Accounting and Related Services at Wake Technical Community College

Raleigh, NC · Public · Certificate

with a mid-sized student body of 18,605 in Raleigh, NC.

Program Analysis

Wake Technical Community College's Accounting and Related Services graduates start at $38,258/yr — above the $35,807 national average, though not by a wide margin.

With a 204.4x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 21% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Accounting and Related Services career paths face changes, but the trade's physical demands provide a buffer.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $14,625 in median debt clears fast against $38,258 in annual earnings.

Wake Technical Community College ranks #7 among 176 Accounting and Related Services programs, placing it in the top 5% nationally by our financial outcomes measure.

A 27% earnings increase from $38,258 to $48,420 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

The 5 apprenticeship pathways connected to Accounting and Related Services reflect strong industry infrastructure for this trade. Apprenticeships typically lead to journeyman-level wages.

80 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
72
Low End
80
Score
82
High End
Earnings $38,258/yr (7% vs median)
AI-Proof Exposed (38% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (451,900 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$506K
6.1% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
216.5x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
13 of 14
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)
$2,336
Out-of-state: $7,582
Median Debt at Graduation
$14,625
4.6 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$48,420
27% growth from Year 1

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Accounting and Related Services graduates by median salary.

Career Path Median Salary Growth AI-ProofAI
Financial managers $161,700 +14.8% 50%
Financial risk specialists $106,000 +6.5% 47%
Financial and investment analysts $101,350 +5.7% 54%
Financial managers
$161,700
+14.8% growth 50% AI-proof
Financial risk specialists
$106,000
+6.5% growth 47% AI-proof
Financial and investment analysts
$101,350
+5.7% growth 54% AI-proof

View all 14 career paths with full salary data →

About Accounting and Related Services Careers

Your career will likely start in a role like a bookkeeping or accounting clerk, where your day-to-day involves using software like QuickBooks to reconcile bank statements, manage invoices, and process payroll for a small business or as part of a larger corporate team. You’ll be the person ensuring the financial data is accurate and organized.

Read the full Accounting and Related Services career guide →

Compare & Explore

Accounting and Related Services Overview

Accounting and Related Services at Other Schools

Other Majors at Wake Technical Community College

Trade Certificate vs. Bachelor's Degree

Weigh shorter time-to-career against higher earning ceilings. The numbers tell the story.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Wake Technical Community College's Accounting and Related Services program score?
At 80/100, this is a high-performing trade program. The TradeSchoolOutlook Score combines earnings, AI resilience, and ROI — and this program delivers on all three.
Will AI affect Accounting and Related Services careers?
AI won't 'replace' Accounting and Related Services careers outright, but it is likely to reduce job openings. We model 62% task exposure, which compresses employment probability in our scenarios.
What makes Wake Technical Community College's Accounting and Related Services program stand out?
The #7 ranking out of 176 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable, and the job market supports this trade.
Are there apprenticeship options for Accounting and Related Services?
Yes — 5 registered apprenticeship programs are mapped to Accounting and Related Services career paths, including Accounting Technician (Alternate Title: Accounting Specialist). Apprenticeships offer paid on-the-job training as an alternative or complement to certificate programs.
Is there demand for Accounting and Related Services workers?
The career paths mapped to Accounting and Related Services have roughly 451,900 combined annual openings nationally, making this a very large job market. Trade careers in this field benefit from consistent replacement demand as workers retire.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →