Precision Metalworking at Somerset Community College

Somerset, KY · Public · Certificate · Precision Metal Working

a compact campus enrolling 3,899 students in Somerset, KY.

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $41,415/yr, edging above the $36,869 national average for Precision Metalworking — a modest premium that suggests solid regional demand for this trade.

With a 98.6x 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 Metalworking involve physical, hands-on work that current AI cannot replicate.

Somerset Community College ranks #60 among 355 Precision Metalworking programs, placing it in the top 5% nationally by our financial outcomes measure.

The 131 apprenticeship pathways connected to Precision Metalworking reflect strong industry infrastructure for this trade. Apprenticeships typically lead to journeyman-level wages.

67 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
66
Low End
67
Score
68
High End
Earnings $41,415/yr (12% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (87% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (164,200 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$475K
3.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
102.0x
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)
$4,656
Out-of-state: $6,192

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Precision Metalworking 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 →

Precision Metalworking Career Guide

What can you do with a Precision Metalworking credential from Somerset Community College? Our career guide maps every occupation path with earnings and growth data.

Read the full Precision Metalworking career guide →

Compare & Explore

Precision Metalworking Overview

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Frequently Asked Questions

How does Somerset Community College's Precision Metalworking program score?
At 67/100, Somerset Community College's Precision Metalworking program delivers middling returns. School cost and personal fit become important decision factors.
Is Precision Metalworking from Somerset Community College a future-proof career choice?
Highly resilient. Precision Metalworking careers are fundamentally hands-on — they require physical presence and manual skill that AI cannot replicate. Somerset Community College graduates retain 22 of 24 viable career paths even under conservative assumptions.
Why does Somerset Community College rank so high for Precision Metalworking?
Ranked #60 of 355 programs nationally, Somerset Community College lands in the top 25%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
What apprenticeship pathways exist for Precision Metalworking graduates?
Beyond Somerset Community College's classroom route, 131 registered apprenticeships map to Precision Metalworking careers — including Cnc Operator - Milling. Apprenticeships trade shorter program length for longer on-the-job training, typically 2-4 years.
How many job openings are there for Precision Metalworking graduates?
With approximately 164,200 annual openings across mapped careers, Precision Metalworking offers a very large employment pool. Somerset Community College graduates enter a market shaped by infrastructure investment and steady replacement demand as workers retire.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →