Electromechanical Instrumentation and Maintenance Technologies/Technicians (Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma) at Cabrillo College

Est. Earnings (1yr)

$50,675

Est. from national median (20 programs)

Est. Median Debt

$7,625

Est. from national median (7 programs)

Analysis

At $7,625 in estimated debt—significantly below both the state ($14,964) and national ($9,929) medians for electromechanical programs—Cabrillo's certificate appears unusually affordable. First-year earnings from comparable programs nationwide hover around $50,700, translating to a debt burden of just three months of gross pay. For technical training that doesn't require a bachelor's degree, this financial profile is hard to beat.

The challenge is uncertainty. Both the earnings and debt figures are estimates based on peer programs because too few graduates from Cabrillo's specific program exist in the federal data to report actual outcomes. This could mean the program is small and highly selective, or simply new. What we do know: electromechanical technicians are in demand across California's manufacturing and tech sectors, and similar certificate programs in the state produce median earnings right in line with these estimates.

For parents evaluating a one-year certificate against four-year degrees or other technical paths, the math is straightforward even with estimation: low debt plus immediate earning potential in a skilled trade. The real due diligence here is contacting Cabrillo directly about job placement rates and local employer partnerships—the kind of program-specific details that matter more than any national median when the credential is this targeted and the financial downside is this contained.

Where Cabrillo College Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all electromechanical instrumentation and maintenance technologies/technicians certificate's programs nationally

Compare to Similar Programs in California

Electromechanical Instrumentation and Maintenance Technologies/Technicians certificate's programs at peer institutions in California (37 total in state)

Scroll to see more →

School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)*	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt*	Debt/Earnings
Cabrillo CollegeAptos	$1,270	$50,675*	—	$7,625*	—
Southern California Institute of TechnologyAnaheim	$20,515	$50,793*	$61,655	$9,929*	0.20
National Median	—	$50,674*	—	$9,929*	0.20

* Estimated from similar programs

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with electromechanical instrumentation and maintenance technologies/technicians graduates

Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians

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.

$77,180/yrJobs growth:Associate's degree

Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians

Operate, test, maintain, or adjust unmanned, automated, servomechanical, or electromechanical equipment. May operate unmanned submarines, aircraft, or other equipment to observe or record visual information at sites such as oil rigs, crop fields, buildings, or for similar infrastructure, deep ocean exploration, or hazardous waste removal. May assist engineers in testing and designing robotics equipment.

$70,760/yrJobs growth:Associate's degree

Robotics Technicians

Build, install, test, or maintain robotic equipment or related automated production systems.

$70,760/yrJobs growth:Associate's degree

Electrical and Electronics Drafters

Prepare wiring diagrams, circuit board assembly diagrams, and layout drawings used for the manufacture, installation, or repair of electrical equipment.

$65,380/yrJobs growth:Associate's degree

Calibration Technologists and Technicians

Execute or adapt procedures and techniques for calibrating measurement devices, by applying knowledge of measurement science, mathematics, physics, chemistry, and electronics, sometimes under the direction of engineering staff. Determine measurement standard suitability for calibrating measurement devices. May perform preventive maintenance on equipment. May perform corrective actions to address identified calibration problems.

$65,040/yrJobs growth:Associate's degree

Medical Equipment Repairers

Test, adjust, or repair biomedical or electromedical equipment.

$62,630/yrJobs growth:Associate's degree

Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other

All engineering technologists and technicians, except drafters, not listed separately.

Non-Destructive Testing Specialists

Test the safety of structures, vehicles, or vessels using x-ray, ultrasound, fiber optic or related equipment.

Photonics Technicians

Build, install, test, or maintain optical or fiber optic equipment, such as lasers, lenses, or mirrors, using spectrometers, interferometers, or related equipment.

Precision Instrument and Equipment Repairers, All Other

All precision instrument and equipment repairers not listed separately.

About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Cabrillo College, approximately 22% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the national median of 20 similar programs. Actual outcomes may vary.