Energy Systems Technologies/Technicians, Other.
Data details: Graduation rate, gender, ethnicity, and summary are for this specific degree (6-digit CIP) from IPEDS. Salary, debt, and related financial outcomes are based on the degree category (4-digit CIP) from the College Scorecard API. ← Back to search
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Debt to Income Ratio
Why Energy Systems Technologies/Technicians, Other. stands out: With a debt-to-income ratio of just 37.1%, graduates of this program typically enjoy manageable student loan payments compared to their first-year earnings. This low ratio means that, on average, students who complete Energy Systems Technologies/Technicians, Other. can expect to pay off their student debt faster and with less financial stress than most other fields. Programs with a DTI below 0.5 are considered excellent by financial experts, making this degree a smart investment for your future.
For example, with a median salary of $45799 and average student debt of $16974, the financial outlook for Energy Systems Technologies/Technicians, Other. graduates is especially strong in .
Key Insights
Wondering if Energy Systems Technologies/Technicians, Other. is right for you? This degree is designed for students who want both knowledge and practical experience. Most graduates see starting salaries near $45799, and the average student debt is $16974, with a debt-to-income ratio of 0.37—a strong position for financial independence.
With an annual graduating class of 1230 students, you’ll be part of a dynamic student body. Whether you’re looking for upward mobility, a chance to innovate, or a degree that’s respected in the job market, Energy Systems Technologies/Technicians, Other. delivers. Take advantage of every resource your school offers to maximize your success!
Degree Overview
Energy Systems Technologies/Technicians, Other (CIP 15.1799) is an interdisciplinary field focused on the integration, maintenance, and optimization of diverse energy sources. While traditional roles might focus solely on one type of power, professionals in this "Other" category are "Grid Modernization Experts." They work at the intersection of renewable energy, battery storage, and smart-grid infrastructure. It is a path for "energy pioneers" who want to manage the complex transition from fossil fuels to a diversified, high-tech energy landscape.
This field is ideal for "systems thinkers"—individuals who are fascinated by how power is generated, stored, and moved across cities, and who want to be on the front lines of the global energy transition.
What Is an "Other" Energy Systems Technology Degree?
A degree in this category is an applied STEM path that emphasizes hybrid power systems, industrial automation, and energy efficiency. You will study the physics of electricity and thermodynamics, but your focus will be on the integration of multiple technologies. Because this code houses emerging specialties, your studies might focus on Hydrogen Fuel Cell Maintenance, Microgrid Coordination, or Geothermal System Integration. It prepares you to be the technical expert who ensures that a hospital, data center, or city has reliable, sustainable power 24/7.
Schools offer this degree to:
- Train "Smart Grid Technicians" who manage the digital sensors and switches that balance electricity demand
- Develop experts in Energy Storage Systems, focusing on industrial-scale battery arrays and thermal storage
- Prepare professionals for Building-to-Grid (B2G) Integration, where "smart" buildings feed solar power back to the city
- Study Carbon Capture and Co-generation, maximizing the efficiency of traditional power plants while reducing their footprint
What Will You Learn?
Students learn that energy is no longer a "one-way street" from a power plant to a home; it is a complex, circular network of generation, storage, and conservation.
Core Skills You’ll Build
Most students learn to:
- Master Power Electronics—understanding the inverters and converters that turn solar DC into grid AC
- Use "Energy Modeling Software" to predict how much power a wind or solar site will produce
- Design Microgrid Controls that allow a facility to run independently of the main power grid during a blackout
- Perform Load Analysis—calculating the energy "appetite" of a factory or neighborhood
- Utilize SCADA Systems (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) to monitor energy flows in real-time
- Understand High-Voltage Safety—the rigorous protocols required to work around industrial power systems
Topics You May Explore
Coursework is a blend of electrical engineering, environmental science, and digital logic:
- Renewable Energy Physics: The science of how light, wind, and heat are converted into electrons.
- Grid-Interactive Buildings: Learning how automated HVAC and lighting systems can reduce grid strain.
- Advanced Battery Chemistry: Understanding the lifecycle and maintenance of lithium-ion and flow batteries.
- Bioenergy and Fuel Cells: Exploring the chemical processes that turn organic matter or hydrogen into power.
- Industrial Networking: The "Industrial Internet of Things" (IIoT) that connects power devices to the web.
- Energy Policy and Economics: Understanding carbon credits, utility rates, and the laws governing energy sales.
What Jobs Can You Get With This Degree?
Graduates find roles as specialized technicians, grid analysts, and field service managers in the rapidly growing "Green Tech" sector.
Common job roles include:
- Smart Grid Technician: Maintaining the digital infrastructure and automated switches of a modern utility.
- Energy Storage Specialist: Managing the installation and health of large-scale battery "farms."
- Microgrid Operator: Overseeing the independent power systems for military bases, hospitals, or university campuses.
- Energy Auditor: Using thermal cameras and sensors to find where large facilities are wasting power.
- Field Service Engineer: Traveling to repair and optimize hybrid energy systems for corporate clients.
- Sustainability Coordinator: Helping companies implement technical solutions to meet "Net Zero" energy goals.
Where Can You Work?
Energy systems technologists are the "electricians of the future" in several sectors:
- Utility Companies: Working for firms like NextEra Energy, PG&E, or Duke Energy to modernize the grid.
- Renewable Energy Developers: Managing the technical side of solar and wind installations for firms like Tesla or Ørsted.
- Large Tech Corporations: Ensuring data centers (like those for Amazon or Google) have 100% reliable green power.
- Manufacturing and Heavy Industry: Managing the massive energy needs of steel mills, chemical plants, and auto factories.
- Government and Municipalities: Working on city-wide energy resilience and "Smart City" projects.
How Much Can You Earn?
Because this field requires a mix of "Old School" electrical skill and "New School" digital expertise, salaries are highly competitive.
- Smart Grid/Energy Technologists: Median annual salary of approximately $70,000–$95,000.
- Senior Energy Analysts: Salaries typically range from $85,000 to $120,000+.
- Field Service Leads: Median annual salary of around $78,000–$110,000.
- Entry-Level Technicians: Often start between $55,000 and $70,000.
Is This Degree Hard?
The difficulty is in the mathematical and logical integration. You must be proficient in Algebra and Physics (specifically electromagnetism and thermodynamics). It requires a multidisciplinary mindset—you have to understand how a mechanical wind turbine affects an electrical transformer, which is then controlled by a digital software script. It is a very active, lab-heavy major that requires a high degree of safety consciousness, as you will be working with high-voltage power systems.
Who Should Consider This Degree?
This degree may be a good fit if you:
- Are passionate about solving the climate crisis through technology rather than just policy
- Love the idea of "The Big Machine"—the massive, interconnected power grid
- Enjoy working with your hands but also want to be a "computer person"
- Want a career that is "recession-proof"—because society will always need reliable energy
- Are a "natural tinkerer" who loves understanding how electricity flows through different components
How to Prepare in High School
- Take Physics, Algebra, and Environmental Science; they provide the core logic of the field
- Join a robotics or "Green Team" club; practice building solar-powered chargers or sensors
- Learn basic coding (Python or C++); software is what makes the "Smart Grid" smart
- Get comfortable with Multimeters and Basic Electronics—learn to measure voltage and resistance safely
- Read about Energy Storage and Hydrogen to see where the cutting edge of the industry is moving
The ability to apply technical mastery and systems logic to the creation of a resilient, sustainable energy future is the hallmark of a successful professional in this field.
Personality Fit (RIASEC Profile)
Official assessment tool by the U.S. Department of Labor