Precision Metal Working at NTMA Training Centers of Southern California

Santa Fe Springs, CA · Private nonprofit · Certificate

a compact campus enrolling 64 students in Santa Fe Springs, CA.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $38,259 track close to the $36,869 national median for Precision Metal Working programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.

AI risk is moderate — 13% task exposure — and the 17% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook for Precision Metal Working graduates.

At $8,418 in median debt against $38,259 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance quickly — a hallmark of affordable trade programs.

At #224 out of 355 programs, NTMA Training Centers of Southern California'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 $38,259 to $46,609 shows 22% 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.

53 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
51
Low End
53
Score
53
High End
Earnings $38,259/yr (4% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (87% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (164,200 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$483K
5.1% 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
$8,418
2.6 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$46,609
22% 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

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 53/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Precision Metal Working at NTMA Training Centers of Southern California?
At 53/100, the score looks reasonable — but Precision Metal Working is a high-scoring trade overall. Compared to peers, this program's earnings and ROI fall below the median.
Will AI replace Precision Metal Working jobs?
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 NTMA Training Centers of Southern California?
Median debt of just $8,418 against $38,259/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?
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?
The career paths mapped to Precision Metal Working have roughly 164,200 combined annual openings nationally, making this a very large job market. Trade careers in this field benefit from consistent replacement demand as workers retire.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →