Career Training Path › Kansas › Washburn Institute of Technology
Washburn Institute of Technology
Topeka, Kansas · Public technical college
Address: 5724 SW Huntoon, Topeka, KS 66604 · Phone: (785) 670-2200 · School website ↗ · Verify on College Scorecard ↗
No accreditor sanctions in the last 36 months
What these trades pay once you're working
| Occupation | Starting (10th pct) | Median | Experienced (75th) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nursing assistants | $32,180 | $38,010 | $44,170 |
| Welders, cutters, solderers and brazers | $37,790 | $49,410 | $59,200 |
| Emergency medical technicians | $28,560 | $35,780 | $39,060 |
| Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses | $49,780 | $61,760 | $69,470 |
| Automotive service technicians and mechanics | $31,970 | $47,790 | $63,000 |
| Electricians | $42,660 | $65,860 | $80,560 |
| Hairdressers, hairstylists and cosmetologists | $21,910 | $29,710 | $48,010 |
| Phlebotomists | $34,410 | $39,100 | $46,540 |
| Construction laborers | $31,500 | $44,840 | $49,210 |
| Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters | $39,130 | $65,220 | $84,870 |
| Machinists | $38,240 | $51,220 | $61,450 |
| HVAC and refrigeration mechanics and installers | $43,660 | $60,460 | $72,830 |
| Chefs and head cooks | $36,540 | $58,390 | $74,990 |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators | $39,520 | $51,620 | $62,030 |
| Surgical technologists | $44,720 | $60,600 | $67,570 |
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics wages for everyone employed in the occupation in Kansas (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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants | Certificate, under 300 hours | 126 | $39,127 | $38,829 | $9,750 |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 83 | $27,682 | $27,995 | $8,250 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 66 | $50,713 | $56,776 | $9,500 |
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants | Certificate, 1–2 years | 53 | $39,127 | $38,829 | $9,750 |
| Electrical and Power Transmission Installers | Certificate, 1–2 years | 43 | $31,947 | $31,890 | $5,500 |
| Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate, 1–2 years | 34 | not reported | not reported | $6,792 |
| Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 29 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 1–2 years | 26 | $29,952 | $32,391 | $5,500 |
| Carpenters | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 25 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Plumbing and Related Water Supply Services | Certificate, 1–2 years | 20 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 1–2 years | 17 | $27,682 | $27,995 | $8,250 |
| Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR) | Certificate, 1–2 years | 15 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 10 | $27,682 | $27,995 | $8,250 |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 1–2 years | 10 | $29,952 | $32,391 | $5,500 |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 1–2 years | 10 | $29,952 | $32,391 | $5,500 |
| Culinary Arts and Related Services | Certificate, 1–2 years | 7 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 1–2 years | 6 | $27,682 | $27,995 | $8,250 |
| Ground Transportation | Certificate, 1–2 years | 5 | not reported | $25,194 | not reported |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Certificate, 1–2 years | 2 | $50,713 | $56,776 | $9,500 |
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.
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.