Certificate (under 1 year)+8% vs national median300 grads tracked
Precision Metal Working at Hennepin Technical College
Ranked 38th of 150 certificate (under 1 year) programs in Precision Metal Working by 5-year earnings.
Median · 1 year out
$46,342
middle 50%: $33,937 – $59,976
Median · 5 years out
$57,917
middle 50%: $44,939 – $71,693
Median · 10 years out
$60,738
middle 50%: $43,216 – $75,845
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
Hennepin Technical College graduates in Precision Metal Working earn a median $46k in year 1. Median earnings reach $61k by year 10.
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 yrs
≈ $7,810 total interest
Same major at other universities
Lone Star College System
$58,858 · 5 yrs out
Naugatuck Valley Community College
$58,363 · 5 yrs out
Ivy Tech Community College of Indiana- Region 3
$58,363 · 5 yrs out
Tyler Junior College
$58,227 · 5 yrs out
Columbus State Community College
$57,991 · 5 yrs out
South Plains College
$57,917 · 5 yrs out
Mt. Hood Community College
$57,910 · 5 yrs out
Community College of Denver
$57,791 · 5 yrs out
Houston Community College
$57,736 · 5 yrs out
Clarendon College
$57,619 · 5 yrs out
Salt Lake Community College
$57,301 · 5 yrs out
Rock Valley College
$57,282 · 5 yrs out
Other majors at Hennepin Technical College
Computer Software and Media Applications (Certificate)
$89,177 · 5 yrs out
Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions (Certificate)
$88,109 · 5 yrs out
Fire Protection (Associate)
$87,772 · 5 yrs out
Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective Services (Associate)
$85,997 · 5 yrs out
Fire Protection (Certificate)
$84,761 · 5 yrs out
Computer Programming (Associate)
$83,557 · 5 yrs out
Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians (Certificate)
$81,671 · 5 yrs out
Electromechanical Technologies/Technicians (Associate)
$80,540 · 5 yrs out
Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians (Associate)
$77,819 · 5 yrs out
Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective Services (Certificate)
$77,603 · 5 yrs out
Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR) (Associate)
$77,316 · 5 yrs out
Criminal Justice and Corrections (Certificate)
$76,944 · 5 yrs out