Precision Metal Working at Western Technical College
a compact campus enrolling 1,148 students in El Paso, TX.
Program Analysis
First-year earnings of $29,371 place Western Technical College below the $36,869 national median for Precision Metal Working — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.
AI exposure is significant at 13% of job tasks, producing a 31% spread between best and worst-case decade earnings. The field isn't immune to disruption.
The $17,371 debt-to-$29,371 income ratio translates to about 7 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.
At #313 out of 355 programs, Western Technical College'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 $29,371 to $41,365 shows 41% 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.
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.