score looks reasonable — but Heavy Equipment Technology is a high-scoring trade overall. Compared to peers, this program's earnings and ROI fall below the median.
How AI-proof is a career in Heavy Equipment Technology?
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.
How affordable is Heavy Equipment Technology at San Joaquin Valley College-Modesto?
At $9,500 in median debt, Heavy Equipment Technology graduates from San Joaquin Valley College-Modesto carry minimal financial burden. The debt-to-income ratio of 0.2x is well below the trade program average.
Are there apprenticeship options for Heavy Equipment Technology?
If San Joaquin Valley College-Modesto'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.
Will Heavy Equipment Technology graduates from San Joaquin Valley College-Modesto find jobs?
With approximately 80,400 annual openings across mapped careers, Heavy Equipment Technology offers a large employment pool. San Joaquin Valley College-Modesto 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 →