Precision Metal Working at Lincoln Technical Institute-South Plainfield

South Plainfield, NJ · Private for-profit · Certificate

a compact campus enrolling 324 students in South Plainfield, NJ.

Program Analysis

Lincoln Technical Institute-South Plainfield's Precision Metal Working program produces graduates earning $37,249/yr — within striking distance of the $36,869 national average for this trade.

AI risk is moderate — 13% task exposure — and the 23% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook for Precision Metal Working graduates.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $8,866 in median debt clears fast against $37,249 in annual earnings.

At #237 out of 355 programs, Lincoln Technical Institute-South Plainfield's financial outcomes for Precision Metal Working trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $37,249 to $48,015 shows 29% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

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

52 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
51
Low End
52
Score
53
High End
Earnings $37,249/yr (1% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (87% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (164,200 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$504K
6.6% 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
$8,866
2.9 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$48,015
29% 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 Lincoln Technical Institute-South Plainfield

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Lincoln Technical Institute-South Plainfield's Precision Metal Working program score?
This program scores 52/100 — a respectable number in isolation, but it ranks in the bottom half of Precision Metal Working programs nationally. The field is competitive, and stronger options exist.
How AI-proof is a career in Precision Metal Working?
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.
What's the typical debt for Precision Metal Working graduates from Lincoln Technical Institute-South Plainfield?
At $8,866 in median debt, Precision Metal Working graduates from Lincoln Technical Institute-South Plainfield carry minimal financial burden. The debt-to-income ratio of 0.2x is well below the trade program average.
What apprenticeship pathways exist for Precision Metal Working graduates?
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.
How many job openings are there for Precision Metal Working graduates?
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 →