Energy Systems Technology: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Energy Systems Technology equips students with the foundational engineering knowledge and hands-on technical expertise needed to support professionals in designing, optimizing, and maintaining efficient energy systems. This program emphasizes practical application in real-world environments, preparing graduates to contribute to sustainable energy solutions through precise measurement, analysis, and system improvement.
- Energy Conservation Principles: Core concepts governing the efficient use of energy resources, including thermodynamics, system efficiency, and sustainable energy practices.
- Instrumentation Calibration: Techniques for verifying and adjusting measurement devices to ensure accuracy in energy monitoring and data collection.
- Monitoring Systems and Test Procedures: Implementation and operation of tools and protocols used to track energy performance and validate system functionality.
- Energy Loss Inspection Procedures: Methods for identifying inefficiencies and unintended energy dissipation within industrial, commercial, and residential systems.
- Energy Conservation Techniques: Applied strategies for reducing energy consumption through system upgrades, behavioral adjustments, and technological integration.
- Report Preparation: Development of clear, comprehensive documentation summarizing findings, recommendations, and performance metrics for stakeholders and engineers.
Energy Systems Technology Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Energy Systems Technology Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Energy Systems Technology degrees, including Commercial and Industrial Designers and Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 94,660 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Commercial and Industrial Designers 27-1021 | $79,450 | $49,390 - $134,840 | 30,250 | $38.20 |
| Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other 17-3029 | $77,390 | $47,010 - $114,630 | 64,410 | $37.21 |
Energy Systems Technology Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $53,020 in South Dakota to $109,120 in District of Columbia—a 106% difference. The highest-paying states include District of Columbia, Maine, and Washington. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 94,660 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for Energy Systems Technology by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 84 institutions offering Energy Systems Technology programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Energy Systems Technology is found at Colorado Mountain College (CMC) (59 graduates), Refrigeration School Inc (RSI) (55 graduates), Excelsior University (45 graduates), Ferris State University (FSU) (38 graduates), and Ivy Tech Community College (Ivy Tech) (35 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 815 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
| College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado Mountain College (CMC) |
Residency
|
59 | Glenwood Springs, Colorado | Public | coloradomtn.edu |
| Refrigeration School Inc (RSI) |
Associate's
|
55 | Phoenix, Arizona | Private | rsi.edu |
| Excelsior University |
Bachelor's
|
45 | Albany, New York | Private | excelsior.edu |
| Ferris State University (FSU) |
Bachelor's
|
38 | Big Rapids, Michigan | Public | ferris.edu |
| Ivy Tech Community College (Ivy Tech) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
35 | Indianapolis, Indiana | Public | ivytech.edu |
| South Seattle College (SSC) |
Bachelor's
Residency
Other Award
|
34 | Seattle, Washington | Public | southseattle.edu |
| Gateway Community and Technical College (GCTC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
32 | Florence, Kentucky | Public | gateway.kctcs.edu |
| Texas Tech University (TTU) |
Bachelor's
|
30 | Lubbock, Texas | Public | ttu.edu |
| Ashland Community and Technical College (ACTC) |
Other Award
|
28 | Ashland, Kentucky | Public | ashland.kctcs.edu |
| Heartland Community College (HCC ) |
Residency
Other Award
|
28 | Normal, Illinois | Public | heartland.edu |
| Central Community College (CCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
23 | Grand Island, Nebraska | Public | cccneb.edu |
| Los Angeles Trade Technical College (LATTC) |
Other Award
|
22 | Los Angeles, California | Public | lattc.edu |
| Idaho State University (ISU) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
22 | Pocatello, Idaho | Public | isu.edu |
| Southeast Community College Area (SCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
22 | Lincoln, Nebraska | Public | southeast.edu |
| New York Institute of Technology (NYIT) |
Master's
|
21 | Old Westbury, New York | Private | nyit.edu |
| University of Tulsa (TU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
17 | Tulsa, Oklahoma | Private | utulsa.edu |
| Mt San Antonio College (Mt. SAC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
16 | Walnut, California | Public | mtsac.edu |
| College of Eastern Idaho (CEI) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
15 | Idaho Falls, Idaho | Public | cei.edu |
| Illinois State University (ISU) |
Bachelor's
|
15 | Normal, Illinois | Public | illinoisstate.edu |
| Pasadena City College (PCC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
14 | Pasadena, California | Public | pasadena.edu |
| Henry Ford College (HFC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
14 | Dearborn, Michigan | Public | hfcc.edu |
| CUNY LaGuardia Community College |
Associate's
|
14 | Long Island City, New York | Public | lagcc.cuny.edu |
| De Anza College |
Associate's
Other Award
|
11 | Cupertino, California | Public | deanza.edu |
| University of San Francisco (USF) |
Master's
|
11 | San Francisco, California | Private | usfca.edu |
| Fort Myers Technical College (FMTC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
9 | Fort Myers, Florida | Public | fortmyerstech.edu |
| Palm Beach State College (PBSC) |
Other Award
|
9 | Lake Worth, Florida | Public | palmbeachstate.edu |
| Seminole State College of Florida |
Other Award
|
7 | Sanford, Florida | Public | seminolestate.edu |
| Dakota County Technical College (DCTC) |
Associate's
|
7 | Rosemount, Minnesota | Public | dctc.edu |
| Northeast Community College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
7 | Norfolk, Nebraska | Public | northeast.edu |
| SUNY Morrisville (SUNY Morrisville) |
Associate's
|
7 | Morrisville, New York | Public | morrisville.edu |
| SUNY Buffalo State University |
Bachelor's
|
7 | Buffalo, New York | Public | suny.buffalostate.edu |
| College of the Redwoods (CR) |
Other Award
|
6 | Eureka, California | Public | redwoods.edu |
| Danville Area Community College (DACC) |
Associate's
|
6 | Danville, Illinois | Public | dacc.edu |
| State Technical College of Missouri (State Tech) |
Associate's
|
6 | Linn, Missouri | Public | statetechmo.edu |
| Raritan Valley Community College (RVCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
6 | Branchburg, New Jersey | Public | raritanval.edu |
| Stockton University |
Postbac Cert.
|
6 | Galloway, New Jersey | Public | stockton.edu |
| Laramie County Community College (LCCC) |
Other Award
|
6 | Cheyenne, Wyoming | Public | lccc.wy.edu |
| Valencia College |
Associate's
|
5 | Orlando, Florida | Public | valenciacollege.edu |
| Richland Community College |
Other Award
|
5 | Decatur, Illinois | Public | richland.edu |
| Kirkwood Community College |
Associate's
|
5 | Cedar Rapids, Iowa | Public | kirkwood.edu |
| Wichita State University (WSU) |
Residency
|
5 | Wichita, Kansas | Public | wichita.edu |
| Shoreline Community College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
5 | Shoreline, Washington | Public | shoreline.edu |
| Northland Pioneer College (NPC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Other Award
|
4 | Holbrook, Arizona | Public | npc.edu |
| Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC) |
Associate's
|
4 | Ankeny, Iowa | Public | dmacc.edu |
| Indian Hills Community College (IHCC) |
Associate's
|
4 | Ottumwa, Iowa | Public | indianhills.edu |
| University of Louisiana (UL Lafayette) |
Master's
|
4 | Lafayette, Louisiana | Public | louisiana.edu |
| Texas Christian University (TCU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
4 | Fort Worth, Texas | Private | tcu.edu |
| Tyler Junior College (TJC) |
Associate's
|
4 | Tyler, Texas | Public | tjc.edu |
| Central Washington University (CWU) |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Ellensburg, Washington | Public | cwu.edu |
| Connecticut State Community College (CT State) |
Associate's
|
3 | Hartford, Connecticut | Public | ctstate.edu |
| Century College |
Associate's
|
3 | White Bear Lake, Minnesota | Public | century.edu |
| Cincinnati State Technical and Community College (CSTCC) |
Associate's
|
3 | Cincinnati, Ohio | Public | cincinnatistate.edu |
| The University of Texas Permian Basin |
Postbac Cert.
|
3 | Odessa, Texas | Public | utpb.edu |
| Rio Hondo College (RHC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
2 | Whittier, California | Public | riohondo.edu |
| Santa Clara University (SCU) |
Master's
|
2 | Santa Clara, California | Private | scu.edu |
| Santa Monica College (SMC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
2 | Santa Monica, California | Public | smc.edu |
| State College of Florida (SCF) |
Other Award
|
2 | Bradenton, Florida | Public | scf.edu |
| Alpena Community College (ACC) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Alpena, Michigan | Public | alpenacc.edu |
| Muskegon Community College (MCC) |
Other Award
|
2 | Muskegon, Michigan | Public | muskegoncc.edu |
| University of North Dakota (UND) |
Postbac Cert.
|
2 | Grand Forks, North Dakota | Public | und.edu |
| Western Technical College (WTC) |
Associate's
|
2 | La Crosse, Wisconsin | Public | westerntc.edu |
| Cascadia College |
Associate's
Other Award
|
2 | Bothell, Washington | Public | cascadia.edu |
| Delaware Technical Community College |
Associate's
|
1 | Dover, Delaware | Public | dtcc.edu |
| Traviss Technical College (TTC) |
Other Award
|
1 | Lakeland, Florida | Public | traviss.edu |
| Illinois Valley Community College (IVCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
1 | Oglesby, Illinois | Public | ivcc.edu |
| Kankakee Community College (KCC) |
Other Award
|
1 | Kankakee, Illinois | Public | kcc.edu |
| Iowa Western Community College (IWCC) |
Associate's
|
1 | Council Bluffs, Iowa | Public | iwcc.edu |
| Bluegrass Community and Technical College (BCTC) |
Other Award
|
1 | Lexington, Kentucky | Public | bluegrass.kctcs.edu |
| Quinsigamond Community College (QCC) |
Associate's
|
1 | Worcester, Massachusetts | Public | qcc.edu |
| Macomb Community College |
Associate's
|
1 | Warren, Michigan | Public | macomb.edu |
| St Cloud Technical and Community College (SCTCC) |
Associate's
|
1 | Saint Cloud, Minnesota | Public | sctcc.edu |
| Metropolitan Community College Area (MCC) |
Other Award
|
1 | Omaha, Nebraska | Public | mccneb.edu |
| Santa Fe Community College (SFCC) |
Other Award
|
1 | Santa Fe, New Mexico | Public | sfcc.edu |
| Clinton Community College |
Associate's
|
1 | Plattsburgh, New York | Public | clinton.edu |
| Hudson Valley Community College (HVCC) |
Associate's
|
1 | Troy, New York | Public | hvcc.edu |
| Sullivan County Community College (SUNY Sullivan) |
Associate's
|
1 | Loch Sheldrake, New York | Public | sunysullivan.edu |
| Sinclair Community College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
1 | Dayton, Ohio | Public | sinclair.edu |
| Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) |
Other Award
|
1 | Warwick, Rhode Island | Public | ccri.edu |
| Tarrant County College District (TCCD) |
Other Award
|
1 | Fort Worth, Texas | Public | tccd.edu |
| Salt Lake Community College (SLCC) |
Associate's
|
1 | Salt Lake City, Utah | Public | slcc.edu |
| Vermont State University (VTSU) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Randolph, Vermont | Public | vermontstate.edu |
| Mid-State Technical College (Mid-State) |
Associate's
|
1 | Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin | Public | mstc.edu |
| Milwaukee Area Technical College (MATC) |
Other Award
|
1 | Milwaukee, Wisconsin | Public | matc.edu |
| Northeast Wisconsin Technical College (NWTC) |
Associate's
|
1 | Green Bay, Wisconsin | Public | nwtc.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Energy Systems Technology programs
How much can I earn with a Energy Systems Technology degree?
Salaries for Energy Systems Technology graduates vary by role and location. Commercial and Industrial Designers earn a median of $79,450 annually, while Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other earn around $77,390. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in District of Columbia average $109,120 compared to $53,020 in South Dakota. Approximately 94,660 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest Energy Systems Technology programs?
Currently 84 accredited institutions offer Energy Systems Technology degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Colorado Mountain College (CMC) (59 graduates), Refrigeration School Inc (RSI) (55 graduates), and Excelsior University (45 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
What career paths are available with a Energy Systems Technology degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Commercial and Industrial Designers, Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other, . Related occupations employ approximately 94,660 professionals nationwide.
Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
Related Eng. Technologies Programs
Explore similar degree programs within the Eng. Technologies field. These programs share the same academic discipline and may offer complementary skills and career pathways.
Wind Energy Technology
A program that prepares individuals to apply basic engineering principles and technical skills in support of engineers and other professionals engaged in developing...
Energy Systems Technologies
Any instructional program in energy systems technologies not listed above.
Engineering Technologies, Other
Any instructional program in engineering technologies and engineering-related fields not listed above.
Applied Engineering Technology
A program that generally prepares individuals to apply basic engineering principles and technical skills in support of engineers engaged in the management and...
Architectural Engineering Technology
A program that prepares individuals to apply basic engineering principles and technical skills in support of architects, engineers and planners engaged in designing...
Civil Engineering Technology
A program that prepares individuals to apply basic engineering principles and technical skills in support of civil engineers engaged in designing and executing...