WhatGradsMake
Certificate (under 1 year)+24% vs national median177 grads tracked

Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Technicians at Hennepin Technical College

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

Median · 1 year out
$53,804
middle 50%: $42,862 – $67,868
Median · 5 years out
$74,472
middle 50%: $62,143 – $90,330
Median · 10 years out
$83,557
middle 50%: $61,036 – $99,535

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 Hennepin Technical College's certificate (under 1 year) program in Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Technicians earn a median $53,804 one year after graduating, rising to $83,557 by year ten. Five years out, earnings run 24% above the national median of $59,848 for this field, ranking 5th 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
5.6 yrs
≈ $6,232 total interest

Same major at other universities

Northern Virginia Community College
$80,325 · 5 yrs out
Brazosport College
$78,843 · 5 yrs out
College of Lake County
$78,110 · 5 yrs out
Lee College
$77,340 · 5 yrs out
Blue Ridge Community College
$73,728 · 5 yrs out
Naugatuck Valley Community College
$72,585 · 5 yrs out
San Jacinto Community College District
$72,514 · 5 yrs out
Eastern Iowa Community Colleges
$71,605 · 5 yrs out
Alvin Community College
$69,384 · 5 yrs out
Houston Community College
$68,717 · 5 yrs out

Other majors at Hennepin Technical College

Computer Software and Media Applications (Certificate)
$89,177 · 5 yrs out
Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions (Certificate)
$88,109 · 5 yrs out
Fire Protection (Associate)
$87,772 · 5 yrs out
Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective Services (Associate)
$85,997 · 5 yrs out
Fire Protection (Certificate)
$84,761 · 5 yrs out
Computer Programming (Associate)
$83,557 · 5 yrs out
Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians (Certificate)
$81,671 · 5 yrs out
Electromechanical Technologies/Technicians (Associate)
$80,540 · 5 yrs out
Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians (Associate)
$77,819 · 5 yrs out
Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective Services (Certificate)
$77,603 · 5 yrs out
Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR) (Associate)
$77,316 · 5 yrs out
Criminal Justice and Corrections (Certificate)
$76,944 · 5 yrs out

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