Precision Metal Working at Northshore Technical Community College
a compact campus enrolling 2,156 students in Lacombe, LA.
Program Analysis
First-year earnings of $25,818 place Northshore Technical Community College below the $36,869 national median for Precision Metal Working — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.
With a 68.1x 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 Metal Working involve physical, hands-on work that current AI cannot replicate.
With first-year pay of $25,818 far exceeding the $10,500 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.
A #206 ranking among 355 Precision Metal Working programs places Northshore Technical Community College in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.
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.