Electrical Troubleshooting Technician
- Cost
- $4,508*
Get hands-on with electrical troubleshooting
Diagnose electrical issues
You excel in programs that involve problem-solving and working with your hands. You enjoy grasping new concepts or completing a project or task. You may have started your career in specific areas of HVAC/R and want to switch to another. You also look for the same outcomes with less investment of time and money. It all comes together at CLC.
What can you do with an Electrical Troubleshooting Technician Certificate?
The certificate in Electrical Troubleshooting Technician prepares you to start work as an HVAC/R trainee.
-
With the fast-track program at CLC, you can complete 2 certificates in 1 semester. This gives you a wider range of marketable skills for your first job in HVAC/R.
Take it even further with a second level fast-track program. That’s one more semester for two additional certificates. After which you will only need a few more classes and general education courses to earn your Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) All your certificate classes are stackable and can be applied toward your Associate degree.
Choose the certificates that match your interests and goals:
See what students love about the HVAC/R engineering technology program at CLC. Picture yourself here:
Highlights
-
Metallica Scholarships
Heavy metal scholarships available. -
Stackable Credentials
Earn and learn as you go with stackable credentials. -
WIOA Program
Eligible for Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA)-awarded vouchers. -
Financial Aid/Scholarships Available
Based on need and/or achievement. Explore ways to pay for college. -
Career Certificate
Earn a career certificate in 1 year or less to refine your skills into an in-demand career. -
Program Length: 1 Year
Full-time students finish in 1 year.
Career Outlook
-
Apply electrical and electronic theory and related knowledge, usually under the direction of engineering staff, to design, build, repair, adjust, and modify electrical components, circuitry, controls, and machinery for subsequent evaluation and use by engineering staff in making engineering design decisions.
-
Salary Levels
Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
- Entry-Level
- $49,321
- Median
- $75,016
- Senior-Level
- $112,547
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
- Entry-Level
- $23.70
- Median
- $36.06
- Senior-Level
- $54.11
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
-
Top entry-level education
Here’s a quick look at the most common degree levels people have in this career.
- High school diploma or less
- 12.47%
- Certificate
- 24.44%
- Some college
- 8.64%
- Associate Degree
- 42.76%
- Bachelor's Degree
- 8.14%
- Doctorate
- 3.54%
Lightcast educational attainment levels are the educational attainment percentage breakdown for a career (e.g. the percentage of people in the career who hold a bachelor degree vs. an associate degree).
-
-
Assemble or modify electrical or electronic equipment, such as computers, test equipment telemetering systems, electric motors, and batteries.
-
Salary Levels
Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
- Entry-Level
- $31,647
- Median
- $39,197
- Senior-Level
- $59,339
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
- Entry-Level
- $15.21
- Median
- $18.84
- Senior-Level
- $28.52
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
-
Top entry-level education
Here’s a quick look at the most common degree levels people have in this career.
- High school diploma or less
- 80.15%
- Certificate
- 8.2%
- Some college
- 11.65%
Lightcast educational attainment levels are the educational attainment percentage breakdown for a career (e.g. the percentage of people in the career who hold a bachelor degree vs. an associate degree).
-
-
Prepare wiring diagrams, circuit board assembly diagrams, and layout drawings used for the manufacture, installation, or repair of electrical equipment.
-
Salary Levels
Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
- Entry-Level
- $48,078
- Median
- $68,392
- Senior-Level
- $109,835
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
- Entry-Level
- $23.11
- Median
- $32.88
- Senior-Level
- $52.80
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
-
Top entry-level education
Here’s a quick look at the most common degree levels people have in this career.
- High school diploma or less
- 6.1%
- Certificate
- 21.07%
- Some college
- 6.74%
- Associate Degree
- 23.56%
- Bachelor's Degree
- 40.08%
- Master's Degree
- 2.46%
Lightcast educational attainment levels are the educational attainment percentage breakdown for a career (e.g. the percentage of people in the career who hold a bachelor degree vs. an associate degree).
-
-
Repair, test, adjust, or install electronic equipment, such as industrial controls, transmitters, and antennas.
-
Salary Levels
Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
- Entry-Level
- $59,226
- Median
- $77,345
- Senior-Level
- $120,957
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
- Entry-Level
- $28.47
- Median
- $37.18
- Senior-Level
- $58.15
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
-
Top entry-level education
Here’s a quick look at the most common degree levels people have in this career.
- High school diploma or less
- 22.02%
- Certificate
- 32.27%
- Associate Degree
- 45.71%
Lightcast educational attainment levels are the educational attainment percentage breakdown for a career (e.g. the percentage of people in the career who hold a bachelor degree vs. an associate degree).
-
-
Operate, test, maintain, or adjust unmanned, automated, servomechanical, or electromechanical equipment. May operate unmanned submarines, aircraft, or other equipment to observe or record visual information at sites such as oil rigs, crop fields, buildings, or for similar infrastructure, deep ocean exploration, or hazardous waste removal. May assist engineers in testing and designing robotics equipment.
-
Salary Levels
Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
- Entry-Level
- $52,846
- Median
- $130,331
- Senior-Level
- $138,326
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
- Entry-Level
- $25.40
- Median
- $62.65
- Senior-Level
- $66.49
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
-
Top entry-level education
Here’s a quick look at the most common degree levels people have in this career.
- High school diploma or less
- 10.83%
- Certificate
- 31.72%
- Some college
- 7.33%
- Associate Degree
- 29.83%
- Bachelor's Degree
- 10.97%
- Master's Degree
- 5.59%
- Doctorate
- 3.72%
Lightcast educational attainment levels are the educational attainment percentage breakdown for a career (e.g. the percentage of people in the career who hold a bachelor degree vs. an associate degree).
-
-
Assemble or modify electromechanical equipment or devices, such as servomechanisms, gyros, dynamometers, magnetic drums, tape drives, brakes, control linkage, actuators, and appliances.
-
Salary Levels
Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
- Entry-Level
- $31,647
- Median
- $39,197
- Senior-Level
- $59,339
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
- Entry-Level
- $15.21
- Median
- $18.84
- Senior-Level
- $28.52
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
-
Top entry-level education
Here’s a quick look at the most common degree levels people have in this career.
- High school diploma or less
- 52.73%
- Certificate
- 10.77%
- Some college
- 16.88%
- Associate Degree
- 19.04%
- Doctorate
- 0.58%
Lightcast educational attainment levels are the educational attainment percentage breakdown for a career (e.g. the percentage of people in the career who hold a bachelor degree vs. an associate degree).
-
-
Test the safety of structures, vehicles, or vessels using x-ray, ultrasound, fiber optic or related equipment.
-
Salary Levels
Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
- Entry-Level
- $46,709
- Median
- $76,712
- Senior-Level
- $118,882
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
- Entry-Level
- $22.45
- Median
- $36.87
- Senior-Level
- $57.15
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
-
Top entry-level education
Here’s a quick look at the most common degree levels people have in this career.
- High school diploma or less
- 68.18%
- Certificate
- 4.55%
- Some college
- 9.09%
- Associate Degree
- 9.09%
- Bachelor's Degree
- 9.1%
Lightcast educational attainment levels are the educational attainment percentage breakdown for a career (e.g. the percentage of people in the career who hold a bachelor degree vs. an associate degree).
-
Need help?
Your College & Career Navigator (CCN) helps you
- complete the admission process
- choose an academic program
- enroll in first-semester classes
- get access to helpful resources
Recommended Pathway
This pathway serves as a guide for students to complete the degree or certificate assuming full-time enrollment (registered in 12 or more credit hours per semester) with Semester 1 typically representing a Fall term. Students are strongly encouraged to meet with their College and Career Navigator (CCN) to identify coursework that will meet degree requirements based on individual academic goals. For a more inclusive list of course options, see the college catalog.
*Cost is estimated based on recommended pathway credit hours. This includes in-district tuition and other fees, such as books and materials before financial aid is applied, as well as grants, loans or scholarships. There are many opportunities for financial assistance at CLC. Learn more about Cost of Attendance.
HVAC/R Engineering Technology at CLC
Get the bigger picture
This certificate is just one possible way to study HVAC/R Engineering Technology. Get the bigger picture—degrees, credentials and extra options.
Frequently asked questions
-
An Electrical Troubleshooting Technician Certificate takes 1-2 semesters. And you can fast-track your career with two certificates in one semester. You learn:
- using electrical instruments (VOM) for testing and troubleshooting
- electrical schematics and wiring diagrams reading
- electrical circuit and components troubleshooting
- electrical safety
-
We’re always upgrading! You can look forward to updated lab space, new equipment and the latest industry tools and technology.
Experienced faculty: Your instructors play a crucial role in ensuring your best possible experience. Together with the department chairs, they provide an environment where you can thrive and succeed.
Flexibility: The program is stackable so you can earn individual certificates by taking specific courses. These courses can also apply toward the A.A.S. (Associate in Applied Science) degree if you decide to continue working towards this degree.
-
Classes engage your brain, your hands and your muscle memory. You learn the theories and ideas first, then apply them in labs and team projects. In this way, you build confidence in your solutions and in your ability to do the work.
When your first boss tests to see if you know how to do the work on a residential HVAC/R system, you bring everything you learned in lectures and labs to show you know the how and why.
-
Most of your classmates (but not all) have been out of high school for a while. Some may be working, some may be changing careers and others are just starting out. In group projects and with the guidance of your instructors, you learn how to work with others on HVAC/R puzzles, just as you will on the job.
-
No—the hands-on labs are essential in every course. In-person classes keep your program on track. You also learn to interact in person with faculty and peers.
-
Natasha Phillips
Graduate
“Heating, ventilation and air conditioning is a trade skill that’s always going to be needed, so I can have a stable career.”
Natasha studied HVAC/R Engineering Technology at CLC. A Workforce Equity Initiative grant paid for her education so she can start a new career in a high-demand industry.
Take the next step...
Be debt-free at CLC
CLC has some of the lowest tuition around. Financial aid and scholarships are available—even for working adults.
Explore careers
Discover majors and career paths to complement and extend your intuitive interests and abilities.
Request info
Your education is a big investment of your time, money and attention. Gather all the info you need.
Get started
Start your application today—it’s free and easy to complete. When you’re ready, we’re ready to help you take the next step.