Heavy Equipment Technology at Dakota County Technical College
with a smaller student body of 2,083 in Rosemount, MN.
Program Analysis
Graduates of Dakota County Technical College's Heavy Equipment Technology program earn $67,618/yr in their first year — 31% above the $51,528 national median, a strong market signal for this institution.
Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 60.4x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Heavy Equipment Technology programs nationally.
AI disruption models show minimal impact on this program's career paths. The gap between optimistic and pessimistic scenarios is just 9% — this trade's hands-on core resists automation.
At $12,000 in median debt against $67,618 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance quickly — a hallmark of affordable trade programs.
At #29 of 80 Heavy Equipment Technology programs, Dakota County Technical College scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.
Five-year earnings of $76,596 are relatively flat compared to the $67,618 starting salary — typical of trades with stable but capped salary bands.
Heavy Equipment Technology offers 67 registered apprenticeship pathways — an unusually broad set of earn-while-you-learn alternatives to the classroom track.
Earnings Overview
Projected 10-Year Earnings
Based on actual graduate salary data and Bureau of Labor Statistics growth projections.
Top Career Paths
Top career paths for Heavy Equipment Technology graduates by median salary.
| Career Path | Median Salary | Growth | AI-ProofAI |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elevator and escalator installers and repairers | $106,580 | +5.0% | 82% |
| Control and valve installers and repairers, except mechanical door | $74,690 | +1.3% | 87% |
| Rail car repairers | $65,680 | +2.8% | 90% |
Heavy Equipment Technology Career Guide
Explore what Heavy Equipment Technology graduates do, from entry-level roles to long-term career paths across 80 programs nationwide.
Compare & Explore
Heavy Equipment Technology Overview
Heavy Equipment Technology at Other Schools
Other Majors at Dakota County Technical College
Considering a 4-Year Degree Instead?
Compare how bachelor's degree graduates fare on earnings, ROI, and AI resilience.