Certificate (under 1 year)-18% vs national median146 grads tracked
Precision Metal Working at Illinois Valley Community College
Ranked 128th of 150 certificate (under 1 year) programs in Precision Metal Working by 5-year earnings.
Median · 1 year out
$36,980
middle 50%: $26,824 – $53,022
Median · 5 years out
$44,206
middle 50%: $28,474 – $68,802
Median · 10 years out
$46,298
middle 50%: $29,704 – $72,156
Salary trajectory
Median earnings vs the national median for Precision Metal Working (certificate (under 1 year)) graduates.
This program (median)National median, same major & degreeMiddle 50% of graduates
Precision Metal Working graduates from Illinois Valley Community College earn a median of $37k in their first year. Salaries grow to $44k after five years and reach $46k by year ten.
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
9.6 yrs
≈ $10,787 total interest
Same major at other universities
Northland Community and Technical College
$45,505 · 5 yrs out
Northeast Iowa Community College
$45,480 · 5 yrs out
Trinity Valley Community College
$45,385 · 5 yrs out
Virginia Western Community College
$45,075 · 5 yrs out
Pikes Peak State College
$44,978 · 5 yrs out
Paris Junior College
$44,315 · 5 yrs out
Lewis and Clark Community College
$43,921 · 5 yrs out
John Wood Community College
$43,784 · 5 yrs out
Laredo College
$43,722 · 5 yrs out
Black Hawk College
$43,317 · 5 yrs out
Texarkana College
$43,047 · 5 yrs out
Southwest Virginia Community College
$42,776 · 5 yrs out
Other majors at Illinois Valley Community College
Heavy/Industrial Equipment Maintenance Technologies/Technicians (Certificate)
$76,015 · 5 yrs out
Electrical/Electronic Engineering Technologies/Technicians (Associate)
$75,035 · 5 yrs out
Construction Trades (Certificate)
$74,545 · 5 yrs out
Electrical and Power Transmission Installers (Certificate)
$74,545 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Associate)
$68,338 · 5 yrs out
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Associate)
$68,254 · 5 yrs out
Engineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians (Associate)
$66,438 · 5 yrs out
Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR) (Certificate)
$61,332 · 5 yrs out
Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants (Certificate)
$61,304 · 5 yrs out
Mechanic and Repair Technologies/Technicians (Certificate)
$60,961 · 5 yrs out
Transportation and Materials Moving (Certificate)
$60,613 · 5 yrs out
Ground Transportation (Certificate)
$60,613 · 5 yrs out