Precision Metal Working at Kansas City Kansas Community College

Kansas City, KS · Public · Certificate

with a smaller student body of 3,071 in Kansas City, KS.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $36,248 track close to the $36,869 national median for Precision Metal Working programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 149.7x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Precision Metal Working programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Precision Metal Working's career paths, with 13% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 26% gap from the optimistic case.

At #59 of 355 nationally, this is a top-5% Precision Metal Working program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

Earnings grow from $36,248 to $48,483 over five years — a 34% increase that's moderate and in line with typical trade career progression.

Precision Metal Working offers 131 registered apprenticeship pathways — an unusually broad set of earn-while-you-learn alternatives to the classroom track.

67 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
65
Low End
67
Score
68
High End
Earnings $36,248/yr (-2% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (87% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (164,200 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$514K
7.5% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
163.1x
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)
$3,150
Out-of-state: $6,720
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$48,483
34% 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

Other Majors at Kansas City Kansas Community College

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Precision Metal Working at Kansas City Kansas Community College?
A score of 67/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the Precision Metal Working field.
Will AI replace Precision Metal Working jobs?
Highly resilient. Precision Metal Working careers are fundamentally hands-on — they require physical presence and manual skill that AI cannot replicate. Graduates retain 22 of 24 viable career paths even under conservative assumptions.
Why does Kansas City Kansas Community College rank so high for Precision Metal Working?
Among 355 Precision Metal Working programs, Kansas City Kansas Community College's #59 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.
Can I learn Precision Metal Working through an apprenticeship instead?
There are 131 registered apprenticeships connected to Precision Metal Working occupations. The earn-while-you-learn model means no tuition debt and immediate income, though the training period is typically longer.
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 →