Precision Metalworking at Richmond Community College

Hamlet, NC · Public · Certificate · Precision Metal Working

a compact campus enrolling 1,279 students in Hamlet, NC.

Program Analysis

At $31,268 per year, Precision Metalworking graduates from Richmond Community College earn below the $36,869 national average. Lower costs or geographic factors may offset the earnings gap.

With a 135.9x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 9% spread between best and worst-case AI scenarios signals strong resilience. Most careers in Precision Metalworking involve physical, hands-on work that current AI cannot replicate.

A #101 ranking among 355 Precision Metalworking programs places Richmond Community College in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.

The 131 apprenticeship pathways connected to Precision Metalworking reflect strong industry infrastructure for this trade. Apprenticeships typically lead to journeyman-level wages.

63 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
62
Low End
63
Score
64
High End
Earnings $31,268/yr (-15% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (87% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (164,200 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$358K
3.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
140.5x
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)
$2,552
Out-of-state: $8,696

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Precision Metalworking 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 →

Precision Metalworking Career Guide

From day-one roles to senior positions, Precision Metalworking careers span a range of specializations. Read the complete outlook for graduates entering skilled trades.

Read the full Precision Metalworking career guide →

Compare & Explore

Precision Metalworking Overview

Precision Metalworking at Other Schools

Other Majors at Richmond Community College

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 63/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Precision Metalworking at Richmond Community College?
At 63/100, Richmond Community College's Precision Metalworking program delivers middling returns. School cost and personal fit become important decision factors.
Is Precision Metalworking from Richmond Community College a future-proof career choice?
Precision Metalworking 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.
Can you still earn well with Precision Metalworking from Richmond Community College?
Lower starting pay at Richmond Community College may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.
What apprenticeship pathways exist for Precision Metalworking graduates?
If Richmond Community College's tuition gives you pause, consider that 131 DOL-registered apprenticeship pathways exist for Precision Metalworking. You'd earn while training, avoiding student debt entirely — though completion takes longer than a certificate program.
What's the job market like for Precision Metalworking from Richmond Community College?
At 164,200 annual openings, Precision Metalworking has a very large employment base. Richmond Community College graduates benefit from broad demand, particularly given infrastructure investment and steady replacement demand as workers retire.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →