Precision Metal Working at Advanced Technology Institute

Virginia Beach, VA · Private for-profit · Certificate

A 61% admission rate makes Advanced Technology Institute accessible to a wide range of qualified students, with a smaller student body of 377 in Virginia Beach, VA.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $43,656 at Advanced Technology Institute come in 18% above the national median of $36,869 for Precision Metal Working programs.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 33.2x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Precision Metal Working programs nationally.

AI disruption models show minimal impact on this program's career paths. The gap between optimistic and pessimistic scenarios is just 9% — this trade's hands-on core resists automation.

With first-year pay of $43,656 far exceeding the $12,000 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

At #169 of 355 Precision Metal Working programs, Advanced Technology Institute scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Precision Metal Working offers 131 registered apprenticeship pathways — an unusually broad set of earn-while-you-learn alternatives to the classroom track.

56 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
56
Low End
56
Score
56
High End
Earnings $43,656/yr (18% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (87% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (164,200 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Year 1 Earnings
$44K
Reported median after graduation
Earnings Multiple
34.4x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
22 of 24
Occupations with strong AI resilience
Program Tuition
$14,568
Median Debt at Graduation
$12,000
3.3 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$38,446
Small cohort — data may not reflect typical outcomes

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Precision Metal Working graduates by median salary.

Career Path Median Salary Growth AI-ProofAI
Computer numerically controlled tool programmers $65,670 +12.8% 20%
Tool and die makers $63,180 -10.8% 81%
Model makers, metal and plastic $62,700 -18.2% 84%
Computer numerically controlled tool programmers
$65,670
+12.8% growth 20% AI-proof
Tool and die makers
$63,180
-10.8% growth 81% AI-proof
Model makers, metal and plastic
$62,700
-18.2% growth 84% AI-proof

View all 24 career paths with full salary data →

About Precision Metal Working Careers

You’ll begin your career with your hands on the tools of the trade. As a welder, you could be fusing steel beams high on a construction site or meticulously joining pipes for critical infrastructure. As a machinist, you might work from complex blueprints, operating lathes and mills to craft high-tolerance parts for the aerospace or medical industries. Most paths start with an apprenticeship, learning directly from seasoned professionals on the job.

Read the full Precision Metal Working career guide →

Compare & Explore

Precision Metal Working Overview

Precision Metal Working at Other Schools

Other Majors at Advanced Technology Institute

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 56/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Precision Metal Working at Advanced Technology Institute?
A score of 56/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the Precision Metal Working field.
How safe is Precision Metal Working from automation?
Precision Metal Working rates as "AI-Proof" for AI resilience. With only 13% of tasks exposed to automation, the trade's physical demands provide a natural shield against AI displacement.
What's the typical debt for Precision Metal Working graduates from Advanced Technology Institute?
At $12,000 in median debt, Precision Metal Working graduates from Advanced Technology Institute carry minimal financial burden. The debt-to-income ratio of 0.3x is well below the trade program average.
Can I learn Precision Metal Working through an apprenticeship instead?
Yes — 131 registered apprenticeship programs are mapped to Precision Metal Working career paths, including Cnc Operator - Milling. Apprenticeships offer paid on-the-job training as an alternative or complement to certificate programs.
How many job openings are there for Precision Metal Working graduates?
With approximately 164,200 annual openings across mapped careers, Precision Metal Working offers a very large employment pool. Physical trades tend to have steady demand driven by infrastructure and construction cycles.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →