Precision Metal Working graduates pursue 2 occupations, with top roles paying $64,050/yr or more. The career cards below break down wages, daily tasks, and 10-year job growth projections for each.
Precision Metal Working is a focused area of study within Precision Production. The program is available at 1,010 colleges across the U.S., from community colleges to research universities. About 59,352 students complete this program each year, most earning a certificate. Training is practical and skills-based, with a fast path from classroom to job site.
Colleges Offering
1,010
Graduates / Year
59,352
Avg Net Price / yr
$13,181
Who Studies This? Credential Breakdown
Of the 59,352 students who complete Precision Metal Working programs each year, the majority (67%) earn a certificate degree.
The breakdown below shows the full credential distribution.
67%
Certificate67%
Doctorate17%
Associate's16%
What Can You Do With a Precision Metal Working Degree?
Precision Metal Working connects to 2 occupations in the job market. Tool and Die Makers leads at $64,050/yr median. Expand any card to see daily responsibilities, in-demand skills, and 10-year growth projections.
Quality Control AnalysisOperation and ControlOperations MonitoringJudgment and Decision MakingTime Management
Day-to-day responsibilities
Analyze specifications, lay out metal stock, set up and operate machine tools, and fit and assemble parts to make and repair dies, cutting tools, jigs, fixtures, gauges, and machinists' hand tools.
Verify dimensions, alignments, and clearances of finished parts for conformance to specifications, using measuring instruments such as calipers, gauge blocks, micrometers, or dial indicators.
Set up and operate conventional or computer numerically controlled machine tools such as lathes, milling machines, or grinders to cut, bore, grind, or otherwise shape parts to prescribed dimensions and finishes.
Visualize and compute dimensions, sizes, shapes, and tolerances of assemblies, based on specifications.
High school diploma or equivalent29,500 openings/yr287K employed nationally
Operation and ControlCritical ThinkingOperations MonitoringMonitoringCoordination
Day-to-day responsibilities
Set up and operate a variety of machine tools to produce precision parts and instruments out of metal. Includes precision instrument makers who fabricate, modify, or repair mechanical instruments. May also fabricate and modify parts to make or repair machine tools or maintain industrial machines, applying knowledge of mechanics, mathematics, metal properties, layout, and machining procedures.
Calculate dimensions or tolerances, using instruments, such as micrometers or vernier calipers.
Machine parts to specifications, using machine tools, such as lathes, milling machines, shapers, or grinders.
Measure, examine, or test completed units to check for defects and ensure conformance to specifications, using precision instruments, such as micrometers.
Top Colleges for Precision Metal Working
The 20 colleges below are ranked by how many Precision Metal Working students they graduate each year. Scroll right to compare acceptance rate, net price, and median earnings side by side.
Ranked by Precision Metal Working graduate volume. Scroll right to compare key stats.
Read our methodology →
Related Precision Production Programs
Precision Metal Working is one of 4 specializations within Precision Production. The comparison below shows where this program ranks by 4-year median earnings.
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The data on Precision Metal Working shows 2 measurable strengths and 2 real trade-offs. All points are sourced from College Scorecard earnings, BLS projections, and IPEDS graduate counts.
PROS
Strong hiring volumeRelated occupations generate more than 34,200 job openings per year combined, creating consistent demand for graduates.
Wide availabilityOffered at 1,010 colleges nationwide, with options at every price point and institution type.
CONS
Licensure often requiredMany positions in this field require trade licenses, certifications, or apprenticeship completion. These add time and cost beyond the academic credential.
Declining roles in some areas1 related career show negative 10-year employment projections. Research specific roles before committing.
Precision Metal Working Degree: Frequently Asked Questions
What jobs can you get with a Precision Metal Working degree?
Precision Metal Working degree holders pursue careers including Tool and Die Makers, which pays a median of $64,050/yr. Scroll down to the Career Paths section to see wages and job growth projections for every related occupation.
How long does a Precision Metal Working program take?
Most Precision Metal Working certificate programs take one to two years of full-time study. Some are available in as little as one semester at community colleges.
How many colleges offer Precision Metal Working?
1,010 colleges and universities in the United States offer Precision Metal Working programs. Options range from community colleges with certificates and associate degrees to research universities with doctoral tracks.
What is the difference between Precision Metal Working and Precision Production?
Precision Metal Working is a focused concentration within the broader Precision Production field. The Precision Production major covers the full discipline; this program narrows the curriculum to Precision Metal Working-specific courses, skills, and career tracks. If you already know this is the direction you want, the specialized program gives you a more targeted credential.
What skills do employers look for in Precision Metal Working graduates?
Employers hiring Precision Metal Working graduates consistently prioritize technical proficiency, safety compliance, and hands-on problem-solving. Certifications, apprenticeships, and demonstrated practical experience typically carry as much weight as academic credentials in this field.
What is the job outlook for Precision Metal Working graduates?
The job outlook for Precision Metal Working graduates is slow overall. Related occupations project an average of -5.4% job growth over the next 10 years. Machinists is among the strongest-growth roles at +0.0%. Growth varies by role and location, so check the Career Paths section for projections on each specific occupation.
Related Precision Production Programs
Other programs in Precision Production. Compare earnings, credentials, and career paths before committing to a specialization.
Free, data-backed guides to help you decide, built on the same federal data as this profile.
H
How to Choose a Major Pillar
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Why the 10-year job-growth outlook often matters more than today's salary, what the BLS projections measure, and how to use them to weigh the future of a field, not just its present.
Original data analyses built on the same federal data as this profile. Rankings, outliers, and patterns, no opinions.
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