by our College Data Analytics TeamAn individual who studies Precision Metal Working will gain the technical knowledge and skill to create products and structures using metals. There are many different concentrations within this major; some of them are Machine Tool Technology, Machine Shop Technology, Sheet Metal Technology, Welding Technology, Tool and Die Technology, Ironworking, Computer Numerically Controlled Machinist Technology, and Metal Fabricator.
While focusing on these concentrations you will be taking courses in welding, metalworking, shop mathematics, mechanical drawing, physics, and chemistry. This major is commonly offered as a certification or Associate's degree.
Studying Precision Metal Working involves the study of Precision Metal Working. Read on to learn the important information every precision metal working student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering precision metal working programs.
In the U.S., precision metal working is a popular field of study, with 67,063 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Precision Metal Working Schools ranking analyzes these 972 schools to determine the best overall colleges for precision metal working students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of precision metal working programs later in this article.
Studies in Precision Metal Working develop a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations precision metal working graduates commonly enter.
This program requires a lot of hands-on work and attention to detail. Students should possess physical stamina and strength in order to guide and load heavy materials and parts. Computer skills are needed for many aspects of the job, as well as the ability to read blueprints.
Most programs include a work apprenticeship in order for students to gain essential work experience. You will work alongside professionals in the field, as well as spend time studying and in the classroom.
The skill set built by a precision metal working program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Per O*NET surveys, a precision metal working major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several precision metal working degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 22,134 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 5,195 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 4 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 33,777 |
People currently working in careers related to precision metal working tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| High school diploma or equivalent | 57.1% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 16.4% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 12.0% |
| Some college courses | 10.0% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 2.5% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 1.5% |
| First professional degree | 0.5% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in precision metal working careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Individuals who have completed a program in Precision Metal Working have a few different career options available to them. Structural iron and steel workers install girders, steel beams, and columns to form bridges, buildings and other structures. Another job highly in demand is sheet metal workers. These professionals install and develop products that are made from thin sheets of metal. Other jobs graduates go into are welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers, machinists, and tool and die makers.
Majoring in precision metal working opens doors to a variety of career paths. These are some of the most common occupations related to precision metal working.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to precision metal working.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | 884,005 | 6.6% |
| Machinists | 826,859 | 1.7% |
| Foundry Mold and Coremakers | 783,409 | 4.6% |
| Patternmakers, Metal and Plastic | 769,616 | 4.3% |
| Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | 762,661 | 7.6% |
| Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters | 700,944 | 4.1% |
| Metal Workers and Plastic Workers, All Other | 690,098 | -1.2% |
| Layout Workers, Metal and Plastic | 577,031 | 3.0% |
College Scorecard reports median earnings of precision metal working graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. These numbers tend to grow as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $33,800 |
| 4 years | $39,416 |
| 5 years | $44,203 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for precision metal working graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers precision metal working grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Foundry Mold and Coremakers | $69,095 |
| Metal Workers and Plastic Workers, All Other | $67,669 |
| Extruding and Drawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $67,252 |
| Sheet Metal Workers | $62,339 |
| Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers | $60,584 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $60,230 |
| Machinists | $58,269 |
| Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $55,961 |
With 972 different precision metal working programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased precision metal working school rankings to help you.
If you are interested in precision metal working, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Welding Technology/Welder | 57,768 |
| Machine Tool Technology/Machinist | 3,539 |
| Computer Numerically Controlled (CNC) Machinist Technology/CNC Machinist | 2,174 |
| Machine Shop Technology/Assistant | 1,634 |
| Metal Fabricator | 552 |
| Tool and Die Technology/Technician | 509 |
| Sheet Metal Technology/Sheetworking | 386 |
| Precision Metal Working, Other | 340 |
| Ironworking/Ironworker | 161 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Woodworking | 659 |
| Precision Production, Other | 95 |
| Leatherworking and Upholstery | 26 |
| Boilermaking/Boilermaker | 25 |
| PRECISION PRODUCTION | 17 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
