WhatGradsMake
Certificate (1-2 years)-5% vs national median120 grads tracked

Mechanic and Repair Technologies/Technicians at Western Dakota Technical College

Ranked 110th of 179 certificate (1-2 years) programs in Mechanic and Repair Technologies/Technicians by 5-year earnings.

Median · 1 year out
$37,247
middle 50%: $28,561 – $47,243
Median · 5 years out
$50,197
middle 50%: $40,660 – $77,093
Median · 10 years out
$65,669
middle 50%: $50,995 – $93,321

Salary trajectory

Median earnings vs the national median for Mechanic and Repair Technologies/Technicians (certificate (1-2 years)) graduates.

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

Graduates of Western Dakota Technical College's certificate (1-2 years) program in Mechanic and Repair Technologies/Technicians earn a median $37,247 one year after graduating, rising to $65,669 by year ten. Five years out, earnings run 5% below the national median of $53,107 for this field, ranking 110th of 179 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
≈ $9,578 total interest

Same major at other universities

Southwest Texas Junior College
$50,441 · 5 yrs out
Western Iowa Tech Community College
$50,392 · 5 yrs out
Blue Ridge Community College
$50,390 · 5 yrs out
Emily Griffith Technical College
$50,359 · 5 yrs out
Ivy Tech Community College of Indiana - Region 12
$50,227 · 5 yrs out
East Central College
$50,197 · 5 yrs out
Lincoln College of Technology
$50,083 · 5 yrs out
Eastern Iowa Community Colleges
$50,065 · 5 yrs out
Ivy Tech Community College of Indiana
$49,979 · 5 yrs out
Kishwaukee College
$49,935 · 5 yrs out
Northwest Louisiana Technical Community College
$49,703 · 5 yrs out
Laramie County Community College
$49,582 · 5 yrs out

Other majors at Western Dakota Technical College

Precision Metal Working (Certificate)
$56,363 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Associate)
$54,051 · 5 yrs out
Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Technicians (Associate)
$53,202 · 5 yrs out
Precision Production (Certificate)
$53,040 · 5 yrs out
Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications (Associate)
$52,989 · 5 yrs out
Precision Production (Associate)
$52,793 · 5 yrs out
Precision Metal Working (Associate)
$52,793 · 5 yrs out
Engineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians (Associate)
$51,947 · 5 yrs out
Fire Protection (Associate)
$51,223 · 5 yrs out
Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective Services (Associate)
$50,940 · 5 yrs out
Criminal Justice and Corrections (Associate)
$50,791 · 5 yrs out
Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants (Associate)
$49,855 · 5 yrs out

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