WhatGradsMake
Certificate (1-2 years)+37% vs national median186 grads tracked

Precision Metal Working at Rock Valley College

Ranked 5th of 123 certificate (1-2 years) programs in Precision Metal Working by 5-year earnings.

Median · 1 year out
$65,986
middle 50%: $51,865 – $91,014
Median · 5 years out
$76,015
middle 50%: $58,114 – $99,793
Median · 10 years out
$73,271
middle 50%: $55,464 – $98,392

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

Graduates of Rock Valley College's certificate (1-2 years) program in Precision Metal Working earn a median $65,986 one year after graduating, rising to $73,271 by year ten. Five years out, earnings run 37% above the national median of $55,464 for this field, ranking 5th of 123 reporting programs.

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
5 yrs
≈ $5,350 total interest

Same major at other universities

Other majors at Rock Valley College

Related fields of study