WhatGradsMake
Associate-9% vs national median225 grads tracked

Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Technicians at Des Moines Area Community College

Ranked 118th of 159 associate programs in Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Technicians by 5-year earnings.

Median · 1 year out
$44,681
middle 50%: $36,726 – $51,347
Median · 5 years out
$52,387
middle 50%: $43,365 – $62,287
Median · 10 years out
$64,280
middle 50%: $51,400 – $82,528

Salary trajectory

Median earnings vs the national median for Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Technicians (associate) graduates.

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

Graduates of Des Moines Area Community College's associate program in Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Technicians earn a median $44,681 one year after graduating, rising to $64,280 by year ten. Five years out, earnings run 9% below the national median of $57,805 for this field, ranking 118th of 159 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
7.5 yrs
≈ $8,439 total interest

Same major at other universities

Western Dakota Technical College
$53,202 · 5 yrs out
Texas State Technical College
$53,181 · 5 yrs out
Kirkwood Community College
$52,939 · 5 yrs out
Mountain View College
$52,745 · 5 yrs out
Ivy Tech Community College of Indiana - Region 12
$52,636 · 5 yrs out
Central Carolina Technical College
$52,508 · 5 yrs out
Montana State University Bozeman
$52,165 · 5 yrs out
Lake Land College
$51,537 · 5 yrs out
Ivy Tech Community College of Indiana- Region 3
$51,223 · 5 yrs out
Richland Community College
$51,223 · 5 yrs out
Illinois Valley Community College
$50,676 · 5 yrs out
State Technical College of Missouri
$50,311 · 5 yrs out

Other majors at Des Moines Area Community College

Fire Protection (Certificate)
$85,523 · 5 yrs out
Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective Services (Certificate)
$81,357 · 5 yrs out
Fire Protection (Associate)
$81,295 · 5 yrs out
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (Certificate)
$79,157 · 5 yrs out
Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management (Associate)
$78,843 · 5 yrs out
Computer Programming (Associate)
$73,958 · 5 yrs out
Computer Programming (Certificate)
$72,928 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Certificate)
$71,555 · 5 yrs out
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (Certificate)
$71,212 · 5 yrs out
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (Certificate)
$71,212 · 5 yrs out
Dental Support Services and Allied Professions (Associate)
$68,222 · 5 yrs out
Heavy/Industrial Equipment Maintenance Technologies/Technicians (Associate)
$68,098 · 5 yrs out

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