Precision Metal Working at College of Western Idaho
enrolling 5,898 students in Nampa, ID.
Program Analysis
Graduates earn $39,310/yr, edging above the $36,869 national average for Precision Metal Working — a modest premium that suggests solid regional demand for this trade.
With a 138.9x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.
The 16% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Precision Metal Working career paths face changes, but the trade's physical demands provide a buffer.
At $7,000 in median debt against $39,310 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance quickly — a hallmark of affordable trade programs.
College of Western Idaho ranks #53 among 355 Precision Metal Working programs, placing it in the top 5% nationally by our financial outcomes measure.
A 20% earnings increase from $39,310 to $47,339 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.
The 131 apprenticeship pathways connected to Precision Metal Working reflect strong industry infrastructure for this trade. Apprenticeships typically lead to journeyman-level wages.
Earnings Overview
Projected 10-Year Earnings
Based on actual graduate salary data and Bureau of Labor Statistics growth projections.
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% |
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.