Precision Metal Working at CET-Oxnard

Oxnard, CA · Private nonprofit · Certificate

with a smaller student body of 82 in Oxnard, CA.

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $32,817/yr, roughly in line with the $36,869 national median for Precision Metal Working. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

AI risk is moderate — 13% task exposure — and the 18% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook for Precision Metal Working graduates.

With first-year pay of $32,817 far exceeding the $8,500 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

At #290 out of 355 programs, CET-Oxnard's financial outcomes for Precision Metal Working trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $32,817 to $40,269 shows 23% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

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

49 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
48
Low End
49
Score
50
High End
Earnings $32,817/yr (-11% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (87% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (164,200 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$418K
5.2% 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
$8,500
3.1 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$40,269
23% 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 CET-Oxnard

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 49/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Precision Metal Working at CET-Oxnard?
At 49/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Precision Metal Working programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
How AI-proof is a career in Precision Metal Working?
Precision Metal Working rates as "AI-Proof" for AI resilience. With only 13% of tasks exposed to automation, the trade's physical demands provide a natural shield against AI displacement.
How affordable is Precision Metal Working at CET-Oxnard?
Median debt of just $8,500 against $32,817/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.
Are there apprenticeship options for Precision Metal Working?
Precision Metal Working connects to 131 apprenticeship pathways. These DOL-registered programs combine structured training with paid employment — a strong alternative for students who prefer hands-on learning over classroom instruction.
How many job openings are there for Precision Metal Working graduates?
With approximately 164,200 annual openings across mapped careers, Precision Metal Working offers a very large employment pool. Physical trades tend to have steady demand driven by infrastructure and construction cycles.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →