by our College Data Analytics TeamLearn the key facts every energy systems technologies major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering energy systems technologies programs.
Nationwide, energy systems technologies draws strong interest, with 1,285 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Energy Systems Technologies Schools ranking analyzes these 121 schools to determine the best overall colleges for energy systems technologies students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of energy systems technologies programs later in this article.
Programs in Energy Systems Technologies develop a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations energy systems technologies graduates commonly enter.
The skill set built by a energy systems technologies program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Based on O*NET data, a energy systems technologies major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several energy systems technologies degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 190 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 311 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 189 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 480 |
People currently working in careers related to energy systems technologies tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| High school diploma or equivalent | 40.4% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 21.7% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 14.6% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 11.5% |
| Some college courses | 8.1% |
| Master’s degree | 1.3% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 1.2% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 1.2% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in energy systems technologies careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
A degree in energy systems technologies opens doors to many career paths. These are some of the most common occupations related to energy systems technologies.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to energy systems technologies.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Power Plant Operators | 808,707 | 10.6% |
| Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Powerhouse, Substation, and Relay | 523,745 | -1.2% |
| Wind Turbine Service Technicians | 488,197 | 14.9% |
| Commercial and Industrial Designers | 387,029 | 12.4% |
| Solar Photovoltaic Installers | 360,116 | 4.2% |
| Photonics Technicians | 306,018 | 1.6% |
| Hydroelectric Plant Technicians | 295,730 | 10.6% |
| Non-Destructive Testing Specialists | 295,668 | 3.0% |
Federal data tracks median earnings of energy systems technologies graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. These numbers tend to grow as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $64,973 |
| 4 years | $59,663 |
| 5 years | $66,892 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for energy systems technologies graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers energy systems technologies grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other | $121,642 |
| Photonics Technicians | $106,964 |
| Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Powerhouse, Substation, and Relay | $89,975 |
| Wind Turbine Service Technicians | $74,051 |
| Non-Destructive Testing Specialists | $57,631 |
| Commercial and Industrial Designers | $56,384 |
| Biomass Plant Technicians | $56,327 |
| Hydroelectric Plant Technicians | $52,705 |
With 121 different energy systems technologies programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased energy systems technologies school rankings to help you.
If you are interested in energy systems technologies, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
