by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 118 U.S. colleges awarded 1,123 degrees and certificates in Energy Systems Technologies. Master’s degrees are the most popular award, at 47% of graduates. College Factual ranks 36 schools in its 2027 Best Energy Systems Technologies Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $64,973 one year after completing, rising to $80,513 after four years.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
Nationwide, energy systems technologies draws strong interest, with 1,123 degrees awarded annually. 118 colleges award energy systems technologies degrees, an average of 10 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 51.
By level, the 1,123 awards include 136 certificates, 251 associate degrees, 143 bachelor’s degrees and 529 master’s degrees.
Women earned 10% of energy systems technologies degrees and certificates in the latest year (118 of 1,123). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (634) and Hispanic or Latino (243), and international students earned 30.
College Factual ranks 36 schools in its 2027 Best Energy Systems Technologies Schools ranking, including 9 for associate degrees, 5 for bachelor’s degrees and 2 for master’s degrees. It also ranks energy systems technologies schools within 8 states. In all, 118 colleges offer energy systems technologies programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Energy Systems Technologies Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common energy systems technologies credential is the master’s degree: 529 of the 1,123 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to energy systems technologies call most for Critical Thinking, Reading Comprehension and Operations Monitoring, and for knowledge of Engineering and Technology, Mechanical and English Language, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Problem Sensitivity, Near Vision and Oral Comprehension.
Top skills, rated 0–5:
Top knowledge areas, rated 0–5:
How long an energy systems technologies degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 136 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 251 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 143 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 529 |
High school diploma or equivalent is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to energy systems technologies, at 40.4%.
| 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% |
Source: O*NET Online.
10 occupations are related to Energy Systems Technologies, with an average median salary of $69,748; the strongest outlook belongs to Wind Turbine Service Technicians, at 14.9% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Test Technician (Test Tech), Laser Specialist, Installation Technician (Installation Tech) and Strain Technician (Strain Tech).
The occupation related to energy systems technologies with the most projected jobs is Power Plant Operators, at 808,707.
| 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% |
Energy Systems Technologies graduates earn a median $64,973 one year after completing their program, $80,513 after four years and $74,926 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $64,973 |
| 4 years | $80,513 |
| 5 years | $74,926 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The highest-paying occupation related to energy systems technologies is Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other, with a median salary of $121,642.
| 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 |
Energy Systems Technologies includes 5 concentrations that together award 1,123 degrees a year; by graduates, the largest are Energy Systems Technology/Technician (688), Solar Energy Technology/Technician (312) and Power Plant Technology/Technician (74). It has 18 similar majors in the Engineering Technologies field, which together award 97,924 degrees a year; the largest are Electromechanical Technologies/Technicians (13,228), Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians (12,892) and Environmental Control Technologies/Technicians (12,771). Browse all Engineering Technologies majors or the full list of college majors.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
