Computer Engineering Tech graduates earn $83,742 four years out. Related careers are growing at up to 15.8%, one of the stronger demand signals across all fields. Software Developer is among the highest-growth roles in the field.
Computer Engineering Tech is a focused area of study within Engineering Tech. Graduates typically earn around $83,742 four years out, a strong return for a focused credential. The program is available at 250 colleges across the U.S., from community colleges to research universities. About 3,432 students complete this program each year, most earning a associate's. Coursework leans technical and quantitative, with lab or project work common.
Median Earnings · 1yr
$48,829
Median Earnings · 4yr
$83,742
Colleges Offering
250
Graduates / Year
3,432
Avg Net Price / yr
$16,067
How Much Do Computer Engineering Tech Graduates Earn?
Computer Engineering Tech graduates earn $83,742 four years out, well above average for college graduates. The middle 50% of earners fall between $58,477 and $110,912. Earnings typically jump significantly in the first few years. The one-year figure of $48,829 climbs to $83,742 by year four.
$48,829
1 Year After Graduation
Starting salaries only. Earnings in this field grow substantially in the first 3 to 5 years.
$83,742
4-Year National Median
Well above average for college graduates.
$79,501
4-Year Institutional Median
Median of per-school medians. Each reporting college counts equally, regardless of size.
Earnings Range
There is a wide earnings spread across Computer Engineering Tech graduates. Sector is the biggest factor. Tech companies and finance firms tend to pay significantly more than government, education, or nonprofit employers in this field.
$58,47725th pct.
$83,742Median
$110,91275th pct.
Why This Program Pays Off Fast
Strong ROI. At median 4-year earnings of $83,742 against an estimated $64,268 four-year net cost, most graduates break even against baseline wages in under two years.
Based on outcomes from 75 schools.
Colleges with fewer than 30 graduates are excluded from national averages.
Who Studies This? Credential Breakdown
Of the 3,432 students who complete Computer Engineering Tech programs each year, the majority (46%) earn a associate's degree.
The breakdown below shows the full credential distribution.
46%32%
Associate's46%
Bachelor's32%
Certificate14%
What Can You Do With a Computer Engineering Tech Degree?
Computer Engineering Tech connects to 4 occupations in the job market. Software Developer leads at $135,980/yr median. Expand any card to see daily responsibilities, in-demand skills, and 10-year growth projections.
ProgrammingCritical ThinkingJudgment and Decision MakingReading ComprehensionActive Learning
Day-to-day responsibilities
Research, design, and develop computer and network software or specialized utility programs. Analyze user needs and develop software solutions, applying principles and techniques of computer science, engineering, and mathematical analysis. Update software or enhance existing software capabilities. May work with computer hardware engineers to integrate hardware and software systems, and develop specifications and performance requirements. May maintain databases within an application area, working individually or coordinating database development as part of a team.
Analyze user needs and software requirements to determine feasibility of design within time and cost constraints.
Develop or direct software system testing or validation procedures, programming, or documentation.
Confer with systems analysts, engineers, programmers and others to design systems and to obtain information on project limitations and capabilities, performance requirements and interfaces.
Develop and execute software tests to identify software problems and their causes. Test system modifications to prepare for implementation. Document software and application defects using a bug tracking system and report defects to software or web developers. Create and maintain databases of known defects. May participate in software design reviews to provide input on functional requirements, operational characteristics, product designs, and schedules.
Identify, analyze, and document problems with program function, output, online screen, or content.
Document software defects, using a bug tracking system, and report defects to software developers.
Develop testing programs that address areas such as database impacts, software scenarios, regression testing, negative testing, error or bug retests, or usability.
ProgrammingActive ListeningCritical ThinkingComplex Problem SolvingQuality Control Analysis
Day-to-day responsibilities
Create, modify, and test the code and scripts that allow computer applications to run. Work from specifications drawn up by software and web developers or other individuals. May develop and write computer programs to store, locate, and retrieve specific documents, data, and information.
Write, analyze, review, and rewrite programs, using workflow chart and diagram, and applying knowledge of computer capabilities, subject matter, and symbolic logic.
Correct errors by making appropriate changes and rechecking the program to ensure that the desired results are produced.
Perform or direct revision, repair, or expansion of existing programs to increase operating efficiency or adapt to new requirements.
Apply electrical and electronic theory and related knowledge, usually under the direction of engineering staff, to design, build, repair, adjust, and modify electrical components, circuitry, controls, and machinery for subsequent evaluation and use by engineering staff in making engineering design decisions.
Modify, maintain, or repair electronics equipment or systems to ensure proper functioning.
Replace defective components or parts, using hand tools and precision instruments.
Set up and operate specialized or standard test equipment to diagnose, test, or analyze the performance of electronic components, assemblies, or systems.
Top Colleges for Computer Engineering Tech
The 20 colleges below are ranked by how many Computer Engineering Tech students they graduate each year. Scroll right to compare acceptance rate, net price, and median earnings side by side.
Ranked by Computer Engineering Tech graduate volume. Scroll right to compare key stats.
Read our methodology →
Related Engineering Tech Programs
Computer Engineering Tech is one of 19 specializations within Engineering Tech. The comparison below shows where this program ranks by 4-year median earnings.
Decide with data, not guesswork. These tools turn the numbers on this page
into a personal plan. Estimate the real cost of a Computer Engineering Tech program, compare colleges side-by-side, weigh the long-term payoff, and find
schools that match your profile.
Strong earnings and positive career growth make Computer Engineering Tech a solid option. The 4 strengths and 1 trade-offs below are data-sourced from College Scorecard, BLS, and IPEDS.
PROS
Strong median salaryGraduates earn $83,742 nationally four years out, placing this field above most degree programs in the country.
Strong salary growthMedian earnings climb from $48,829 at graduation to $83,742 four years later, a clear sign of career momentum in this field.
Fast-growing fieldRelated careers are projected to grow up to +15.8% over the next decade, with Software Developer among the fastest-growing roles.
Strong hiring volumeRelated occupations generate more than 143,100 job openings per year combined, creating consistent demand for graduates.
CONS
Declining roles in some areas1 related career show negative 10-year employment projections. Research specific roles before committing.
How much do Computer Engineering Tech graduates earn?
Computer Engineering Tech graduates earn a national median of $83,742 four years after completing their program. The middle 50% of earners fall between $58,477 and $110,912. Where you land typically depends on employer, role, and location.
What is the starting salary for a Computer Engineering Tech degree?
One year after graduation, Computer Engineering Tech degree holders earn a median of $48,829. That climbs to $83,742 four years out. The biggest salary jumps typically come once you move past entry-level roles.
What jobs can you get with a Computer Engineering Tech degree?
Computer Engineering Tech degree holders pursue careers including Software Developer, which pays a median of $135,980/yr. Scroll down to the Career Paths section to see wages and job growth projections for every related occupation.
How long does a Computer Engineering Tech program take?
A Computer Engineering Tech associate degree typically takes two years full-time at a community college. Many students transfer to a four-year university afterward to complete a bachelor's.
How many colleges offer Computer Engineering Tech?
250 colleges and universities in the United States offer Computer Engineering Tech programs. Options range from community colleges with certificates and associate degrees to research universities with doctoral tracks.
Is a Computer Engineering Tech degree worth it?
With a median 4-year salary of $83,742 and an average net price of roughly $16,067/yr, a Computer Engineering Tech degree can pay off well, especially at lower-cost schools and in high-demand roles. Use the Top Colleges section below to compare specific programs before deciding.
What is the difference between Computer Engineering Tech and Engineering Tech?
Computer Engineering Tech is a focused concentration within the broader Engineering Tech field. The Engineering Tech major covers the full discipline; this program narrows the curriculum to Computer Engineering Tech-specific courses, skills, and career tracks. If you already know this is the direction you want, the specialized program gives you a more targeted credential.
What skills do employers look for in Computer Engineering Tech graduates?
Employers hiring Computer Engineering Tech graduates consistently prioritize analytical thinking, technical proficiency, and data interpretation. Employers typically prioritize candidates who can demonstrate hands-on project or internship experience alongside their coursework.
Is graduate school worth it for Computer Engineering Tech graduates?
In STEM fields, a master's degree can accelerate advancement into research, leadership, or senior engineering roles and often adds $15,000 to $40,000 in long-term earning potential, depending on specialization. The right answer depends on your career goals, program cost, and whether your target role explicitly rewards an advanced credential.
What is the job outlook for Computer Engineering Tech graduates?
The job outlook for Computer Engineering Tech graduates is moderate overall. Related occupations project an average of +5.1% job growth over the next 10 years. Software Developer is among the strongest-growth roles at +15.8%. Growth varies by role and location, so check the Career Paths section for projections on each specific occupation.
Related Engineering Tech Programs
Other programs in Engineering Tech. Compare earnings, credentials, and career paths before committing to a specialization.
Free, data-backed guides to help you decide, built on the same federal data as this profile.
H
How to Choose a Major Pillar
A decision framework for picking a college major using your interests, aptitudes, and federal earnings data to reach a defensible choice before applying.
The real cost of a second major, when it pays back and when it doesn't, and why a focused single major with a relevant minor often beats a double major.
Why the 10-year job-growth outlook often matters more than today's salary, what the BLS projections measure, and how to use them to weigh the future of a field, not just its present.
Original data analyses built on the same federal data as this profile. Rankings, outliers, and patterns, no opinions.
All 38 Majors, Ranked by What Graduates Earn
The highest-earning college major out-pays the lowest by a factor of two and a half. The full ranking of all 38 fields by median graduate earnings, with job growth alongside.
Major earnings
Highest paying majors
Job growth
STEM
Field of study
Does Engineering Tech Out-Earn Engineering? The Data Says No
A popular claim holds that the applied engineering-tech degree pays more than the theoretical one. Across every program, engineering wins by about $10,000.
Engineering tech
Engineering
Program earnings
Applied degree
Technician careers
STEM Is Not One Thing: The Pay Gap Within STEM
Across 88 STEM programs the top one out-earns the bottom by $65,000 a year. Operations research pays $122,531; environmental design pays $57,461.
STEM earnings
Engineering pay
Computer science
Program earnings
Major choice
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