Bright outlook
Production
Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers
- Median pay
- $68,120
- Outlook
- Faster than average
Postsecondary certificate
- Programming
- Monitoring
- Complex Problem Solving
Precision Metal Working
CIP48.05
731 colleges offer Precision Metal Working. See what it covers, which degree levels are available and what graduates earn and borrow.
Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition
- Colleges offering it
- 731
- at its most common level
Colleges offering it, by degree level
- Certificate
- 731
- Associate's
- 480
- Bachelor's
- 1
- Post-baccalaureate certificate
- 1
What it covers
About Precision Metal Working
Precision Metal Working is part of Precision Production: instructional programs that prepare individuals to apply technical knowledge and skills to create products using techniques of precision craftsmanship or technical illustration.
Definition: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs 2020, code 48.05.
Programs in this field
Colleges report these specific programs under CIP 48.05.
- Machine Tool Technology/Machinist
- Machine Shop Technology/Assistant
- Sheet Metal Technology/Sheetworking
- Tool and Die Technology/Technician
- Welding Technology/Welder
- Ironworking/Ironworker
- Computer Numerically Controlled (CNC) Machinist Technology/CNC Machinist
- Metal Fabricator
By degree level
Earnings and debt by degree level
Medians across colleges of each college's own program median. Earnings are for graduates who received federal aid and were working.
| Degree level | Colleges | Median earnings | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Certificate | 731 | $49,1004 yrs after · 230 colleges | $7,17684 colleges |
| Associate's | 480 | $58,6404 yrs after · 64 colleges | $11,03319 colleges |
| Bachelor's | 1 | Not reported | Not reported |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 1 | Not reported | Not reported |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard field-of-study data, 2025. Colleges with too few graduates have their earnings and debt suppressed, so the number of colleges reporting is smaller than the number offering the program.
Associate's programs
Where Precision Metal Working graduates earn the most
Median earnings four years after finishing, among programs with at least 10 graduates in the latest year. Earnings are one measure; cost and graduation rate matter too.
- 1
Big Rapids, MI · Public · 61 graduates
$86,941
debt $12,000
- 2
Corpus Christi, TX · Public · 32 graduates
$79,303
debt not reported
- 3
Brooklyn Park, MN · Public · 26 graduates
$76,020
debt $11,033
- 4
Des Moines Area Community College
Ankeny, IA · Public · 20 graduates
$75,145
debt not reported
- 5
Indianapolis, IN · Public · 144 graduates
$75,002
debt $5,900
- 6
Dunwoody College of Technology
Minneapolis, MN · Private nonprofit · 27 graduates
$70,886
debt $12,000
- 7
Pennsylvania College of Technology
Williamsport, PA · Public · 76 graduates
$70,298
debt $19,500
- 8
Austin Community College District
Austin, TX · Public · 30 graduates
$69,185
debt not reported
- 9
Saint Louis, MO · Private nonprofit · 14 graduates
$68,297
debt not reported
- 10
Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology
Lancaster, PA · Public · 58 graduates
$68,071
debt $12,000
Careers
Careers this program leads to
Occupations linked to Precision Metal Working by the NCES CIP–SOC crosswalk, highest national median pay first. Pay and outlook are BLS figures for each occupation.
Production
Tool and Die Makers
- Median pay
- $64,050
- Outlook
- Decline
Postsecondary certificate
- Operation and Control
- Operations Monitoring
- Quality Control Analysis
Production
Layout Workers, Metal and Plastic
- Median pay
- $63,870
- Outlook
- Decline
High school diploma
- Mathematics
- Complex Problem Solving
- Critical Thinking
Production
Model Makers, Metal and Plastic
- Median pay
- $63,340
- Outlook
- Decline
High school diploma
- Operation and Control
- Operations Monitoring
- Critical Thinking
Construction and extraction
Sheet Metal Workers
- Median pay
- $61,800
- Outlook
- As fast as average
High school diploma
- Coordination
- Critical Thinking
- Monitoring
Production
Machinists
- Median pay
- $58,750
- Outlook
- Slower than average
High school diploma
- Operation and Control
- Critical Thinking
- Monitoring
Production
Patternmakers, Metal and Plastic
- Median pay
- $58,000
- Outlook
- Decline
High school diploma
- Operation and Control
- Critical Thinking
- Operations Monitoring
Production
Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers
- Median pay
- $53,750
- Outlook
- As fast as average
High school diploma
- Quality Control Analysis
- Monitoring
- Critical Thinking
More in Precision Production
Other programs in the same area of study, by how many colleges offer them.
Every program in this areaQuestions about Precision Metal Working
How many colleges offer Precision Metal Working?
Published colleges on CollegesRef report Precision Metal Working at these degree levels: certificate (731 colleges), associate's (480 colleges), bachelor's (1 college), post-baccalaureate certificate (1 college). Counts are from College Scorecard field-of-study data (2025).
Where do Precision Metal Working graduates earn the most?
Ferris State University reports the highest median earnings for associate's graduates in Precision Metal Working: $86,941 four years after finishing, among programs with at least 10 graduates.