WhatGradsMake
Associate-6% vs national median101 grads tracked

Precision Metal Working at Montana State University - Billings

Ranked 66th of 105 associate programs in Precision Metal Working by 5-year earnings.

Median · 1 year out
$46,183
middle 50%: $33,147 – $55,604
Median · 5 years out
$57,867
middle 50%: $46,728 – $90,933
Median · 10 years out
n/a
not enough graduates to report

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

Graduates of Montana State University - Billings's associate program in Precision Metal Working earn a median $46,183 one year after graduating, rising to $57,867 by year five. Five years out, earnings run 6% below the national median of $61,545 for this field, ranking 66th of 105 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
7.1 yrs
≈ $7,841 total interest

Same major at other universities

Piedmont Technical College
$59,222 · 5 yrs out
Terra State Community College
$58,858 · 5 yrs out
Monroe Community College
$58,445 · 5 yrs out
Northeastern Technical College
$58,197 · 5 yrs out
Indian Hills Community College
$58,114 · 5 yrs out
Southeastern Community College
$57,991 · 5 yrs out
Tri-County Technical College
$57,619 · 5 yrs out
Spartanburg Community College
$57,523 · 5 yrs out
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

Other majors at Montana State University - Billings

Electromechanical Technologies/Technicians (Associate)
$116,034 · 5 yrs out
Parks, Recreation, Leisure, Fitness, and Kinesiology (Master's)
$76,015 · 5 yrs out
Fire Protection (Associate)
$73,442 · 5 yrs out
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Associate)
$73,402 · 5 yrs out
Engineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians (Associate)
$72,436 · 5 yrs out
Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective Services (Associate)
$72,156 · 5 yrs out
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (Associate)
$70,722 · 5 yrs out
Health and Medical Administrative Services (Bachelor's)
$68,626 · 5 yrs out
Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs (Master's)
$66,251 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Master's)
$65,854 · 5 yrs out
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies (Bachelor's)
$65,307 · 5 yrs out
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other (Bachelor's)
$64,930 · 5 yrs out

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