Precision Metal Working at Houston Community College
serving a student body of 37,970 in Houston, TX.
Program Analysis
Starting salaries of $27,696/yr fall 25% below the $36,869 national median for Precision Metal Working. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.
The 185.6x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. Trade programs often deliver strong ratios, and this one is a standout.
AI exposure is significant at 13% of job tasks, producing a 31% spread between best and worst-case decade earnings. The field isn't immune to disruption.
At $9,500 in median debt against $27,696 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance quickly — a hallmark of affordable trade programs.
Ranked #119 out of 355 programs, Houston Community College's Precision Metal Working offering sits in the upper half but doesn't break into the top tier.
The five-year earnings trajectory from $27,696 to $39,000 shows 41% 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.
Earnings Overview
Projected 10-Year Earnings
Based on actual graduate salary data and Bureau of Labor Statistics growth projections.
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% |
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.