Precision Metal Working at Northcentral Technical College
with a smaller student body of 3,479 in Wausau, WI.
Program Analysis
First-year earnings of $47,718 put Northcentral Technical College's Precision Metal Working program 29% above the national median of $36,869 — one of the higher-earning programs in this field.
With a 130.8x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.
The 3% spread between best and worst-case AI scenarios signals strong resilience. Most careers in Precision Metal Working involve physical, hands-on work that current AI cannot replicate.
With first-year pay of $47,718 far exceeding the $3,500 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.
Northcentral Technical College ranks #12 among 355 Precision Metal Working programs, placing it in the top 5% nationally by our financial outcomes measure.
The limited growth from $47,718 to $50,958 over five years suggests earnings in this trade plateau relatively early in one's career.
The 131 apprenticeship pathways connected to Precision Metal Working reflect strong industry infrastructure for this trade. Apprenticeships typically lead to journeyman-level wages.
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.