Precision Metal Working at The Fab School

Rancho Cucamonga, CA · Private for-profit · Certificate

with a smaller student body of 164 in Rancho Cucamonga, CA.

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $39,592/yr, edging above the $36,869 national average for Precision Metal Working — a modest premium that suggests solid regional demand for this trade.

The 11% spread between best and worst-case AI scenarios signals strong resilience. Most careers in Precision Metal Working involve physical, hands-on work that current AI cannot replicate.

At $4,449 in median debt against $39,592 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance quickly — a hallmark of affordable trade programs.

A #196 ranking among 355 Precision Metal Working programs places The Fab School in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

The limited growth from $39,592 to $45,701 over five years suggests earnings in this trade plateau relatively early in one's career.

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

54 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
52
Low End
54
Score
54
High End
Earnings $39,592/yr (7% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (87% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (164,200 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$468K
3.6% 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
$4,449
1.3 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$45,701
15% 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 54/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Precision Metal Working at The Fab School?
A score of 54/100 reflects decent absolute metrics, but The Fab School trails the majority of Precision Metal Working programs on relative rankings. Context matters more than the raw number.
How AI-proof is a career in Precision Metal Working?
This is one of the more automation-resistant trades. Precision Metal Working work requires physical skill and on-site presence — qualities AI cannot provide. Our model rates it "AI-Proof" overall.
How affordable is Precision Metal Working at The Fab School?
Median debt of just $4,449 against $39,592/yr in starting salary means graduates can clear their loans in under 1 months. This is one of the more affordable paths in our dataset.
What apprenticeship pathways exist for Precision Metal Working graduates?
Yes — 131 registered apprenticeship programs are mapped to Precision Metal Working career paths, including Cnc Operator - Milling. Apprenticeships offer paid on-the-job training as an alternative or complement to certificate programs.
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 →