WhatGradsMake
Certificate (under 1 year)-2% vs national median51 grads tracked

Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Technicians at Gateway Community College

Ranked 38th of 77 certificate (under 1 year) programs in Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Technicians by 5-year earnings.

Median · 1 year out
$44,398
middle 50%: $30,764 – $62,181
Median · 5 years out
$58,858
middle 50%: $41,964 – $79,787
Median · 10 years out
$81,671
middle 50%: $65,986 – $97,751

Salary trajectory

Median earnings vs the national median for Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Technicians (certificate (under 1 year)) graduates.

This program (median)National median, same major & degreeMiddle 50% of graduates

Graduates of Gateway Community College's certificate (under 1 year) program in Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Technicians earn a median $44,398 one year after graduating, rising to $81,671 by year ten. Five years out, earnings run 2% below the national median of $59,848 for this field, ranking 38th of 77 reporting programs.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau PSEO, release V4.13.0 2025Q4. Earnings are for graduates working in covered states; figures are medians in nominal dollars.

Will the degree pay for itself?

Drag the sliders — payback uses this program's actual salary curve.

Assumes a 6.5% APR loan and this program's median salary trajectory (interpolated between years 1, 5 and 10).

Paid off in
6.8 yrs
≈ $7,874 total interest

Same major at other universities

Elgin Community College
$59,719 · 5 yrs out
Front Range Community College
$59,443 · 5 yrs out
Kankakee Community College
$59,253 · 5 yrs out
Triton College
$59,105 · 5 yrs out
Saint Louis Community College
$59,105 · 5 yrs out
Portland Community College
$58,998 · 5 yrs out
Virginia Peninsula Community College
$58,659 · 5 yrs out
Bristol Community College
$58,363 · 5 yrs out
Amarillo College
$58,363 · 5 yrs out
South Plains College
$58,363 · 5 yrs out
McHenry County College
$57,867 · 5 yrs out
Illinois Valley Community College
$56,877 · 5 yrs out

Other majors at Gateway Community College

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Associate)
$94,555 · 5 yrs out
Engineering Technologies/Technicians, General (Certificate)
$90,722 · 5 yrs out
Electromechanical Technologies/Technicians (Associate)
$83,557 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Certificate)
$83,086 · 5 yrs out
Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians (Associate)
$82,803 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Associate)
$82,300 · 5 yrs out
Engineering Science (Associate)
$82,300 · 5 yrs out
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (Associate)
$80,134 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Associate)
$79,832 · 5 yrs out
Electrical/Electronic Engineering Technologies/Technicians (Associate)
$79,247 · 5 yrs out
Mechanic and Repair Technologies/Technicians (Associate)
$74,301 · 5 yrs out
Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians (Associate)
$74,301 · 5 yrs out

Related fields of study

Architectural Engineering Technologies/Technicians
Compare universities
Civil Engineering Technologies/Technicians
Compare universities
Computer Engineering Technologies/Technicians
Compare universities
Construction Engineering Technology/Technician
Compare universities
Electrical/Electronic Engineering Technologies/Technicians
Compare universities
Electromechanical Technologies/Technicians
Compare universities