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Wake Technical Community College
Raleigh, North Carolina · Public technical college · Training programs available:
Address: 9101 Fayetteville Road, Raleigh, NC 27603 · Phone: (919) 866-5000 · School website ↗ · Verify on College Scorecard ↗
No accreditor sanctions in the last 36 months
Wake Technical Community College is a public trade and career school in Raleigh, NC offering HVAC, welding, and construction trades programs, accredited by SACS.
Wake Technical Community College has a 33.0% completion rate, below the North Carolina average of 47.8%; graduates carry a median debt of $12,000 and earn a median of $41,769 ten years after entry, per the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Annual cost of attendance is not reported in federal data for Wake Technical Community College; contact the school for current tuition. Federal financial aid is accepted, and 28.3% of students receive Pell Grants.
What these trades pay once you're working
| Occupation | Starting (10th pct) | Median | Experienced (75th) |
|---|---|---|---|
| HVAC and refrigeration mechanics and installers | $37,780 | $57,260 | $64,310 |
| Welders, cutters, solderers and brazers | $38,540 | $50,590 | $60,870 |
| Construction laborers | $31,850 | $44,720 | $49,070 |
| Electricians | $40,130 | $56,800 | $61,920 |
| Skincare specialists | $25,570 | $39,120 | $57,000 |
| Chefs and head cooks | $38,210 | $61,130 | $76,330 |
| Automotive service technicians and mechanics | $31,500 | $48,200 | $63,170 |
| Radiologic technologists and technicians | $52,860 | $74,450 | $83,340 |
| Medical assistants | $36,010 | $45,140 | $47,500 |
| Hairdressers, hairstylists and cosmetologists | $26,880 | $38,410 | $48,300 |
| Dental assistants | $38,240 | $50,380 | $57,720 |
| Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters | $38,860 | $57,080 | $63,290 |
| Dental hygienists | $77,270 | $97,850 | $100,930 |
| Phlebotomists | $35,210 | $43,330 | $46,860 |
| Nursing assistants | $30,260 | $38,460 | $43,850 |
| Pharmacy technicians | $35,820 | $44,530 | $48,480 |
| Emergency medical technicians | $35,190 | $44,250 | $49,310 |
| Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses | $50,480 | $63,270 | $69,700 |
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics wages for everyone employed in the occupation in North Carolina (May 2025; national where the state figure is not published). The program table below shows what this campus's own graduates earned in their first year, whatever job they took.
Trade programs at this campus
| Program | Credential | Grads / yr | Earnings, yr 1 | Earnings, yr 2 | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR) | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 91 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Electrical and Power Transmission Installers | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 87 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Building/Construction Finishing, Management, and Inspection | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 86 | not reported | not reported | $12,500 |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 73 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 64 | $21,232 | not reported | $8,048 |
| Precision Metal Working | Associate degree | 40 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Associate degree | 35 | $45,167 | $44,542 | $14,689 |
| Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR) | Associate degree | 33 | not reported | $45,026 | not reported |
| Building/Construction Finishing, Management, and Inspection | Associate degree | 28 | $42,229 | not reported | not reported |
| Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR) | Certificate, 1–2 years | 28 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services | Certificate, 1–2 years | 27 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Associate degree | 26 | $36,650 | $33,459 | not reported |
| Culinary Arts and Related Services | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 22 | not reported | not reported | $12,000 |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions | Certificate, 1–2 years | 22 | $35,788 | not reported | not reported |
| Electrical and Power Transmission Installers | Associate degree | 16 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions | Associate degree | 15 | $42,566 | $53,358 | not reported |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services | Associate degree | 14 | $30,471 | $30,047 | not reported |
| Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 14 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate, 1–2 years | 14 | $21,232 | not reported | $8,048 |
| Culinary Arts and Related Services | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 14 | not reported | not reported | $12,000 |
| Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Associate degree | 13 | not reported | $16,478 | not reported |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Associate degree | 11 | $45,167 | $44,542 | $14,689 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Associate degree | 11 | $45,167 | $44,542 | $14,689 |
| Culinary Arts and Related Services | Associate degree | 11 | $31,816 | $28,960 | not reported |
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 11 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Electrical and Power Transmission Installers | Certificate, 1–2 years | 10 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Associate degree | 10 | $36,650 | $33,459 | not reported |
| Culinary Arts and Related Services | Associate degree | 9 | $31,816 | $28,960 | not reported |
| Plumbing and Related Water Supply Services | Certificate, 1–2 years | 9 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 1–2 years | 8 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services | Associate degree | 6 | $30,471 | $30,047 | not reported |
| Plumbing and Related Water Supply Services | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 6 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 6 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services | Certificate, 1–2 years | 5 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants | Certificate, 1–2 years | 5 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 1–2 years | 5 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Culinary Arts and Related Services | Certificate, 1–2 years | 3 | not reported | not reported | $12,000 |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Associate degree | 3 | $36,650 | $33,459 | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 3 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Culinary Arts and Related Services | Certificate, 1–2 years | 2 | not reported | not reported | $12,000 |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 1 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
Earnings are median wages and self-employment income reported to the IRS (W-2 and Schedule SE) for graduates who received federal aid and were working and not enrolled, measured in the calendar year after finishing. They are pay only: health insurance, retirement contributions and other benefits are not included.
Graduates per year from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) 2022-23 Completions survey. Earnings and debt are College Scorecard field-of-study medians for graduates of this program at this campus (reported at the 4-digit program level, so closely related programs share a figure); "not reported" means too few graduates were counted to publish a figure.
About this school
Wake Technical Community College is a public community college in Raleigh, NC, participating in federal Title IV financial aid programs. It holds accreditation through the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, along with program-specific accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, the American Dental Association Commission on Dental Accreditation, and the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology. Across its 41 programs, the campus awards the most credentials in HVAC schools (152 completers), welding schools (121), and construction trades programs (114), alongside offerings in electrician training, culinary arts, medical assisting, cosmetology, dental hygiene, and more.
Federal data shows a completion rate of 33.0%, which is below the North Carolina state average of 47.8%. Graduates carry a median debt of $12,000, and median earnings ten years after entry are $41,769. About 28.3% of students receive Pell Grants. Annual cost of attendance is not reported for this campus in federal data.
With 897 trade completers among an undergraduate enrollment of 19,675, located in a large suburb setting, this campus offers a range of shorter career-training certificates alongside longer associate-degree pathways, which may suit both recent high school graduates and adult career changers depending on the specific program length — details not fully specified here. Prospective students should verify current accreditation status and program-level outcomes directly through the College Scorecard and by contacting the school.
Questions students ask
What trade and career programs does this campus offer?
Wake Technical Community College offers 41 programs, with the most completers in HVAC schools, welding schools, and construction trades programs. It also offers electrician, culinary, medical assisting, cosmetology, dental hygiene, and other career-training fields.
Is this school accredited, and by whom?
Yes, the school is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, with additional program-specific accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, the American Dental Association Commission on Dental Accreditation, and the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology.
Can I use federal financial aid (FAFSA, Pell Grants) at this school?
Yes, this campus participates in Title IV federal financial aid programs. About 28.3% of its students receive Pell Grants.
What share of students finish their program here, and how does that compare to the state?
The completion rate is 33.0%, which is below the North Carolina state average of 47.8%.
How much debt do graduates of this school typically carry?
Graduates carry a median debt of $12,000, per federal data.
What do graduates of this school earn?
Median earnings ten years after entry are $41,769, per the College Scorecard.
How much does it cost to attend for a year?
Annual cost of attendance is not reported for this campus in federal data; contact the school directly for current tuition figures.
Is this a public, non-profit, or for-profit school, and why does that matter?
Wake Technical Community College is a public institution, which typically means lower tuition for in-state residents and public accountability for federal financial aid.
How long do the programs here take to complete?
Program lengths are not reported in the available data; contact the school at (919) 866-5000 or visit waketech.edu for specific program schedules.
How do I verify this school's accreditation and outcomes myself?
You can verify accreditation through the listed accreditors and review federal outcome data directly at the College Scorecard link: https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?199856.
Is this school a good fit for an adult changing careers?
The data does not specify program lengths or scheduling flexibility, so fit for adult career changers cannot be confirmed from federal data alone; contact the school to discuss options.
What license or certification will I need after finishing a program here?
Licensing and certification requirements are not reported in this data; contact the school directly for program-specific credentialing information.
How do I contact the school or apply?
You can reach Wake Technical Community College at (919) 866-5000 or through its website at https://www.waketech.edu/.
How does this campus compare with other schools offering the same trade nearby?
Comparative data with other nearby schools is not included here; use the College Scorecard link to compare completion rates, debt, and earnings across institutions.
Other trade and career schools in Raleigh, NC
- Miller-Motte College-RaleighRaleigh, NC · 79% completion
- Paul Mitchell the School-RaleighRaleigh, NC · 14% completion
- Gwinnett CollegeRaleigh, NC · 63% completion
- Mitchells AcademyRaleigh, NC · career school
- Care One Health Training InstituteRaleigh, NC · career school
- Phlebotomy Training Specialists – RaleighRaleigh, NC · state-licensed school
- Raleigh Dental Assistant SchoolRaleigh, NC · state-licensed school
- Sunrise School of Dental Assisting – RaleighRaleigh, NC · state-licensed school
See all trade and career schools in North Carolina or search by ZIP code.
Data: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) 2022-23 Completions survey; College Scorecard June 2026; Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs (DAPIP), September 2026. Figures are the U.S. Department of Education's official measures, not Career Training Path's opinion. Tuition, schedules and program availability change — confirm with the school before enrolling.