Certificate (1-2 years)+4% vs national median542 grads tracked
Precision Metal Working at Des Moines Area Community College
Ranked 47th of 123 certificate (1-2 years) programs in Precision Metal Working by 5-year earnings.
Median · 1 year out
$42,672
middle 50%: $31,706 – $54,690
Median · 5 years out
$57,838
middle 50%: $44,952 – $68,776
Median · 10 years out
$70,298
middle 50%: $60,118 – $88,516
Salary trajectory
Median earnings vs the national median for Precision Metal Working (certificate (1-2 years)) graduates.
This program (median)National median, same major & degreeMiddle 50% of graduates
Des Moines Area Community College graduates in Precision Metal Working earn a median of $43k in their first year. Median earnings reach $70k after ten years.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau PSEO, release V4.13.0 2025Q4. Earnings are for graduates working in covered states; figures are medians in nominal dollars.
Will the degree pay for itself?
Drag the sliders — payback uses this program's actual salary curve.
Assumes a 6.5% APR loan and this program's median salary trajectory (interpolated between years 1, 5 and 10).
Paid off in
7.2 yrs
≈ $8,172 total interest
Same major at other universities
Tri-County Technical College
$59,105 · 5 yrs out
Vincennes University
$59,037 · 5 yrs out
Portland Community College
$58,858 · 5 yrs out
Dakota County Technical College
$58,363 · 5 yrs out
Bridgerland Technical College
$58,363 · 5 yrs out
Ridgewater College
$57,957 · 5 yrs out
Brightpoint Community College
$57,619 · 5 yrs out
Alexandria Technical and Community College
$57,311 · 5 yrs out
Hawkeye Community College
$57,301 · 5 yrs out
Central Lakes College
$57,185 · 5 yrs out
Illinois Eastern Community Colleges - Wabash Valley College
$56,877 · 5 yrs out
Coastal Bend College
$56,877 · 5 yrs out
Other majors at Des Moines Area Community College
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$85,523 · 5 yrs out
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$81,357 · 5 yrs out
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$78,843 · 5 yrs out
Computer Programming (Associate)
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Computer Programming (Certificate)
$72,928 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Certificate)
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Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (Certificate)
$71,212 · 5 yrs out
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (Certificate)
$71,212 · 5 yrs out
Dental Support Services and Allied Professions (Associate)
$68,222 · 5 yrs out
Heavy/Industrial Equipment Maintenance Technologies/Technicians (Associate)
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