WhatGradsMake
Certificate (1-2 years)+25% vs national median40 grads tracked

Precision Metal Working at Northwest State Community College

Ranked 13th of 123 certificate (1-2 years) programs in Precision Metal Working by 5-year earnings.

Median · 1 year out
$57,619
middle 50%: $45,751 – $76,015
Median · 5 years out
$69,154
middle 50%: $41,964 – $75,634
Median · 10 years out
n/a
not enough graduates to report

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 Northwest State Community College's certificate (1-2 years) program in Precision Metal Working earn a median $57,619 one year after graduating, rising to $69,154 by year five. Five years out, earnings run 25% above the national median of $55,464 for this field, ranking 13th 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
5.7 yrs
≈ $6,156 total interest

Same major at other universities

Mt. Hood Community College
$72,585 · 5 yrs out
Ivy Tech Community College of Indiana- Region 3
$71,212 · 5 yrs out
Montana State University - Northern
$70,012 · 5 yrs out
Ivy Tech Community College of Indiana
$70,012 · 5 yrs out
West Virginia University - Parkersburg
$69,384 · 5 yrs out
Ogden-Weber Technical College
$69,286 · 5 yrs out
Saint Paul College - A Community & Technical College
$68,534 · 5 yrs out
Anoka Technical College
$68,363 · 5 yrs out
Kankakee Community College
$66,619 · 5 yrs out
Northern Wyoming Community College District
$66,474 · 5 yrs out
Cuyahoga Community College
$66,438 · 5 yrs out
College of Lake County
$65,986 · 5 yrs out

Other majors at Northwest State Community College

Electrical/Electronic Engineering Technologies/Technicians (Associate)
$75,444 · 5 yrs out
Construction Trades (Associate)
$74,301 · 5 yrs out
Electrical and Power Transmission Installers (Associate)
$74,301 · 5 yrs out
Electrical/Electronics Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians (Associate)
$69,154 · 5 yrs out
Computer Engineering (Associate)
$68,838 · 5 yrs out
Mechanic and Repair Technologies/Technicians (Associate)
$68,450 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Associate)
$66,273 · 5 yrs out
Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians (Associate)
$65,986 · 5 yrs out
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Associate)
$63,851 · 5 yrs out
Engineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians (Associate)
$63,742 · 5 yrs out
Precision Production (Associate)
$60,837 · 5 yrs out
Precision Metal Working (Associate)
$60,837 · 5 yrs out

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