Associate-2% vs national median254 grads tracked
Precision Metal Working at Kirkwood Community College
Ranked 54th of 105 associate programs in Precision Metal Working by 5-year earnings.
Median · 1 year out
$46,387
middle 50%: $35,581 – $54,656
Median · 5 years out
$60,342
middle 50%: $48,860 – $74,015
Median · 10 years out
$68,821
middle 50%: $57,867 – $85,137
Salary trajectory
Median earnings vs the national median for Precision Metal Working (associate) graduates.
This program (median)National median, same major & degreeMiddle 50% of graduates
Precision Metal Working certificate holders earn $46,387 in their first year. Median earnings reach $68,821 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
6.8 yrs
≈ $7,606 total interest
Same major at other universities
Southwestern Illinois College
$61,545 · 5 yrs out
Fashion Institute of Technology
$61,085 · 5 yrs out
Elgin Community College
$61,036 · 5 yrs out
Chemeketa Community College
$60,908 · 5 yrs out
Corning Community College - SUNY Office of Community Colleges
$60,837 · 5 yrs out
Northwest State Community College
$60,837 · 5 yrs out
Northwest College
$60,272 · 5 yrs out
Portland Community College
$59,848 · 5 yrs out
Southern Maine Community College
$59,848 · 5 yrs out
East Central College
$59,848 · 5 yrs out
Montana Technological University
$59,422 · 5 yrs out
Piedmont Technical College
$59,222 · 5 yrs out
Other majors at Kirkwood Community College
Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective Services (Certificate)
$85,664 · 5 yrs out
Fire Protection (Certificate)
$83,557 · 5 yrs out
Energy Systems Technologies/Technicians (Associate)
$80,729 · 5 yrs out
Computer Programming (Certificate)
$76,958 · 5 yrs out
Electrical/Electronic Engineering Technologies/Technicians (Associate)
$67,675 · 5 yrs out
Electrical/Electronics Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians (Associate)
$67,570 · 5 yrs out
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Associate)
$67,528 · 5 yrs out
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Certificate)
$65,511 · 5 yrs out
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies (Associate)
$65,458 · 5 yrs out
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other (Associate)
$65,458 · 5 yrs out
Computer Programming (Associate)
$65,062 · 5 yrs out
Fire Protection (Associate)
$65,062 · 5 yrs out