TRADES
+4.7%Construction
Plumbing, electrical, carpentry, and masonry — the skilled trades building America's infrastructure, with union wages and persistent labor shortages driving strong demand.
TRADES
Precision Production
Salary data, career paths, top colleges, and every specialization, all sourced from College Scorecard, IPEDS, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
About Precision Production
Welding, machining, and instrument-making — precision trade skills with strong employer demand in manufacturing, defense contracting, and construction supply chains. Graduates earn a national median of $47,488 four years after completing their degree, per College Scorecard data. The field is offered at 1,030 colleges and universities across the United States. Approximately 60,170 students complete degrees in this area each year.
- Median Earnings · 1yr
- $19,151
- Median Earnings · 4yr
- $47,488
- Colleges Offering
- 1,030
- Graduates / Year
- 60,170
- Specializations
- 2
- Avg Net Price / yr
- $13,181
Is a Precision Production Degree Right for You?
$47,488
Median earnings · 4yr
-10.8%
10yr job growth
2
Specializations
Is the Investment Worth It?
Breaks even in
~3
yrs
vs $30K/yr baseline wage
Solid ROI. Median earnings of $47,488 after 4 years. Against an estimated $52,724 four-year net cost, the typical graduate reaches earnings breakeven in roughly 3.0 years.
ROI varies significantly by specialization and institution. A top program in a high-demand specialization can return many multiples of its cost. A lower-tier program in a saturated field may take a decade to break even. Use the Specializations and Best Colleges sections above to compare your specific options before deciding.
How Much Do Precision Production Majors Earn?
Precision Production graduates start at a median $19,151 one year out and reach $47,488 four years later. Both figures are national medians from College Scorecard, measured across all 1,030 US institutions offering programs in this field.
$19,151
1 Year After Graduation
Median at the institutional level. Entry-level salaries; reflects career start, not peak earnings.
$47,488
4-Year National Median
Enrollment-weighted national median across all institutions. Most graduates have 2-3 years of career experience at this point.
$37,055
4-Year Institutional Median
Median of per-school medians. Each reporting college counts equally, regardless of size. Closer to what a typical school's graduates earn.
What Can You Do With a Precision Production Degree?
Career Paths for Precision Production Graduates
Precision Production connects to 2 occupations tracked by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, spanning entry-level and senior roles. Tool and Die Makers leads in median earnings at $64,050/yr. Each row includes national wages, employment levels, and 10-year growth projections.
Tool and Die Makers
Postsecondary nondegree award
$64,050
↘ -10.8% growth
Machinists
High school diploma or equivalent
$58,750
↗ +0.0% growth
Precision Production Specializations
Precision Production spans 4 specializations with relatively consistent earnings, from $47,488 to $47,488 at the four-year mark, per College Scorecard. Each row links to a full program profile with institution counts and annual completion data.
Specialization
Colleges
Grads/yr
Earnings · 4yr
Best Colleges for Precision Production
The 20 colleges below are ranked by Precision Production graduate volume, how many students completed this degree in the last reporting year. All data points shown (acceptance rate, net price, earnings, grad rate) come from College Scorecard and IPEDS.
1
Ivy Tech Community College
Indianapolis, IN · Public
Acceptance
Open
Net price/yr
$7,258
Earnings 10yr
$37,186
Grad rate
15%
2
Texas State Technical College
Waco, TX · Public
Acceptance
Open
Net price/yr
$13,508
Earnings 10yr
$38,916
Grad rate
28%
3
Central Louisiana Technical Community College
Alexandria, LA · Public
Acceptance
Open
Net price/yr
$5,702
Earnings 10yr
$29,558
Grad rate
36%
4
Northwood Technical College
Rice Lake, WI · Public
Acceptance
Open
Net price/yr
$8,989
Earnings 10yr
$43,406
Grad rate
52%
5
Bluegrass Community and Technical College
Lexington, KY · Public
Acceptance
Open
Net price/yr
$6,113
Earnings 10yr
$36,343
Grad rate
19%
6
Lincoln College of Technology-Grand Prairie
Grand Prairie, TX · For-Profit
Acceptance
Open
Net price/yr
$33,250
Earnings 10yr
$46,396
Grad rate
62%
7
Northshore Technical Community College
Lacombe, LA · Public
Acceptance
Open
Net price/yr
$10,773
Earnings 10yr
$29,734
Grad rate
20%
8
Mech-Tech College
Caguas, PR · For-Profit
Acceptance
Open
Net price/yr
$10,697
Earnings 10yr
$24,967
Grad rate
61%
9
Gateway Community and Technical College
Florence, KY · Public
Acceptance
Open
Net price/yr
$5,725
Earnings 10yr
$36,147
Grad rate
24%
10
Des Moines Area Community College
Ankeny, IA · Public
Acceptance
Open
Net price/yr
$11,171
Earnings 10yr
$41,018
Grad rate
26%
11
Owensboro Community and Technical College
Owensboro, KY · Public
Acceptance
Open
Net price/yr
$5,800
Earnings 10yr
$35,798
Grad rate
25%
12
Fox Valley Technical College
Appleton, WI · Public
Acceptance
Open
Net price/yr
$11,407
Earnings 10yr
$45,684
Grad rate
32%
13
Jefferson Community and Technical College
Louisville, KY · Public
Acceptance
Open
Net price/yr
$6,376
Earnings 10yr
$38,171
Grad rate
15%
14
Universal Technical Institute-Dallas Fort Worth
Irving, TX · For-Profit
Acceptance
Open
Net price/yr
$26,265
Earnings 10yr
$51,222
Grad rate
63%
15
Maysville Community and Technical College
Maysville, KY · Public
Acceptance
Open
Net price/yr
$4,605
Earnings 10yr
$32,194
Grad rate
26%
16
Indian Capital Technology Center-Muskogee
Muskogee, OK · Public
Acceptance
Open
Net price/yr
$4,895
Earnings 10yr
$33,208
Grad rate
77%
17
West Kentucky Community and Technical College
Paducah, KY · Public
Acceptance
Open
Net price/yr
$5,353
Earnings 10yr
$34,891
Grad rate
30%
18
Universal Technical Institute of Arizona Inc
Avondale, AZ · For-Profit
Acceptance
Open
Net price/yr
$30,451
Earnings 10yr
$52,873
Grad rate
63%
19
Universal Technical Institute of California Inc
Rancho Cucamonga, CA · For-Profit
Acceptance
Open
Net price/yr
$26,360
Earnings 10yr
$52,873
Grad rate
63%
20
Universal Technical Institute-Mooresville
Mooresville, NC · For-Profit
Acceptance
Open
Net price/yr
$28,915
Earnings 10yr
$52,873
Grad rate
63%
Ranked by number of Precision Production graduates per IPEDS completion data. Acceptance rate, net price, earnings, and graduation rate from College Scorecard. Read our methodology →
How Precision Production Compares to Similar Majors
Major
$30k
$40k
$50k
$60k
$70k
$80k
$90k
$100k
Plan Your Path
Decide with data, not guesswork. These tools turn the numbers on this page into a personal plan. Estimate the real cost of a Precision Production degree, compare colleges side-by-side, weigh the long-term payoff, and find programs that match your profile.
College ROI Calculator
See if a Precision Production degree pays off. Weighs each college's cost against the earnings its graduates actually see.
College Cost Calculator
Enter a budget and see the colleges whose net price fits, with the out-of-pocket cost and likely loan load for each.
Compare Colleges
Put any 2–4 colleges side-by-side. Admissions, cost, outcomes, and earnings, all on one screen, no tab-hopping.
College Match Quiz
Answer six quick questions and see your best-fit colleges ranked by budget, field of study, and what matters most to you.
Precision Production Degree: Pros & Cons
Precision Production carries financial trade-offs that prospective students should weigh carefully before committing. The 2 strengths and 2 concerns below are drawn from College Scorecard earnings, BLS job growth data, and IPEDS completion counts.
PROS
- Wide availability Offered at 1,030 colleges nationwide, including community colleges and online programs.
- Strong salary growth Median salary grows from $19,151 at graduation to $47,488 four years later, indicating solid career momentum.
CONS
- Modest median earnings Four-year median of $47,488 lags behind many STEM and business fields, which can affect ROI at higher-cost programs.
- Declining roles in some areas 1 related career within this field show negative 10-year employment projections per BLS. Research specific roles carefully before committing.
Precision Production Degree: Frequently Asked Questions
How much do Precision Production graduates earn?
Precision Production graduates earn a national median of $47,488 four years after completing their degree, per College Scorecard data. Earnings vary significantly by specialization, institution, and region. Use the specializations table on this page to compare programs.
What is the starting salary for a Precision Production degree?
The median earnings one year after graduation for Precision Production degree holders is $19,151 at the institutional level, per College Scorecard. Starting salaries vary by employer, location, and specific specialization within the field.
What jobs can you get with a Precision Production degree?
Precision Production degree holders work in a range of careers. Tool and Die Makers is one of the top roles by median wage ($64,050/yr nationally per BLS data). See the Career Paths section on this page for a full breakdown of related occupations, employment levels, and 10-year growth projections.
How many colleges offer Precision Production?
1,030 colleges and universities in the United States offer programs in Precision Production, per IPEDS data. Options range from community colleges offering associate degrees to research universities with doctoral programs. The Best Colleges section on this page ranks the top institutions by graduation volume.
Is a Precision Production degree worth it?
At a median 4-year earnings of $47,488 and an average net price of roughly $13,181/yr across institutions offering this major, a Precision Production degree can deliver strong returns, particularly in high-earning specializations. The ROI depends heavily on which institution and specialization you choose.
How long does it take to earn a Precision Production degree?
Precision Production programs range from two-year associate degrees to four-year bachelor's programs. Many students also enter through apprenticeships, which can provide an accelerated path into the field.
What skills do employers look for in Precision Production graduates?
Employers hiring Precision Production graduates consistently prioritize technical proficiency, safety compliance, hands-on problem-solving, and equipment operation. Certifications, apprenticeships, and demonstrated practical experience typically carry as much weight as academic credentials in this field.
What is the 10-year job outlook for Precision Production graduates?
Based on BLS projections, the job outlook for Precision Production graduates is mixed, with some declining roles, with an average of -5.4% projected growth across related occupations. Machinists is among the strongest-growth roles at +0.0%. Demand will vary by specialization, employer sector, and geographic region.
Related Findings
-
The Shrinking Majors, Where the Jobs Are Disappearing
Of 38 college major fields, only three face shrinking job demand over the decade. Precision production leads the decline at minus 7.4 percent, and it pays below average too.
- Job growth
- Shrinking majors
- BLS projections
- Precision production
- Communications technology
-
All 38 Majors, Ranked by What Graduates Earn
The highest-earning college major out-pays the lowest by a factor of two and a half. The full ranking of all 38 fields by median graduate earnings, with job growth alongside.
- Major earnings
- Highest paying majors
- Job growth
- STEM
- Field of study
-
Does Engineering Tech Out-Earn Engineering? The Data Says No
A popular claim holds that the applied engineering-tech degree pays more than the theoretical one. Across every program, engineering wins by about $10,000.
- Engineering tech
- Engineering
- Program earnings
- Applied degree
- Technician careers
Continue Exploring
Browse our full directory: every college, major, program, and career we track, all built from verified government data.
Colleges
Discover 3,811 verified US colleges and universities. Compare admissions, costs, outcomes, and earnings across every accredited institution nationwide.
Majors
Explore 38 fields of study spanning STEM, health, business, and the humanities. See earnings, top programs, and demand.
Programs
Browse 375 specific degree programs. See completion counts, earnings outcomes, and the colleges awarding the most graduates each year.
Careers
Look up 395 BLS occupations. Get median wages, growth projections, education requirements, and the majors leading to each career.