by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 76 U.S. colleges awarded 688 degrees and certificates in Energy Systems Technology/Technician. Master’s degrees are the most popular award, at 33% of graduates. College Factual ranks 23 schools in its 2027 Best Energy Systems Technology/Technician 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 technology/technician draws strong interest, with 688 degrees awarded annually. 76 colleges award energy systems technology/technician degrees, an average of 9 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 51.
By level, the 688 awards include 92 certificates, 185 associate degrees, 120 bachelor’s degrees and 227 master’s degrees.
Women earned 13% of energy systems technology/technician degrees and certificates in the latest year (90 of 688). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (404) and Hispanic or Latino (147), and international students earned 29.
College Factual ranks 23 schools in its 2027 Best Energy Systems Technology/Technician Schools ranking, including 7 for associate degrees, 4 for bachelor’s degrees and 2 for master’s degrees. It also ranks energy systems technology/technician schools within 7 states. In all, 76 colleges offer energy systems technology/technician programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Energy Systems Technology/Technician Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common energy systems technology/technician credential is the master’s degree: 227 of the 688 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to energy systems technology/technician call most for Reading Comprehension, Active Listening and Critical Thinking, and for knowledge of Engineering and Technology, Computers and Electronics and Mathematics, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Near Vision, Problem Sensitivity and Written Comprehension.
Top skills, rated 0–5:
Top knowledge areas, rated 0–5:
How long an energy systems technology/technician degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 92 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 185 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 120 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 227 |
High school diploma or equivalent is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to energy systems technology/technician, at 31.4%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| High school diploma or equivalent | 31.4% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 30.9% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 20.5% |
| Some college courses | 9.9% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 4.4% |
| Master’s degree | 1.5% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 1.4% |
Source: O*NET Online.
4 occupations are related to Energy Systems Technology/Technician, with an average median salary of $85,655; the strongest outlook belongs to Commercial and Industrial Designers, at 12.4% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Test Technician (Test Tech), Laser Specialist, Toy Designer and Product Development Engineer.
That occupation also has the most projected jobs of any related to energy systems technology/technician, at 387,029.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial and Industrial Designers | 387,029 | 12.4% |
| Photonics Technicians | 306,018 | 1.6% |
| Non-Destructive Testing Specialists | 295,668 | 3.0% |
| Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other | 169,705 | 2.0% |
Energy Systems Technology/Technician 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 technology/technician 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 |
| Non-Destructive Testing Specialists | $57,631 |
| Commercial and Industrial Designers | $56,384 |
Energy Systems Technology/Technician has 4 similar majors in the Engineering Technologies field, which together award 435 degrees a year; the largest are Solar Energy Technology/Technician (312), Power Plant Technology/Technician (74) and Wind Energy Technology/Technician (47). Browse all Engineering Technologies majors or the full list of college majors.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Solar Energy Technology/Technician | 312 |
| Power Plant Technology/Technician | 74 |
| Wind Energy Technology/Technician | 47 |
| Energy Systems Technologies/Technicians, Other | 2 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
