Precision Metal Working

Types of Degrees Precision Metal Working Majors Are Getting

The following table lists how many precision metal working graduations there were in 2021-2022 for each degree level.

Education Level	Number of Grads
Basic Certificate	30,955
Undergraduate Certificate	18,897
Associate Degree	4,936
Bachelor’s Degree	2

What Precision Metal Working Majors Need to Know

People with careers related to precision metal working were asked what knowledge areas, skills, and abilities were important for their jobs. They weighted these areas on a scale of 1 to 5 with 5 being the highest.

Knowledge Areas for Precision Metal Working Majors

According to O*NET survey takers, a major in precision metal working should prepare you for careers in which you will need to be knowledgeable in the following areas:

• Mechanical - Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
• Mathematics - Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
• Production and Processing - Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
• English Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
• Design - Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.

Skills for Precision Metal Working Majors

precision metal working majors are found most commonly in careers in which the following skills are important:

• Operation Monitoring - Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
• Operation and Control - Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
• Monitoring - Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
• Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
• Quality Control Analysis - Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.

Abilities for Precision Metal Working Majors

A major in precision metal working will prepare for your careers in which the following abilities are important:

• Near Vision - The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
• Arm-Hand Steadiness - The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.
• Control Precision - The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.
• Manual Dexterity - The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
• Problem Sensitivity - The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.

What Can You Do With a Precision Metal Working Major?

People with a precision metal working degree often go into the following careers:

Job Title	Job Growth Rate	Median Salary
Computer Numerically Controlled Machine Tool Programmers, Metal and Plastic	16.3%	$53,190
Computer-Controlled Machine Tool Operators, Metal and Plastic	1.1%	$40,070
Machinists	2.0%	$43,630
Sheet Metal Workers	8.6%	$48,460
Solderers and Brazers	5.6%	$41,380
Welders, Cutters, and Welder Fitters	5.6%	$41,380

Who Is Getting an Associate’s Degree in Precision Metal Working?

This is one of the most frequently chosen trade school majors. It is the 8th most popular in the country with 4,724 students graduating with an associate’s in precision metal working in 2021. This major tends to be male dominated. About 90% of recent graduates are men.

Racial-Ethnic Diversity

At the countrywide level, the racial-ethnic distribution of precision metal working majors is as follows:

Race/Ethnicity	Number of Grads
Asian	99
Black or African American	203
Hispanic or Latino	831
White	3,384
International Students	17
Other Races/Ethnicities	402

Geographic Diversity

Students from other countries are interested in Precision Metal Working, too. About 0.3% of those with this major are international students. The most popular countries for students from outside the country are:

• Saudi Arabia
• Botswana
• Bermuda
• Italy

How Much Do Precision Metal Working Majors Make?

Salaries According to BLS

Precision Metal Working majors often go into careers where salaries can range from $38,140 to $45,250 (25th to 75th percentile). This range includes all degree levels, so the salary for a person with just a bachelor’s degree may be a little less and the one for a person with an advanced degree may be a little more.

To put that into context, according to BLS data from the first quarter of 2020, the typical high school graduate makes between $30,000 and $57,900 a year (25th through 75th percentile). The average person with a bachelor’s degree (any field) makes between $45,600 and $99,000. Advanced degree holders make the most with salaries between $55,600 and $125,400.

Amount of Education Required for Careers Related to Precision Metal Working

Some degrees associated with precision metal working may require an advanced degree, while others may not even require a bachelor’s in the field. In general, the more advanced your degree the more career options will open up to you. However, there is significant time and money that needs to be invested into your education so weigh the pros and cons.

Find out what the typical degree level is for precision metal working careers below.

Education Level	Percentage of Workers
Less than a High School Diploma	9.7%
High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)	51.6%
Post-Secondary Certificate - awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in agriculture or natural resources, computer services, personal or culinary services, engineering technologies, healthcare, construction trades, mechanic and repair technologies, or precision production)	24.6%
Some College Courses	7.8%
Associate’s Degree (or other 2-year degree)	4.7%
Bachelor’s Degree	1.3%
Post-Baccalaureate Certificate - awarded for completion of an organized program of study; designed for people who have completed a Baccalaureate degree but do not meet the requirements of academic degrees carrying the title of Master.	0.6%
Post-Master’s Certificate - awarded for completion of an organized program of study; designed for people who have completed a Master’s degree but do not meet the requirements of academic degrees at the doctoral level.	0.0%
First Professional Degree - awarded for completion of a program that: requires at least 2 years of college work before entrance into the program, includes a total of at least 6 academic years of work to complete, and provides all remaining academic requirements to begin practice in a profession.	0.2%
Doctoral Degree	0.1%

Online Precision Metal Working Programs

The following table lists the number of programs by degree level, along with how many schools offered online courses in the field.

Degree Level	Colleges Offering Programs	Colleges Offering Online Classes
Certificate (Less Than 1 Year)	0	0
Certificate (1-2 years)	1,206	6
Certificate (2-4 Years)	81	0
Associate’s Degree	700	1
Bachelor’s Degree	0	0
Post-Baccalaureate	0	0
Master’s Degree	0	0
Post-Master’s	0	0
Doctor’s Degree (Research)	0	0
Doctor’s Degree (Professional Practice)	0	0
Doctor’s Degree (Other)	0	0

Is a Degree in Precision Metal Working Worth It?

The median salary for a precision metal working grad is $41,090 per year. This is based on the weighted average of the most common careers associated with the major.

This is 3% more than the average salary for an individual holding a high school degree. This adds up to a gain of about $23,800 after 20 years!

Trades Related to Precision Metal Working

You may also be interested in one of the following majors related to precision metal working.

Major	Number of Grads
Woodworking	435
Other Precision Production	67
Leatherworking & Upholstery	46
Precision Production Trades	44
Boilermaking	29

References

*The racial-ethnic minorities count is calculated by taking the total number of students and subtracting white students, international students, and students whose race/ethnicity was unknown. This number is then divided by the total number of students at the school to obtain the racial-ethnic minorities percentage.

• College Factual
• College Scorecard
• National Center for Education Statistics
• O*NET Online
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
• Usual Weekly Earnings of Wage and Salary Workers First Quarter 2020

More about our data sources and methodologies.