Wisconsin Technical College System: Technical college graduates get a nice boost in wages


Contact: Kathy Cullen, 608-266-9399


May 12, 2006 Kyle Schwarm, 608-266-0050



Technical college graduates get a nice boost in wages



MADISON – Earnings for the newest technical college graduates in Wisconsin are on the increase. That’s according to a survey of the 2005 graduates, which indicates they were earning five percent more than 2004 graduates, six months after graduation. The annual Graduate Follow-up Survey by Wisconsin’s Technical Colleges shows the median salary for all graduates, including short-term diploma recipients, was $28,265, six months after graduation.


“The significant increase in wages indicates the demand for our graduates is stronger than ever,” said Dan Clancy, president of the Wisconsin Technical College System. “Wisconsin’s employers are paying significantly more for our highly-skilled graduates as their demand increases in areas such as health care and advanced manufacturing,” Clancy said.


The survey results also show that our state only loses six-percent of its technical college graduates to other states. “Taxpayers are getting a maximum return on investment when graduates stay in Wisconsin and contribute to our local economies. Students also get a good return when they can be gainfully employed in their communities,” Clancy added.


The survey also found the median salary of new associate degree graduates has pushed above $32,000. According to the report, there are 79 technical college occupations with median salaries for immediate graduates above $30,000. That compares with 47 just two years earlier. The study results also indicate 92 percent of the graduates were employed within six months and 97 percent of respondents indicated they were satisfied or very satisfied with the education they received from their local technical college.


The Graduate Follow-up Survey was sent to 22,857 graduates from last year and had a 72-percent response rate. It examines employment, earnings status, and other factors approximately six months after students have graduated. The Graduate Follow-up Report can be found online at http://www.wtcsystem.edu/reports/fact/graduate/index.htm.