Most Drafting/Design Engineering Tech programs take two years to complete. Graduates start earning $60,153 right after finishing, climbing to $71,753 four years out.
This page covers Drafting/Design Engineering Tech as a course of study: what it costs, where it is taught, and what graduates go on to earn. It sits inside the wider field of Engineering Tech and how it pays overall, which is the better comparison if you are still choosing between subjects.
Drafting/Design Engineering Tech is a focused area of study within Engineering Tech. Pick this and you can expect to earn around $71,753 four years out, a strong return for a focused credential. You will not have trouble finding it: 609 colleges offer this program, from community colleges to research universities. About 9,134 students complete it each year, most walking away with a associate's. Coursework leans technical and quantitative, with lab or project work common.
Median Earnings · 1yr
$60,153
Median Earnings · 4yr
$71,753
Colleges Offering
609
Graduates / Year
9,134
Avg Net Price / yr
$9,580
How Much Do Drafting/Design Engineering Tech Graduates Earn?
Four years after finishing Drafting/Design Engineering Tech, a typical graduate earns $71,753, above the national median for college graduates. Half of earners land somewhere between $56,763 and $85,957, so where you end up depends on the job and the employer. Source: College Scorecard.
Earnings in this field tend to be stable early on. Expect the four-year median to closely reflect your long-term starting point.
$71,753
4-Year National Median
Above the national median for college graduates.
$71,326
4-Year Institutional Median
Median of per-school medians. Each reporting college counts equally, regardless of size.
Earnings Range
Not every Drafting/Design Engineering Tech graduate ends up in the same place. Earnings spread out a moderate amount, so know what pushes people to one end or the other. Sector is the biggest factor. Tech companies and finance firms tend to pay significantly more than government, education, or nonprofit employers in this field.
$56,76325th pct.
$71,753Median
$85,95775th pct.
Why This Program Pays Off Fast
Strong ROI. At median 4-year earnings of $71,753 against an estimated $38,320 four-year net cost, most graduates break even against baseline wages in under two years.
Based on outcomes from 26 schools.
Colleges with fewer than 30 graduates are excluded from national averages.
Who Studies This? Credential Breakdown
Of the 9,134 students who complete Drafting/Design Engineering Tech programs each year, the majority (52%) earn a associate's degree.
The breakdown below shows the full credential distribution.
33%52%
Associate's52%
Certificate33%
Bachelor's7%
What Can You Do With a Drafting/Design Engineering Tech Degree?
This degree does not lock you into one job. Drafting/Design Engineering Tech graduates show up in 3 different occupations, and Electrical and Electronics Drafters pay the most at $76,870/yr median. Expand any card below to see daily responsibilities, in-demand skills, and 10-year growth projections.
Active ListeningJudgment and Decision MakingCritical ThinkingWritingReading Comprehension
Day-to-day responsibilities
Prepare wiring diagrams, circuit board assembly diagrams, and layout drawings used for the manufacture, installation, or repair of electrical equipment.
Draft detail and assembly drawings of design components, circuitry or printed circuit boards, using computer-assisted equipment or standard drafting techniques and devices.
Draft working drawings, wiring diagrams, wiring connection specifications, or cross-sections of underground cables, as required for instructions to installation crew.
Assemble documentation packages and produce drawing sets to be checked by an engineer or an architect.
Active LearningCritical ThinkingMathematicsActive ListeningReading Comprehension
Day-to-day responsibilities
Prepare detailed working diagrams of machinery and mechanical devices, including dimensions, fastening methods, and other engineering information.
Develop detailed design drawings and specifications for mechanical equipment, dies, tools, and controls, using computer-assisted drafting (CAD) equipment.
Produce three-dimensional models, using computer-aided design (CAD) software.
Lay out and draw schematic, orthographic, or angle views to depict functional relationships of components, assemblies, systems, and machines.
Reading ComprehensionSystems AnalysisComplex Problem SolvingActive LearningCritical Thinking
Day-to-day responsibilities
Prepare detailed drawings of architectural and structural features of buildings or drawings and topographical relief maps used in civil engineering projects, such as highways, bridges, and public works. Use knowledge of building materials, engineering practices, and mathematics to complete drawings.
Produce drawings, using computer-assisted drafting systems (CAD) or drafting machines, or by hand, using compasses, dividers, protractors, triangles, and other drafting devices.
Draft plans and detailed drawings for structures, installations, and construction projects, such as highways, sewage disposal systems, and dikes, working from sketches or notes.
Coordinate structural, electrical, and mechanical designs and determine a method of presentation to graphically represent building plans.
Top Colleges for Drafting/Design Engineering Tech
Not sure where to study Drafting/Design Engineering Tech? These 20 colleges graduate the most students in it each year. Scroll right to compare acceptance rate, net price, and median earnings side by side.
Ranked by Drafting/Design Engineering Tech graduate volume. Scroll right to compare key stats.
Read our methodology →
Related Engineering Tech Programs
Drafting/Design Engineering Tech is not the only path through Engineering Tech: 18 other specializations sit alongside it. The comparison below ranks them by 4-year median earnings so you can see where this one lands.
Decide with data, not guesswork. These tools turn the numbers on this page
into a personal plan. Estimate the real cost of a Drafting/Design 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 Drafting/Design 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 $71,753 nationally four years out, placing this field above most degree programs in the country.
Positive job outlookRelated careers project up to +5.2% job growth over the next 10 years, a solid signal for long-term demand.
Strong hiring volumeRelated occupations generate more than 13,400 job openings per year combined, creating consistent demand for graduates.
Wide availabilityOffered at 609 colleges nationwide, with options at every price point and institution type.
CONS
Declining roles in some areas2 related careers show negative 10-year employment projections. Research specific roles before committing.
How much do Drafting/Design Engineering Tech graduates earn?
$71,753 four years after finishing the program. Half of graduates land between $56,763 and $85,957, so employer, role, and location move that number more than the degree itself. Source: College Scorecard.
What is the starting salary for a Drafting/Design Engineering Tech degree?
$60,153 in the first year out. That grows to $71,753 by year four, so do not judge this field on the entry-level number alone. Most of the gain shows up once you clear the first few years and move past entry-level roles. Source: College Scorecard.
What jobs can you get with a Drafting/Design Engineering Tech degree?
Electrical and Electronics Drafters are one path, and it pays a median of $76,870 a year. It is not the only one: the Career Paths section below lists every occupation graduates actually go into, with wages and 10-year growth for each.
How long does a Drafting/Design Engineering Tech program take?
Two years full-time at a community college for a Drafting/Design Engineering Tech associate degree. Many students use it as a stepping stone, transferring to a four-year school afterward to finish a bachelor's.
How many colleges offer Drafting/Design Engineering Tech?
609 colleges and universities, so you are not short on options. That range runs from community colleges granting certificates and associate degrees to research universities with full doctoral tracks. Source: IPEDS.
Is a Drafting/Design Engineering Tech degree worth it?
$71,753 median earnings four years out against $9,580 a year in average net price. That is a fast payback, and it holds up especially well at lower-cost schools. Use the Top Colleges section below to compare specific schools before deciding. Source: College Scorecard.
What is the difference between Drafting/Design Engineering Tech and Engineering Tech?
Drafting/Design Engineering Tech is the narrower of the two: Engineering Tech covers the full discipline, while this program limits the curriculum to Drafting/Design Engineering Tech-specific courses, skills, and career tracks. Pick the specialization once you already know this is the direction you want; it gets you a more targeted credential, not a broader one.
What skills do employers look for in Drafting/Design Engineering Tech graduates?
Coursework alone will not get you hired. Employers hiring Drafting/Design Engineering Tech graduates consistently look for analytical thinking, technical proficiency, and data interpretation. Employers typically prioritize candidates who can demonstrate hands-on project or internship experience alongside their coursework. Build those into your coursework and internships now, and the job search later gets easier.
Is graduate school worth it for Drafting/Design Engineering Tech graduates?
Usually worth considering. A master's in a STEM field 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. Weigh that against your own career goals, the program's cost, and whether your target role actually rewards the advanced credential.
What is the job outlook for Drafting/Design Engineering Tech graduates?
Outlook is slow overall: related occupations average -1.4% projected job growth over the next 10 years. Architectural and Civil Drafters are among the strongest-growth roles at +5.2%. That average hides real differences by role and location, so check the Career Paths section below for the projection on each specific occupation before you count on any single number.
Related Engineering Tech Programs
Other programs in Engineering Tech. Compare earnings, credentials, and career paths before committing to a specialization.
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