WhatGradsMake
Certificate (1-2 years)+2% vs national median190 grads tracked

Precision Metal Working at Western Dakota Technical College

Ranked 55th of 123 certificate (1-2 years) programs in Precision Metal Working by 5-year earnings.

Median · 1 year out
$37,736
middle 50%: $25,760 – $49,927
Median · 5 years out
$56,363
middle 50%: $36,674 – $77,524
Median · 10 years out
$65,194
middle 50%: $46,093 – $86,717

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 Western Dakota Technical College's certificate (1-2 years) program in Precision Metal Working earn a median $37,736 one year after graduating, rising to $65,194 by year ten. Five years out, earnings run 2% above the national median of $55,464 for this field, ranking 55th 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
7.6 yrs
≈ $8,887 total interest

Same major at other universities

Alexandria Technical and Community College
$57,311 · 5 yrs out
Hawkeye Community College
$57,301 · 5 yrs out
Central Lakes College
$57,185 · 5 yrs out
Illinois Eastern Community Colleges - Wabash Valley College
$56,877 · 5 yrs out
Coastal Bend College
$56,877 · 5 yrs out
Spartanburg Community College
$56,595 · 5 yrs out
Montana State University - Billings
$55,935 · 5 yrs out
Northland Community and Technical College
$55,665 · 5 yrs out
Mesabi Range College
$55,464 · 5 yrs out
Mountain Gateway Community College
$55,464 · 5 yrs out
L. E. Fletcher Technical Community College
$55,355 · 5 yrs out
Colorado Mesa University
$55,287 · 5 yrs out

Other majors at Western Dakota Technical College

Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Associate)
$54,051 · 5 yrs out
Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Technicians (Associate)
$53,202 · 5 yrs out
Precision Production (Certificate)
$53,040 · 5 yrs out
Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications (Associate)
$52,989 · 5 yrs out
Precision Production (Associate)
$52,793 · 5 yrs out
Precision Metal Working (Associate)
$52,793 · 5 yrs out
Engineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians (Associate)
$51,947 · 5 yrs out
Fire Protection (Associate)
$51,223 · 5 yrs out
Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective Services (Associate)
$50,940 · 5 yrs out
Criminal Justice and Corrections (Associate)
$50,791 · 5 yrs out
Mechanic and Repair Technologies/Technicians (Certificate)
$50,197 · 5 yrs out
Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants (Associate)
$49,855 · 5 yrs out

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