Plumbing at Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Elizabethton
a compact campus enrolling 497 students in Elizabethton, TN.
Program Analysis
Starting salaries of $27,133/yr fall 36% below the $42,600 national median for Plumbing. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.
The 33% gap between optimistic and pessimistic AI scenarios is notable. With 13% of typical tasks exposed to automation, AI adoption could meaningfully shift career outcomes for Plumbing graduates.
Ranked #16 of 19 Plumbing programs, Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Elizabethton falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.
Earnings grow from $27,133 to $39,045 over five years — a 44% increase that's moderate and in line with typical trade career progression.
Plumbing offers 22 registered apprenticeship pathways — an unusually broad set of earn-while-you-learn alternatives to the classroom track.
Earnings Overview
Projected 10-Year Earnings
Based on actual graduate salary data and Bureau of Labor Statistics growth projections.
Top Career Paths
Top career paths for Plumbing graduates by median salary.
| Career Path | Median Salary | Growth | AI-ProofAI |
|---|---|---|---|
| First-line supervisors of construction trades and extraction workers | $78,690 | +5.3% | 57% |
| Rotary drill operators, oil and gas | $65,010 | +0.2% | 95% |
| Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters | $62,970 | +4.5% | 95% |
Plumbing Career Guide
Explore what Plumbing graduates do, from entry-level roles to long-term career paths across 19 programs nationwide.