WhatGradsMake
Certificate (1-2 years)+5% vs national median430 grads tracked

Precision Metal Working at Dakota County Technical College

Ranked 44th of 123 certificate (1-2 years) programs in Precision Metal Working by 5-year earnings.

Median · 1 year out
$47,409
middle 50%: $36,857 – $58,114
Median · 5 years out
$58,363
middle 50%: $45,451 – $72,585
Median · 10 years out
$70,298
middle 50%: $50,539 – $110,004

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 Dakota County Technical College's certificate (1-2 years) program in Precision Metal Working earn a median $47,409 one year after graduating, rising to $70,298 by year ten. Five years out, earnings run 5% above the national median of $55,464 for this field, ranking 44th 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
6.8 yrs
≈ $7,636 total interest

Same major at other universities

Elgin Community College
$60,219 · 5 yrs out
Central Carolina Technical College
$59,848 · 5 yrs out
Linn-Benton Community College
$59,422 · 5 yrs out
Tri-County Technical College
$59,105 · 5 yrs out
Vincennes University
$59,037 · 5 yrs out
Portland Community College
$58,858 · 5 yrs out
Bridgerland Technical College
$58,363 · 5 yrs out
Ridgewater College
$57,957 · 5 yrs out
Des Moines Area Community College
$57,838 · 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

Other majors at Dakota County Technical College

Heavy/Industrial Equipment Maintenance Technologies/Technicians (Associate)
$86,929 · 5 yrs out
Electrical and Power Transmission Installers (Certificate)
$86,648 · 5 yrs out
Construction Trades (Associate)
$86,150 · 5 yrs out
Electrical and Power Transmission Installers (Associate)
$85,313 · 5 yrs out
Construction Trades (Certificate)
$79,314 · 5 yrs out
Civil Engineering Technologies/Technicians (Associate)
$77,273 · 5 yrs out
Electromechanical Technologies/Technicians (Associate)
$76,582 · 5 yrs out
Engineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians (Associate)
$70,801 · 5 yrs out
Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management (Associate)
$66,486 · 5 yrs out
Mechanic and Repair Technologies/Technicians (Associate)
$66,266 · 5 yrs out
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Certificate)
$65,986 · 5 yrs out
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Associate)
$64,645 · 5 yrs out

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