Environmental Technology at Southern Careers Institute-San Antonio

San Antonio, TX · Private for-profit · Certificate · Environmental Control Technologies/Technicians

a smaller institution with 939 students in San Antonio, TX.

Program Analysis

Starting salaries of $32,421/yr fall 15% below the $38,197 national median for Environmental Technology. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.

AI risk is moderate — 24% task exposure — and the 10% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook for Environmental Technology graduates.

At $9,500 in median debt against $32,421 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance quickly — a hallmark of affordable trade programs.

At #55 out of 63 programs, Southern Careers Institute-San Antonio's financial outcomes for Environmental Technology trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

Earnings growth is modest: $32,421 to $36,986 over five years (14% gain). This trade may have a lower salary ceiling than high-growth professions.

With 30 registered apprenticeships mapped to Environmental Technology, graduates have substantial options for hands-on training paths that pay from day one.

46 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
44
Low End
46
Score
48
High End
Earnings $32,421/yr (-15% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (76% shielded)
Job Market Large (68,200 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$378K
3.4% annual growth
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.

Median Debt at Graduation
$9,500
3.5 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$36,986
14% growth from Year 1

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Environmental Technology graduates by median salary.

Career Path Median Salary Growth AI-ProofAI
Engineering technologists and technicians, except drafters, all other $77,390 +1.5% 76%
Heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers $59,810 +8.1% 89%
Environmental engineering technologists and technicians $58,890 +1.2% 59%
Engineering technologists and technicians, except drafters, all other
$77,390
+1.5% growth 76% AI-proof
Heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers
$59,810
+8.1% growth 89% AI-proof
Environmental engineering technologists and technicians
$58,890
+1.2% growth 59% AI-proof

View all 6 career paths with full salary data →

Environmental Technology Career Guide

Environmental Technology opens doors to multiple career tracks. Our pillar guide covers every mapped occupation with salary data and AI resilience ratings.

Read the full Environmental Technology career guide →

Compare & Explore

Environmental Technology Overview

Environmental Technology at Other Schools

Other Majors at Southern Careers Institute-San Antonio

Considering a 4-Year Degree Instead?

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

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Southern Careers Institute-San Antonio's Environmental Technology program score?
This program scores 46/100 — on the lower end for Environmental Technology. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
What's the typical debt for Environmental Technology graduates from Southern Careers Institute-San Antonio?
Median debt of just $9,500 against $32,421/yr in starting salary means graduates can clear their loans in under 4 months. This is one of the more affordable paths in our dataset.
Can you still earn well with Environmental Technology from Southern Careers Institute-San Antonio?
Starting salary is one data point. If Southern Careers Institute-San Antonio's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.
Can I learn Environmental Technology through an apprenticeship instead of Southern Careers Institute-San Antonio?
The DOL recognizes 30 apprenticeship pathways related to Environmental Technology. For students weighing Southern Careers Institute-San Antonio's program cost against alternatives, apprenticeships offer zero-tuition entry with paid employment from day one.
What's the job market like for Environmental Technology from Southern Careers Institute-San Antonio?
At 68,200 annual openings, Environmental Technology has a large employment base. Southern Careers Institute-San Antonio graduates benefit from broad demand, particularly given ongoing digital transformation and technology adoption.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →