Precision Metalworking at Elizabethtown Community and Technical College

Elizabethtown, KY · Public · Associate Degree · Precision Metal Working

a compact campus enrolling 3,775 students in Elizabethtown, KY.

Program Analysis

Graduates of Elizabethtown Community and Technical College's Precision Metalworking program earn $48,709/yr in their first year — 32% above the $36,869 national median, a strong market signal for this institution.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 58.0x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Precision Metalworking programs nationally.

AI disruption models show minimal impact on this program's career paths. The gap between optimistic and pessimistic scenarios is just 9% — this trade's hands-on core resists automation.

At #92 of 355 Precision Metalworking programs, Elizabethtown Community and Technical College scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Precision Metalworking offers 131 registered apprenticeship pathways — an unusually broad set of earn-while-you-learn alternatives to the classroom track.

64 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
63
Low End
64
Score
65
High End
Earnings $48,709/yr (32% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (87% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (164,200 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$558K
3.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
60.0x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
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.

Program Tuition (In-State)
$9,312
Out-of-state: $12,384

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Precision Metalworking 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 →

Precision Metalworking Career Guide

Explore what Precision Metalworking graduates do, from entry-level roles to long-term career paths across 355 programs nationwide.

Read the full Precision Metalworking career guide →

Compare & Explore

Precision Metalworking Overview

Precision Metalworking at Other Schools

Other Majors at Elizabethtown Community and Technical College

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 64/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Precision Metalworking at Elizabethtown Community and Technical College?
This program scores 64/100, reflecting respectable but not exceptional financial outcomes for Precision Metalworking graduates.
How safe is Precision Metalworking from automation?
Highly resilient. Precision Metalworking careers are fundamentally hands-on — they require physical presence and manual skill that AI cannot replicate. Elizabethtown Community and Technical College graduates retain 22 of 24 viable career paths even under conservative assumptions.
Are there apprenticeship options for Precision Metalworking?
There are 131 registered apprenticeships connected to Precision Metalworking occupations, such as Cnc Operator - Milling and Cnc Operator - Milling And Turning. The earn-while-you-learn model means no tuition debt and immediate income, though the training period is typically longer.
How many job openings are there for Precision Metalworking graduates?
Job availability for Precision Metalworking is strong — 164,200 positions open annually across the mapped career paths. For Elizabethtown Community and Technical College graduates specifically, local market conditions in KY may shift the picture.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →