Precision Metal Working at Advanced Career Institute

Visalia, CA · Private for-profit · Certificate

a compact campus enrolling 780 students in Visalia, CA.

Program Analysis

Advanced Career Institute's Precision Metal Working program produces graduates earning $31,401/yr — within striking distance of the $36,869 national average for this trade.

With only 13% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, the scenario spread is tight at 8%. Career paths for Precision Metal Working are among the more automation-resistant trades we analyze.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $8,023 in median debt clears fast against $31,401 in annual earnings.

At #308 out of 355 programs, Advanced Career Institute's financial outcomes for Precision Metal Working trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

Earnings growth is modest: $31,401 to $35,164 over five years (12% gain). This trade may have a lower salary ceiling than high-growth professions.

With 131 registered apprenticeships mapped to Precision Metal Working, graduates have substantial options for hands-on training paths that pay from day one.

48 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
47
Low End
48
Score
49
High End
Earnings $31,401/yr (-15% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (87% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (164,200 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$358K
2.9% annual growth
Viable Career Paths
22 of 24
Occupations with strong AI resilience

Projected 10-Year Earnings

Based on actual graduate salary data and Bureau of Labor Statistics growth projections.

Median Debt at Graduation
$8,023
3.1 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$35,164
12% growth from Year 1

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Precision Metal Working graduates by median salary.

Career Path Median Salary Growth AI-ProofAI
Computer numerically controlled tool programmers $65,670 +12.8% 20%
Tool and die makers $63,180 -10.8% 81%
Model makers, metal and plastic $62,700 -18.2% 84%
Computer numerically controlled tool programmers
$65,670
+12.8% growth 20% AI-proof
Tool and die makers
$63,180
-10.8% growth 81% AI-proof
Model makers, metal and plastic
$62,700
-18.2% growth 84% AI-proof

View all 24 career paths with full salary data →

About Precision Metal Working Careers

You’ll begin your career with your hands on the tools of the trade. As a welder, you could be fusing steel beams high on a construction site or meticulously joining pipes for critical infrastructure. As a machinist, you might work from complex blueprints, operating lathes and mills to craft high-tolerance parts for the aerospace or medical industries. Most paths start with an apprenticeship, learning directly from seasoned professionals on the job.

Read the full Precision Metal Working career guide →

Compare & Explore

Precision Metal Working Overview

Precision Metal Working at Other Schools

Other Majors at Advanced Career Institute

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 48/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Precision Metal Working at Advanced Career Institute?
A score of 48/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Precision Metal Working. Earnings, ROI, or job market factors are pulling the score down.
How safe is Precision Metal Working from automation?
Highly resilient. Precision Metal Working careers are fundamentally hands-on — they require physical presence and manual skill that AI cannot replicate. Graduates retain 22 of 24 viable career paths even under conservative assumptions.
How affordable is Precision Metal Working at Advanced Career Institute?
Median debt of just $8,023 against $31,401/yr in starting salary means graduates can clear their loans in under 3 months. This is one of the more affordable paths in our dataset.
What apprenticeship pathways exist for Precision Metal Working graduates?
Yes — 131 registered apprenticeship programs are mapped to Precision Metal Working career paths, including Cnc Operator - Milling. Apprenticeships offer paid on-the-job training as an alternative or complement to certificate programs.
Is there demand for Precision Metal Working workers?
The career paths mapped to Precision Metal Working have roughly 164,200 combined annual openings nationally, making this a very large job market. Trade careers in this field benefit from consistent replacement demand as workers retire.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →