Precision Metalworking at Southern Careers Institute-San Antonio

San Antonio, TX · Private for-profit · Certificate · Precision Metal Working

a compact campus enrolling 939 students in San Antonio, TX.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $25,077 place Southern Careers Institute-San Antonio below the $36,869 national median for Precision Metalworking — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.

The 24% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Precision Metalworking career paths face changes, but the trade's physical demands provide a buffer.

With first-year pay of $25,077 far exceeding the $7,125 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

A #343 ranking among 355 Precision Metalworking programs places Southern Careers Institute-San Antonio in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

A 30% earnings increase from $25,077 to $32,672 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

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

44 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
42
Low End
44
Score
44
High End
Earnings $25,077/yr (-32% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (87% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (164,200 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$344K
6.8% 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
$7,125
3.4 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$32,672
30% growth from Year 1

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

What can you do with a Precision Metalworking credential from Southern Careers Institute-San Antonio? Our career guide maps every occupation path with earnings and growth data.

Read the full Precision Metalworking career guide →

Compare & Explore

Precision Metalworking Overview

Precision Metalworking at Other Schools

Other Majors at Southern Careers Institute-San Antonio

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 44/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Precision Metalworking at Southern Careers Institute-San Antonio?
A score of 44/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Precision Metalworking. Earnings, ROI, or job market factors are pulling the score down.
How AI-proof is a career in Precision Metalworking?
AI resilience is a strength here. Only 13% of Precision Metalworking tasks overlap with AI capabilities, and 22 of 24 career paths remain viable even in our most conservative scenario.
How affordable is Precision Metalworking at Southern Careers Institute-San Antonio?
At $7,125 in median debt, Precision Metalworking graduates from Southern Careers Institute-San Antonio carry minimal financial burden. The debt-to-income ratio of 0.3x is well below the trade program average.
Can you still earn well with Precision Metalworking from Southern Careers Institute-San Antonio?
Starting salary is one data point. If Southern Careers Institute-San Antonio's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.
Should I consider an apprenticeship over a Precision Metalworking program at Southern Careers Institute-San Antonio?
The DOL recognizes 131 apprenticeship pathways related to Precision Metalworking. For students weighing Southern Careers Institute-San Antonio's program cost against alternatives, apprenticeships offer zero-tuition entry with paid employment from day one.
What's the job market like for Precision Metalworking from Southern Careers Institute-San Antonio?
With approximately 164,200 annual openings across mapped careers, Precision Metalworking offers a very large employment pool. Southern Careers Institute-San Antonio graduates enter a market shaped by infrastructure investment and steady replacement demand as workers retire.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →