Precision Metal Working at Minneapolis Community and Technical College

Minneapolis, MN · Public · Associate Degree

with a smaller student body of 4,816 in Minneapolis, MN.

Program Analysis

At $44,635 per year, Precision Metal Working graduates from Minneapolis Community and Technical College earn slightly above the $36,869 national median. The premium is real but not dramatic.

The 43.7x 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 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.

Ranked #140 out of 355 programs, Minneapolis Community and Technical 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 $44,635 to $54,802 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.

59 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
58
Low End
59
Score
60
High End
Earnings $44,635/yr (21% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (87% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (164,200 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$568K
5.3% annual growth
Earnings Multiple
46.4x
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
$12,256
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$54,802
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

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 59/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Precision Metal Working at Minneapolis Community and Technical College?
This program scores 59/100, reflecting respectable but not exceptional financial outcomes for Precision Metal Working graduates.
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.
Can I learn Precision Metal Working through an apprenticeship instead?
There are 131 registered apprenticeships connected to Precision Metal Working occupations. 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 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 →