Precision Metal Working at Piedmont Technical College

Greenwood, SC · Public · Certificate

a compact campus enrolling 3,988 students in Greenwood, SC.

Program Analysis

At $34,928/yr, Precision Metal Working graduates from Piedmont Technical College land near the $36,869 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.

The 92.9x 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 24% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook for Precision Metal Working graduates.

Ranked #103 out of 355 programs, Piedmont 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 $34,928 to $45,568 shows 30% 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.

63 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
60
Low End
63
Score
64
High End
Earnings $34,928/yr (-5% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (87% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (164,200 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$480K
6.9% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
100.5x
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)
$4,775
Out-of-state: $6,923
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$45,568
30% 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

Other Majors at Piedmont Technical College

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Precision Metal Working at Piedmont Technical College?
A score of 63/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the Precision Metal Working field.
Will AI replace Precision Metal Working jobs?
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.
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.
Is there demand for Precision Metal Working workers?
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 →