WhatGradsMake
Certificate (under 1 year)-2% vs national median59 grads tracked

Mechanic and Repair Technologies/Technicians at Des Moines Area Community College

Ranked 86th of 170 certificate (under 1 year) programs in Mechanic and Repair Technologies/Technicians by 5-year earnings.

Median · 1 year out
$36,368
middle 50%: $23,505 – $44,060
Median · 5 years out
$51,223
middle 50%: $44,398 – $69,154
Median · 10 years out
$64,930
middle 50%: $55,464 – $78,278

Salary trajectory

Median earnings vs the national median for Mechanic and Repair Technologies/Technicians (certificate (under 1 year)) graduates.

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

Graduates of Des Moines Area Community College's certificate (under 1 year) program in Mechanic and Repair Technologies/Technicians earn a median $36,368 one year after graduating, rising to $64,930 by year ten. Five years out, earnings run 2% below the national median of $52,435 for this field, ranking 86th of 170 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
8.2 yrs
≈ $9,587 total interest

Same major at other universities

Saint Louis Community College
$51,888 · 5 yrs out
Angelina College
$51,888 · 5 yrs out
Mountainland Technical College
$51,799 · 5 yrs out
Texas State Technical College
$51,565 · 5 yrs out
City Colleges of Chicago - Richard J. Daley College
$51,223 · 5 yrs out
Kaskaskia College
$51,223 · 5 yrs out
Ivy Tech Community College of Indiana - Region 10
$51,223 · 5 yrs out
Dixie Technical College
$50,919 · 5 yrs out
Ivy Tech Community College of Indiana
$50,823 · 5 yrs out
Ivy Tech Community College of Indiana - Region 4
$50,390 · 5 yrs out
Virginia Western Community College
$50,311 · 5 yrs out
Central Texas College District
$50,265 · 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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