WhatGradsMake
Certificate (2-4 years)-14% vs national median119 grads tracked

Precision Metal Working at Jefferson College

Ranked 11th of 11 certificate (2-4 years) programs in Precision Metal Working by 5-year earnings.

Median · 1 year out
$36,281
middle 50%: $28,427 – $44,876
Median · 5 years out
$51,627
middle 50%: $37,935 – $70,870
Median · 10 years out
$58,150
middle 50%: $45,075 – $79,314

Salary trajectory

Median earnings vs the national median for Precision Metal Working (certificate (2-4 years)) graduates.

This program (median)National median, same major & degreeMiddle 50% of graduates

Graduates of Jefferson College's certificate (2-4 years) program in Precision Metal Working earn a median $36,281 one year after graduating, rising to $58,150 by year ten. Five years out, earnings run 14% below the national median of $60,159 for this field, ranking 11th of 11 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
8.3 yrs
≈ $9,632 total interest

Same major at other universities

Alexandria Technical and Community College
$64,452 · 5 yrs out
Mesabi Range College
$63,723 · 5 yrs out
Minnesota State College Southeast
$60,159 · 5 yrs out
Ridgewater College
$60,105 · 5 yrs out
South Central College
$59,222 · 5 yrs out
Lake Superior College
$56,473 · 5 yrs out

Other majors at Jefferson College

Fire Protection (Associate)
$72,896 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Associate)
$70,527 · 5 yrs out
Engineering, General (Associate)
$70,527 · 5 yrs out
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (Associate)
$65,986 · 5 yrs out
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Associate)
$65,815 · 5 yrs out
Electrical/Electronic Engineering Technologies/Technicians (Associate)
$65,194 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Associate)
$63,377 · 5 yrs out
Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective Services (Certificate)
$62,818 · 5 yrs out
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (Certificate)
$60,837 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Certificate)
$60,557 · 5 yrs out
Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants (Certificate)
$60,538 · 5 yrs out
Precision Production (Associate)
$58,019 · 5 yrs out

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