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Precision Metal Working

Types of Degrees Precision Metal Working Majors Are Earning

Students pursuing Precision Metal Working have the option of earning degrees at several award levels.

Award Level	Graduates
Certificate	22,134
Associate’s Degree	5,195
Bachelor’s Degree	4
Master’s Degree	33,777

What Precision Metal Working Majors Need to Know

Studies in Precision Metal Working build a specific mix of knowledge, skills, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in occupations that Precision Metal Working graduates commonly enter.

Knowledge Areas

This major prepares you for careers needing Precision Metal Working emphasizes the following knowledge areas:

• Production and Processing — Importance 3.6 / 5; level 3.6 / 7.
• Mechanical — Importance 3.4 / 5; level 3.9 / 7.
• Mathematics — Importance 3.4 / 5; level 3.4 / 7.
• English Language — Importance 3.1 / 5; level 2.8 / 7.
• Design — Importance 2.9 / 5; level 3.0 / 7.

^{Importance is rated 1–5; level is 1–7. Source: ONET Online — weighted across related occupations.*}

Skills

The skill set built by a Precision Metal Working program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:

• Operations Monitoring — Importance 3.4 / 5; level 3.3 / 7.
• Operation and Control — Importance 3.2 / 5; level 3.1 / 7.
• Monitoring — Importance 3.1 / 5; level 3.0 / 7.
• Critical Thinking — Importance 3.0 / 5; level 2.9 / 7.
• Quality Control Analysis — Importance 3.0 / 5; level 3.1 / 7.

Abilities

The cognitive and physical abilities most relevant to Precision Metal Working careers — again drawn from O*NET surveys of related occupations:

• Near Vision — Importance 3.6 / 5; level 3.5 / 7.
• Arm-Hand Steadiness — Importance 3.5 / 5; level 3.2 / 7.
• Control Precision — Importance 3.4 / 5; level 3.5 / 7.
• Manual Dexterity — Importance 3.4 / 5; level 3.1 / 7.
• Problem Sensitivity — Importance 3.3 / 5; level 3.1 / 7.

Common Job Activities

Day-to-day, Precision Metal Working graduates report doing:

Activity	Frequency / Importance
Controlling Machines and Processes	4.2 / 7
Getting Information	4.0 / 7
Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials	4.0 / 7
Handling and Moving Objects	3.9 / 7
Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events	3.8 / 7
Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings	3.8 / 7
Making Decisions and Solving Problems	3.8 / 7
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates	3.8 / 7
Performing General Physical Activities	3.5 / 7
Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards	3.5 / 7

Technology Skills Used on the Job

Most frequently-cited tools used by Precision Metal Working professionals:

Tool / Software	Category	In-Demand
Microsoft Excel	Spreadsheet software	✓
Microsoft Office software	Office suite software	✓
Microsoft Word	Word processing software	✓
Autodesk AutoCAD	Computer aided design CAD software	✓
Microsoft Outlook	Electronic mail software	—
SAP software	Enterprise resource planning ERP software	—
Microsoft PowerPoint	Presentation software	—
Mastercam computer-aided design and manufacturing software	Computer aided manufacturing CAM software	✓
G-code	Object or component oriented development software	✓
Computer aided design CAD software	Computer aided design CAD software	—
Dassault Systemes CATIA	Computer aided design CAD software	—
PTC Creo Parametric	Computer aided design CAD software	—

^{Source: ONET Online technology skills, weighted across related occupations.*}

Sample Job Titles

Real job postings for Precision Metal Working graduates include:

• Machine Operator
• Manufacturing Operator
• Fixture Maker
• Manufacturing Associate
• Machine Set Up Operator
• Tool Dresser
• CNC Machinist (Computer Numerical Control Machinist)
• Coiler Operator
• Seamless Tube Roller
• Roll Over Press Operator
• Reducing Machine Operator
• Job Setter
• Trimmer
• Hand Spring Former
• Golf Club Head Former

Education Typically Required

Across the occupations open to Precision Metal Working graduates, the typical level of education actually held by current workers is distributed as:

Education Level	Share of Workers
High school diploma or equivalent	57.1%
Postsecondary certificate	16.4%
Less than a high school diploma	12.0%
Some college courses	10.0%
Associate’s degree (or other 2-year)	2.5%
Bachelor’s degree	1.5%
First professional degree	0.5%

^{Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*}

Who Is Earning a Degree in Precision Metal Working?

Gender Distribution

This field skews predominantly male, with men earning 89.2% of Precision Metal Working degrees.

Gender	Graduates	Share
Women	7,249	10.8%
Men	59,814	89.2%

Racial-Ethnic Diversity

At the national level, the racial-ethnic distribution of Precision Metal Working graduates is as follows:

Race / Ethnicity	Graduates	Share
White	38,259	57.0%
Asian	788	1.2%
Hispanic or Latino	15,205	22.7%
Black or African American	6,452	9.6%
American Indian / Alaska Native	1,150	1.7%
Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander	143	0.2%
Two or More Races	2,365	3.5%
Race Unknown	2,459	3.7%
International Students	242	0.4%

^{See minority definition below.}

How Much Do Precision Metal Working Graduates Earn?

Federal data tracks median earnings of Precision Metal Working graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. These numbers tend to grow steadily as graduates gain experience and move into mid-career roles.

Years Out	Median Earnings
1 year	$33,800
4 years	$39,416
5 years	$44,203

By year 5 out, median earnings rise to $44,203 — roughly 31% above the 1-year mark.

^{Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.}

Online Precision Metal Working Programs

Online study is tracked by IPEDS for Precision Metal Working. The table below shows how many graduates earned at least some of their coursework online (Distance-Ed Available) versus completing the entire program online (Distance-Ed Only).

Award Level	Distance-Ed Available	Distance-Ed Only
Associate’s	2	21

^{Distance-Ed Only = degrees completed entirely online; Distance-Ed Available = degrees including at least some online coursework. Source: IPEDS Completions by Distance Education status.}

Is a Degree in Precision Metal Working Worth It?

Strictly by the federal earnings tracker, Precision Metal Working graduates earn a median of $39,416 four years after completion — roughly 4% above the national median for workers with only a high school diploma (~$38,000).

^{ROI estimate compares the program’s 4-yr median earnings against the 2023 BLS CPS median earnings for high-school-only workers. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard + BLS Current Population Survey.}

Related Programs

You may also be interested in these closely related fields of study:

Program	Annual Degrees Awarded
Production Product Development	67,885
Woodworking	659
Precision Production, Other	95
Leatherworking and Upholstery	26
Boilermaking/Boilermaker	25
PRECISION PRODUCTION	17

References

The racial-ethnic minorities count is calculated by taking the total number of students and subtracting white students and international students. This number is then divided by the total number of students to obtain the racial-ethnic minorities percentage.

• College Factual
• National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS)
• O*NET Online
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
• U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard

More about our data sources and methodologies.