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Engineering Technology · Environmental Technology Rank #4 of 6

Environmental Technologyat Appalachian State University

Graduates earn $47,333/yr in their first year — about 7.0% below the national Environmental Technology average. Base-case 10-year earnings $519K; scenarios range from $492K to $520K depending on AI disruption.

Boone, NC Public Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
51 AVERAGE
51
Optimistic
51
Pessimistic
Earnings
$47,333
1-year post-graduation
ROI
14.7x
Earnings : in-state tuition
10-yr Base
$519K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
Moderate
28% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at Appalachian State University

Appalachian State's program in Environmental Control Technologies prepares you for essential, hands-on roles crucial to public health and infrastructure. Given Boone's regional labor market, initial compensation might reflect opportunities in local government, utilities, or smaller firms, differing from programs located in major industrial hubs or very high cost-of-living areas. You'll develop practical skills in areas like HVAC, water treatment, and environmental monitoring, making you valuable to municipal utilities, commercial building management, and specialized environmental services companies across the Southeast. While some routine tasks may see automation, your ability to diagnose complex issues, perform intricate installations, and troubleshoot on-site problems will remain highly sought after. Consider aggressively pursuing internships to build specific industry connections and potentially unlock higher-paying entry points beyond the immediate region.

AI Outlook Integration

Three scenarios, ten years out

Each scenario is a different assumption about how AI reshapes the career paths this major feeds into. Earnings projections stack the full 10-year cumulative trajectory; scores use the same 0–100 metric as the hero, recomputed under that scenario's assumptions.

Pessimistic
Mass Automation
$492K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score51/100
Earnings Multiple16.3x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$519K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score51/100
Earnings Multiple17.2x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$520K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score51/100
Earnings Multiple17.3x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Appalachian State University's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.

Career Paths

Where Environmental Technology graduates typically work

Common career destinations for this program's graduates, weighted by the school's specific occupation mix. Salary is BLS national median; AI risk is per-role task-exposure research.

1
Engineering technologists and technicians, except drafters, all other
+1.5% 10-yr growth · 5,700 openings/yr
$77,390/yr
Low
2
Heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers
+8.1% 10-yr growth · 40,100 openings/yr
$59,810/yr
Low
3
Environmental engineering technologists and technicians
+1.2% 10-yr growth · 1,100 openings/yr
$58,890/yr
Moderate
4
Water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators
-6.5% 10-yr growth · 10,700 openings/yr
$58,260/yr
Low
5
Environmental science and protection technicians, including health
+4.0% 10-yr growth · 5,600 openings/yr
$49,490/yr
Moderate
6
Hazardous materials removal workers
+1.0% 10-yr growth · 5,000 openings/yr
$48,490/yr
Low
Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics, May 2024. AI exposure from OpenAI GPTs-are-GPTs and Felten AIOE research.
Compare & Explore

Peer schools offering Environmental Technology

How Appalachian State University stacks up against other schools offering this major.

Highest earnings
The University of Findlay
OH · Private nonprofit
58
DW Score
$67K
1-yr earn
4.9x
ROI
Pennsylvania College of Technology
PA · Public
50
DW Score
$65K
1-yr earn
8.1x
ROI
Iowa State University
IA · Public
55
DW Score
$64K
1-yr earn
14.2x
ROI
Top score
North Carolina State University at Raleigh
NC · Public
62
DW Score
$48K
1-yr earn
20.1x
ROI
University of Puerto Rico-Aguadilla
PR · Public
23
DW Score
$12K
1-yr earn
4.2x
ROI
Also at Appalachian State University

Other top programs at Appalachian State University

Other highest-scoring programs offered at Appalachian State University, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.

Consider the trade route

Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in Environmental Technology offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.

Compare Environmental Technology trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →
FAQ

Frequently asked about Environmental Technology at Appalachian State University

How does Appalachian State University's Environmental Technology program score?

A score of 51/100 reflects decent absolute metrics, but Appalachian State University trails the majority of Environmental Technology programs on relative rankings. Context matters more than the raw number.