Associate-10% vs national median251 grads tracked
Precision Metal Working at Helena College University of Montana
Ranked 76th of 105 associate programs in Precision Metal Working by 5-year earnings.
Median · 1 year out
$43,631
middle 50%: $31,244 – $54,494
Median · 5 years out
$55,573
middle 50%: $42,631 – $77,430
Median · 10 years out
$77,430
middle 50%: $57,124 – $101,115
Salary trajectory
Median earnings vs the national median for Precision Metal Working (associate) graduates.
This program (median)National median, same major & degreeMiddle 50% of graduates
Precision Metal Working graduates from Helena College earn a $44k median salary in year one. Median pay reaches $56k after five years.
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
7.2 yrs
≈ $8,218 total interest
Same major at other universities
SUNY College of Technology at Alfred
$56,964 · 5 yrs out
Honolulu Community College
$56,877 · 5 yrs out
Linn-Benton Community College
$56,378 · 5 yrs out
Front Range Community College
$56,312 · 5 yrs out
North Iowa Area Community College
$56,134 · 5 yrs out
State Technical College of Missouri
$56,106 · 5 yrs out
Saint Philip's College
$56,069 · 5 yrs out
Snow College
$55,464 · 5 yrs out
Lake Area Technical College
$55,122 · 5 yrs out
Southeast Technical College
$54,703 · 5 yrs out
Orangeburg - Calhoun Technical College
$54,548 · 5 yrs out
Jefferson College
$54,522 · 5 yrs out
Other majors at Helena College University of Montana
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Associate)
$78,415 · 5 yrs out
Fire Protection (Associate)
$62,818 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Associate)
$62,393 · 5 yrs out
Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective Services (Associate)
$60,738 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Associate)
$59,048 · 5 yrs out
Computer Programming (Associate)
$59,048 · 5 yrs out
Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants (Associate)
$58,213 · 5 yrs out
Precision Production (Associate)
$55,573 · 5 yrs out
Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants (Certificate)
$53,873 · 5 yrs out
Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians (Associate)
$52,221 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Certificate)
$51,994 · 5 yrs out
Mechanic and Repair Technologies/Technicians (Associate)
$51,147 · 5 yrs out