This varies based on your deposit, CD rate and term length. For example, a $10,000 deposit in a five-year CD with 3% APY will earn nearly $1,600 in interest, while a CD with 0.01% APY, all other factors the same, only earns $5 in interest. CD rate is quoted in annual precentage yield. Historically, rates of CD yields have varied greatly. During the high-inflation years of the late 1970s and 1980s, CDs had return rates of almost 20%. On the other hand, CD rates have dropped to as low as standard savings rates during certain years. CD rates have declined since 1984, a time when they once exceeded 10% APY. Using an interest calculator, check your figures and review the APY. Your $1,000 certificate of deposit at 3 percent annual interest compounded monthly would yield a total of $30.42, based on calculations at Bankrate.com. The annual percentage yield or rate return is 3.042 and the ending balance is $1,030.42.