Electrical Installation at Tidewater Community College

Norfolk, VA · Public · Certificate · Electrical and Power Transmission Installers

enrolling 11,797 students in Norfolk, VA.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $36,232 place Tidewater Community College below the $43,305 national median for Electrical Installation — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.

With a 66.3x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 0% spread between best and worst-case AI scenarios signals strong resilience. Most careers in Electrical Installation involve physical, hands-on work that current AI cannot replicate.

A #84 ranking among 214 Electrical Installation programs places Tidewater Community College in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.

The 31 apprenticeship pathways connected to Electrical Installation reflect strong industry infrastructure for this trade. Apprenticeships typically lead to journeyman-level wages.

67 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
65
Low End
67
Score
67
High End
Earnings $36,232/yr (-16% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (78% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (230,700 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$379K
1.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
66.3x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
7 of 7
Occupations with strong AI resilience

Projected 10-Year Earnings

Based on actual graduate salary data and Bureau of Labor Statistics growth projections.

Program Tuition (In-State)
$5,714
Out-of-state: $11,717

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Electrical Installation graduates by median salary.

Career Path Median Salary Growth AI-ProofAI
Electrical and electronics repairers, powerhouse, substation, and relay $100,940 +5.5% 66%
Electrical power-line installers and repairers $92,560 +6.6% 100%
Signal and track switch repairers $83,600 +1.7% 92%
Electrical and electronics repairers, powerhouse, substation, and relay
$100,940
+5.5% growth 66% AI-proof
Electrical power-line installers and repairers
$92,560
+6.6% growth 100% AI-proof
Signal and track switch repairers
$83,600
+1.7% growth 92% AI-proof

View all 7 career paths with full salary data →

Electrical Installation Career Guide

What can you do with a Electrical Installation credential from Tidewater Community College? Our career guide maps every occupation path with earnings and growth data.

Read the full Electrical Installation career guide →

Compare & Explore

Electrical Installation Overview

Electrical Installation at Other Schools

Other Majors at Tidewater Community College

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Tidewater Community College's Electrical Installation program score?
A score of 67/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the Electrical Installation field.
Will AI replace Electrical Installation jobs?
AI resilience is a strength here. Only 22% of Electrical Installation tasks overlap with AI capabilities, and 7 of 7 career paths remain viable even in our most conservative scenario.
Why are Electrical Installation earnings lower at Tidewater Community College?
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.
Can I learn Electrical Installation through an apprenticeship instead of Tidewater Community College?
The DOL recognizes 31 apprenticeship pathways related to Electrical Installation. For students weighing Tidewater Community College's program cost against alternatives, apprenticeships offer zero-tuition entry with paid employment from day one.
Is there demand for Electrical Installation workers?
With approximately 230,700 annual openings across mapped careers, Electrical Installation offers a very large employment pool. Tidewater Community College 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 →