WhatGradsMake
Associate-14% vs national median85 grads tracked

Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Technicians at Dakota County Technical College

Ranked 127th of 159 associate programs in Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Technicians by 5-year earnings.

Median · 1 year out
$49,464
middle 50%: $30,018 – $57,619
Median · 5 years out
$49,855
middle 50%: $38,377 – $63,451
Median · 10 years out
$69,154
middle 50%: $50,539 – $82,803

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 Dakota County Technical College's associate program in Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Technicians earn a median $49,464 one year after graduating, rising to $69,154 by year ten. Five years out, earnings run 14% below the national median of $57,805 for this field, ranking 127th 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
7.4 yrs
≈ $8,082 total interest

Same major at other universities

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
Jefferson College
$50,129 · 5 yrs out
Ulster County Community College
$49,855 · 5 yrs out
Ozarks Technical Community College
$49,855 · 5 yrs out
Southern Maine Community College
$49,789 · 5 yrs out
Ivy Tech Community College of Indiana - Region 4
$49,789 · 5 yrs out
Mohawk Valley Community College - SUNY Office of Community Colleges
$49,703 · 5 yrs out
Kaskaskia College
$49,269 · 5 yrs out
North Central State College
$49,008 · 5 yrs out

Other majors at Dakota County Technical College

Heavy/Industrial Equipment Maintenance Technologies/Technicians (Associate)
$86,929 · 5 yrs out
Electrical and Power Transmission Installers (Certificate)
$86,648 · 5 yrs out
Construction Trades (Associate)
$86,150 · 5 yrs out
Electrical and Power Transmission Installers (Associate)
$85,313 · 5 yrs out
Construction Trades (Certificate)
$79,314 · 5 yrs out
Civil Engineering Technologies/Technicians (Associate)
$77,273 · 5 yrs out
Electromechanical Technologies/Technicians (Associate)
$76,582 · 5 yrs out
Engineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians (Associate)
$70,801 · 5 yrs out
Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management (Associate)
$66,486 · 5 yrs out
Mechanic and Repair Technologies/Technicians (Associate)
$66,266 · 5 yrs out
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Certificate)
$65,986 · 5 yrs out
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Associate)
$64,645 · 5 yrs out

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