Precision Metal Working at Bishop State Community College

Mobile, AL · Public · Certificate

with a smaller student body of 2,100 in Mobile, AL.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $30,688 place Bishop State Community College below the $36,869 national median for Precision Metal Working — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.

With a 64.4x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 9% spread between best and worst-case AI scenarios signals strong resilience. Most careers in Precision Metal Working involve physical, hands-on work that current AI cannot replicate.

A #158 ranking among 355 Precision Metal Working programs places Bishop State Community College in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.

The 131 apprenticeship pathways connected to Precision Metal Working reflect strong industry infrastructure for this trade. Apprenticeships typically lead to journeyman-level wages.

56 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
55
Low End
56
Score
57
High End
Earnings $30,688/yr (-17% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (87% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (164,200 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Year 1 Earnings
$31K
Reported median after graduation
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
66.6x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
22 of 24
Occupations with strong AI resilience
Program Tuition (In-State)
$5,280
Out-of-state: $9,090
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$29,502
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 Bishop State Community College

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Bishop State Community College's Precision Metal Working program score?
At 56/100, Bishop State Community College's Precision Metal Working program delivers middling returns. School cost and personal fit become important decision factors.
How AI-proof is a career in Precision Metal Working?
This is one of the more automation-resistant trades. Precision Metal Working work requires physical skill and on-site presence — qualities AI cannot provide. Our model rates it "AI-Proof" overall.
Is Bishop State Community College a good choice for Precision Metal Working despite lower starting pay?
Lower starting pay at Bishop State Community College may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.
Are there apprenticeship options for Precision Metal Working?
Precision Metal Working connects to 131 apprenticeship pathways. These DOL-registered programs combine structured training with paid employment — a strong alternative for students who prefer hands-on learning over classroom instruction.
Is there demand for Precision Metal Working workers?
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 →