Precision Metal Working at Tidewater Community College
enrolling 11,797 students in Norfolk, VA.
Program Analysis
Tidewater Community College's Precision Metal Working graduates start at $23,785/yr, trailing the $36,869 national average by 35%. The program's value hinges on affordability.
The 63.5x 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 exposure is significant at 13% of job tasks, producing a 40% spread between best and worst-case decade earnings. The field isn't immune to disruption.
Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $7,500 in median debt clears fast against $23,785 in annual earnings.
At #269 out of 355 programs, Tidewater Community College's financial outcomes for Precision Metal Working trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.
Earnings growth from $23,785 to $42,294 over five years (78% increase) indicates that graduates in this trade see meaningful 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.
Earnings Overview
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% |
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.