Precision Metal Working at Pinellas Technical College-St. Petersburg

Saint Petersburg, FL · Public · Certificate

a smaller institution with 1,421 students in Saint Petersburg, FL.

Program Analysis

Starting salaries of $21,958/yr fall 40% below the $36,869 national median for Precision Metal Working. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.

AI disruption models show minimal impact on this program's career paths. The gap between optimistic and pessimistic scenarios is just 9% — this trade's hands-on core resists automation.

Ranked #351 of 355 Precision Metal Working programs, Pinellas Technical College-St. Petersburg falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Precision Metal Working offers 131 registered apprenticeship pathways — an unusually broad set of earn-while-you-learn alternatives to the classroom track.

41 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
40
Low End
41
Score
42
High End
Earnings $21,958/yr (-40% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (87% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (164,200 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$252K
3.0% 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.

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

How does Pinellas Technical College-St. Petersburg's Precision Metal Working program score?
This program scores 41/100 — on the lower end for Precision Metal Working. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
How AI-proof is a career in Precision Metal Working?
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.
Is Pinellas Technical College-St. Petersburg a good choice for Precision Metal Working despite lower starting pay?
Starting salary is one data point. If Pinellas Technical College-St. Petersburg's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.
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 →