WhatGradsMake
Certificate (under 1 year)+15% vs national median377 grads tracked

Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Technicians at Houston Community College

Ranked 11th of 77 certificate (under 1 year) programs in Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Technicians by 5-year earnings.

Median · 1 year out
$52,064
middle 50%: $37,337 – $67,174
Median · 5 years out
$68,717
middle 50%: $48,487 – $90,528
Median · 10 years out
$76,885
middle 50%: $55,778 – $115,969

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 Houston Community College's certificate (under 1 year) program in Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Technicians earn a median $52,064 one year after graduating, rising to $76,885 by year ten. Five years out, earnings run 15% above the national median of $59,848 for this field, ranking 11th 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
5.9 yrs
≈ $6,610 total interest

Same major at other universities

Other majors at Houston Community College

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