TRADES Specialization

Precision Production Trades

Precision Production Trades 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.

About Precision Production Trades

This page covers Precision Production Trades as a course of study: what it costs, where it is taught, and what graduates go on to earn. It sits inside the wider field of Precision Production and how it pays overall, which is the better comparison if you are still choosing between subjects.

Precision Production Trades is a focused area of study within Precision Production. You will not have trouble finding it: 10 colleges offer this program, from community colleges to research universities. About 55 students complete it each year, most walking away with a certificate. Training is practical and skills-based, with a fast path from classroom to job site.


Colleges Offering
10
Graduates / Year
55
Avg Net Price / yr
$7,285

Who Studies This? Credential Breakdown

Of the 55 students who complete Precision Production Trades programs each year, the majority (65%) earn a certificate degree. The breakdown below shows the full credential distribution.

Certificate 65%
Doctorate 24%
Associate's 12%

What Can You Do With a Precision Production Trades Degree?

This degree does not lock you into one job. Precision Production Trades graduates show up in 2 different occupations, and Tool and Die Makers pay the most at $64,050/yr median. Expand any card below to see daily responsibilities, in-demand skills, and 10-year growth projections.

The best-paid of these is what Tool and Die Makers earn and how fast those roles are growing, though entry requirements vary across the list.

↘ -9.2%
$64,050
$51K $79K 25th–75th pct.
Postsecondary nondegree award 4,300 openings/yr 57K employed nationally
↗ +1.0%
$58,750
$48K $68K 25th–75th pct.
High school diploma or equivalent 26,100 openings/yr 287K employed nationally

Top Colleges for Precision Production Trades

Only 4 colleges had enough verified data to appear here for Precision Production Trades. They are sorted by graduate volume, not selectivity, so use them as a starting point rather than a ranking.

Ranked by score, that list starts with the cost and outcomes at Northcentral Technical College, and the rest follow the same measures.

# College Graduates Acceptance Net Price/yr Earnings 10yr
1 Northcentral Technical College Wausau, WI · Public 12 Open $10,303 $44,925
2 Metropolitan Community College Area Omaha, NE · Public 2 Open $4,982 $38,773
3 Delaware County Community College Media, PA · Public 2 Open $6,576 $45,391
4 Montcalm Community College Sidney, MI · Public 2 Open $7,280 $35,499

Ranked by Precision Production Trades graduate volume. Scroll right to compare key stats. Read our methodology →

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 Trades program, compare colleges side-by-side, weigh the long-term payoff, and find schools that match your profile.

Precision Production Trades Degree: Pros & Cons

The data on Precision Production Trades shows 2 measurable strengths and 3 real trade-offs. All points are sourced from College Scorecard earnings, BLS projections, and IPEDS graduate counts.

PROS
  • Strong hiring volume Related occupations generate more than 30,400 job openings per year combined, creating consistent demand for graduates.
  • Flexible credential paths Programs are available from certificate and associate levels through bachelor's and graduate degrees, giving students real options based on timeline and goals.
CONS
  • Licensure often required Many positions in this field require trade licenses, certifications, or apprenticeship completion. These add time and cost beyond the academic credential.
  • Declining roles in some areas 1 related career show negative 10-year employment projections. Research specific roles before committing.
  • Limited program availability Only 10 colleges offer this program nationally, which may limit geographic flexibility when choosing a school.

Precision Production Trades Degree: Frequently Asked Questions

What jobs can you get with a Precision Production Trades degree?
Tool and Die Makers are one path, and it pays a median of $64,050 a year. It is not the only one: the Career Paths section below lists every occupation graduates actually go into, with wages and 10-year growth for each.
How long does a Precision Production Trades program take?
One to two years of full-time study for most Precision Production Trades certificates, and some community colleges get you through in a single semester. That makes it one of the fastest ways into the field.
How many colleges offer Precision Production Trades?
10 colleges and universities, so you are not short on options. That range runs from community colleges granting certificates and associate degrees to research universities with full doctoral tracks. Source: IPEDS.
What is the difference between Precision Production Trades and Precision Production?
Precision Production Trades is the narrower of the two: Precision Production covers the full discipline, while this program limits the curriculum to Precision Production Trades-specific courses, skills, and career tracks. Pick the specialization once you already know this is the direction you want; it gets you a more targeted credential, not a broader one.
What skills do employers look for in Precision Production Trades graduates?
Coursework alone will not get you hired. Employers hiring Precision Production Trades graduates consistently look for 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. Build those into your coursework and internships now, and the job search later gets easier.
What is the job outlook for Precision Production Trades graduates?
Outlook is slow overall: related occupations average -4.1% projected job growth over the next 10 years. Machinists are among the strongest-growth roles at +1.0%. That average hides real differences by role and location, so check the Career Paths section below for the projection on each specific occupation before you count on any single number.

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