Precision Metal Working at Grand Rapids Community College
enrolling 10,530 students in Grand Rapids, MI.
Program Analysis
Graduates earn $34,042/yr, roughly in line with the $36,869 national median for Precision Metal Working. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.
With a 98.5x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.
The 15% 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.
With first-year pay of $34,042 far exceeding the $4,240 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.
A #98 ranking among 355 Precision Metal Working programs places Grand Rapids Community College in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.
The limited growth from $34,042 to $40,830 over five years suggests earnings in this trade plateau relatively early in one's career.
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.