WhatGradsMake
Certificate (under 1 year)+10% vs national median737 grads tracked

Precision Metal Working at Lone Star College System

Ranked 32nd of 150 certificate (under 1 year) programs in Precision Metal Working by 5-year earnings.

Median · 1 year out
$40,906
middle 50%: $28,238 – $60,095
Median · 5 years out
$58,858
middle 50%: $37,967 – $79,651
Median · 10 years out
$71,441
middle 50%: $46,777 – $102,715

Salary trajectory

Median earnings vs the national median for Precision Metal Working (certificate (under 1 year)) graduates.

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

Graduates of Lone Star College System's certificate (under 1 year) program in Precision Metal Working earn a median $40,906 one year after graduating, rising to $71,441 by year ten. Five years out, earnings run 10% above the national median of $53,655 for this field, ranking 32nd of 150 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
7.2 yrs
≈ $8,278 total interest

Same major at other universities

College of the Mainland
$61,121 · 5 yrs out
Quinebaug Valley Community College
$60,837 · 5 yrs out
Lamar Institute of Technology
$60,590 · 5 yrs out
Victoria College
$60,508 · 5 yrs out
Midlands Technical College
$59,848 · 5 yrs out
South Central College
$59,848 · 5 yrs out
Naugatuck Valley Community College
$58,363 · 5 yrs out
Ivy Tech Community College of Indiana- Region 3
$58,363 · 5 yrs out
Tyler Junior College
$58,227 · 5 yrs out
Columbus State Community College
$57,991 · 5 yrs out
South Plains College
$57,917 · 5 yrs out
Hennepin Technical College
$57,917 · 5 yrs out

Other majors at Lone Star College System

Fire Protection (Associate)
$108,135 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Certificate)
$90,782 · 5 yrs out
Accounting and Related Services (Certificate)
$90,782 · 5 yrs out
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Associate)
$88,842 · 5 yrs out
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Certificate)
$87,304 · 5 yrs out
Precision Production (Associate)
$83,557 · 5 yrs out
Precision Metal Working (Associate)
$83,557 · 5 yrs out
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Certificate)
$82,784 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Associate)
$81,191 · 5 yrs out
Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians (Certificate)
$79,787 · 5 yrs out
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (Certificate)
$77,306 · 5 yrs out
Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians (Associate)
$76,015 · 5 yrs out

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