# Precision Metal Working

> Precision Metal Working is a field of study in the Precision Production area.

- Edition: Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition
- Page: https://www.collegesref.com/programs/precision-metal-working
- CIP code: 48.05 (Precision Production)
- Colleges offering it: 731 at its most common degree level

## Outcomes by degree level (College Scorecard, 2025)

| Degree level | Colleges | Median earnings 1 yr | Median earnings 4 yrs | Median federal debt |
| --- | ---: | ---: | ---: | ---: |
| Certificate | 731 | $43,274 | $49,100 | $7,176 |
| Associate's | 480 | $49,506 | $58,640 | $11,033 |
| Bachelor's | 1 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 1 | not reported | not reported | not reported |

## Colleges whose graduates earn the most (Associate's)

Only programs with at least 10 graduates are listed.

| College | Location | Median earnings 4 yrs | Median debt |
| --- | --- | ---: | ---: |
| [Ferris State University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/ferris-state-university-949) | Big Rapids, MI | $86,941 | $12,000 |
| [Del Mar College](https://www.collegesref.com/college/del-mar-college-782) | Corpus Christi, TX | $79,303 | not reported |
| [Hennepin Technical College](https://www.collegesref.com/college/hennepin-technical-college-1182) | Brooklyn Park, MN | $76,020 | $11,033 |
| [Des Moines Area Community College](https://www.collegesref.com/college/des-moines-area-community-college-797) | Ankeny, IA | $75,145 | not reported |
| [Ivy Tech Community College](https://www.collegesref.com/college/ivy-tech-community-college-1314) | Indianapolis, IN | $75,002 | $5,900 |
| [Dunwoody College of Technology](https://www.collegesref.com/college/dunwoody-college-of-technology-838) | Minneapolis, MN | $70,886 | $12,000 |
| [Pennsylvania College of Technology](https://www.collegesref.com/college/pennsylvania-college-of-technology-2096) | Williamsport, PA | $70,298 | $19,500 |
| [Austin Community College District](https://www.collegesref.com/college/austin-community-college-district-152) | Austin, TX | $69,185 | not reported |
| [Ranken Technical College](https://www.collegesref.com/college/ranken-technical-college-2188) | Saint Louis, MO | $68,297 | not reported |
| [Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology](https://www.collegesref.com/college/thaddeus-stevens-college-of-technology-2715) | Lancaster, PA | $68,071 | $12,000 |

## Related careers (NCES CIP–SOC crosswalk)

- [Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/computer-numerically-controlled-tool-programmers): $68,120 median pay
- [Tool and Die Makers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/tool-and-die-makers): $64,050 median pay
- [Layout Workers, Metal and Plastic](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/layout-workers-metal-and-plastic): $63,870 median pay
- [Model Makers, Metal and Plastic](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/model-makers-metal-and-plastic): $63,340 median pay
- [Sheet Metal Workers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/sheet-metal-workers): $61,800 median pay
- [Machinists](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/machinists): $58,750 median pay
- [Patternmakers, Metal and Plastic](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/patternmakers-metal-and-plastic): $58,000 median pay
- [Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/welders-cutters-solderers-and-brazers): $53,750 median pay
- [Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/milling-and-planing-machine-setters-operators-and-tenders-metal-and-plastic): $52,800 median pay
- [Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/structural-metal-fabricators-and-fitters): $51,330 median pay
- [Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/computer-numerically-controlled-tool-operators): $50,690 median pay
- [Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/lathe-and-turning-machine-tool-setters-operators-and-tenders-metal-and-plastic): $50,620 median pay
- [Rolling Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/rolling-machine-setters-operators-and-tenders-metal-and-plastic): $50,140 median pay
- [Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/tool-grinders-filers-and-sharpeners): $50,060 median pay
- [Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/drilling-and-boring-machine-tool-setters-operators-and-tenders-metal-and-plastic): $49,080 median pay
- [Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/forging-machine-setters-operators-and-tenders-metal-and-plastic): $49,030 median pay
- [Heat Treating Equipment Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/heat-treating-equipment-setters-operators-and-tenders-metal-and-plastic): $48,750 median pay
- [Foundry Mold and Coremakers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/foundry-mold-and-coremakers): $48,110 median pay
- [Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/welding-soldering-and-brazing-machine-setters-operators-and-tenders): $47,920 median pay
- [Extruding and Drawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/extruding-and-drawing-machine-setters-operators-and-tenders-metal-and-plastic): $47,720 median pay
- [Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/multiple-machine-tool-setters-operators-and-tenders-metal-and-plastic): $47,180 median pay
- [Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/grinding-lapping-polishing-and-buffing-machine-tool-setters-operators-and-tenders-metal): $46,550 median pay
- [Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/cutting-punching-and-press-machine-setters-operators-and-tenders-metal-and-plastic): $46,330 median pay
- [Metal Workers and Plastic Workers, All Other](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/metal-workers-and-plastic-workers-all-other): $45,950 median pay

## More in Precision Production

- [Woodworking](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/woodworking): 55 colleges
- Precision Production, Other: 12 colleges
- Leatherworking and Upholstery: 9 colleges
- Precision Production Trades, General: 5 colleges
- Boilermaking/Boilermaker: 4 colleges

## Sources

- U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard field-of-study data, 2025: https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/data/
- NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) 2020: https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/cipcode/