Precision Metal Working at Hobart Institute of Welding Technology

Troy, OH · Private nonprofit · Certificate

a compact campus enrolling 327 students in Troy, OH.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $45,370 at Hobart Institute of Welding Technology come in 23% above the national median of $36,869 for Precision Metal Working programs.

With only 13% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, the scenario spread is tight at 14%. Career paths for Precision Metal Working are among the more automation-resistant trades we analyze.

With first-year pay of $45,370 far exceeding the $5,500 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

Ranked #166 out of 355 programs, Hobart Institute of Welding Technology's Precision Metal Working offering sits in the upper half but doesn't break into the top tier.

Earnings growth is modest: $45,370 to $53,731 over five years (18% gain). This trade may have a lower salary ceiling than high-growth professions.

With 131 registered apprenticeships mapped to Precision Metal Working, graduates have substantial options for hands-on training paths that pay from day one.

56 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
55
Low End
56
Score
57
High End
Earnings $45,370/yr (23% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (87% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (164,200 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$553K
4.3% annual growth
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.

Median Debt at Graduation
$5,500
1.5 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$53,731
18% growth from Year 1

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

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Hobart Institute of Welding Technology's Precision Metal Working program score?
At 56/100, Hobart Institute of Welding Technology's Precision Metal Working program delivers middling returns. School cost and personal fit become important decision factors.
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.
How affordable is Precision Metal Working at Hobart Institute of Welding Technology?
At $5,500 in median debt, Precision Metal Working graduates from Hobart Institute of Welding Technology carry minimal financial burden. The debt-to-income ratio of 0.1x is well below the trade program average.
Can I learn Precision Metal Working through an apprenticeship instead?
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?
The career paths mapped to Precision Metal Working have roughly 164,200 combined annual openings nationally, making this a very large job market. Trade careers in this field benefit from consistent replacement demand as workers retire.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →