Precision Metalworking at Gateway Community and Technical College

Florence, KY · Public · Certificate · Precision Metal Working

with a smaller student body of 2,824 in Florence, KY.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $42,233 at Gateway Community and Technical College come in 15% above the national median of $36,869 for Precision Metalworking programs.

With a 100.6x 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 Metalworking involve physical, hands-on work that current AI cannot replicate.

With first-year pay of $42,233 far exceeding the $8,500 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

Gateway Community and Technical College ranks #43 among 355 Precision Metalworking programs, placing it in the top 5% nationally by our financial outcomes measure.

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

68 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
67
Low End
68
Score
68
High End
Earnings $42,233/yr (15% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (87% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (164,200 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$484K
3.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
104.0x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
22 of 24
Occupations with strong AI resilience

Projected 10-Year Earnings

Based on actual graduate salary data and Bureau of Labor Statistics growth projections.

Program Tuition (In-State)
$4,656
Out-of-state: $6,192
Median Debt at Graduation
$8,500
2.4 months of Year 1 earnings

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Precision Metalworking 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 →

Precision Metalworking Career Guide

From day-one roles to senior positions, Precision Metalworking careers span a range of specializations. Read the complete outlook for graduates entering skilled trades.

Read the full Precision Metalworking career guide →

Compare & Explore

Precision Metalworking Overview

Precision Metalworking at Other Schools

Other Majors at Gateway Community and Technical College

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Gateway Community and Technical College's Precision Metalworking program score?
This program scores 68/100, reflecting respectable but not exceptional financial outcomes for Precision Metalworking graduates.
Is Precision Metalworking from Gateway Community and Technical College a future-proof career choice?
Precision Metalworking 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 Metalworking graduates from Gateway Community and Technical College?
Median debt of just $8,500 against $42,233/yr in starting salary means graduates can clear their loans in under 2 months. This is one of the more affordable paths in our dataset.
Why does Gateway Community and Technical College rank so high for Precision Metalworking?
The #43 ranking out of 355 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable, and the job market supports this trade.
Can I learn Precision Metalworking through an apprenticeship instead of Gateway Community and Technical College?
If Gateway Community and Technical College's tuition gives you pause, consider that 131 DOL-registered apprenticeship pathways exist for Precision Metalworking. You'd earn while training, avoiding student debt entirely — though completion takes longer than a certificate program.
Will Precision Metalworking graduates from Gateway Community and Technical College find jobs?
At 164,200 annual openings, Precision Metalworking has a very large employment base. Gateway Community and Technical College graduates benefit from broad demand, particularly given infrastructure investment and steady replacement demand as workers retire.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →