Precision Metalworking at Wharton County Junior College

Wharton, TX · Public · Certificate · Precision Metal Working

a compact campus enrolling 4,832 students in Wharton, TX.

Program Analysis

Wharton County Junior College's Precision Metalworking graduates start at $28,408/yr, trailing the $36,869 national average by 23%. The program's value hinges on affordability.

The 147.3x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. Trade programs often deliver strong ratios, and this one is a standout.

AI exposure is significant at 13% of job tasks, producing a 40% spread between best and worst-case decade earnings. The field isn't immune to disruption.

Ranked #121 out of 355 programs, Wharton County Junior College's Precision Metalworking offering sits in the upper half but doesn't break into the top tier.

Earnings growth from $28,408 to $44,284 over five years (56% increase) indicates that graduates in this trade see meaningful salary progression.

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

62 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
58
Low End
62
Score
63
High End
Earnings $28,408/yr (-23% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (87% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (164,200 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$492K
11.7% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
168.8x
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)
$2,916
Out-of-state: $5,568
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$44,284
56% growth from Year 1

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

Precision Metalworking opens doors to multiple career tracks. Our pillar guide covers every mapped occupation with salary data and AI resilience ratings.

Read the full Precision Metalworking career guide →

Compare & Explore

Precision Metalworking Overview

Precision Metalworking at Other Schools

Other Majors at Wharton County Junior College

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Wharton County Junior College's Precision Metalworking program score?
This program scores 62/100, reflecting respectable but not exceptional financial outcomes for Precision Metalworking graduates.
How safe is Precision Metalworking from automation?
Precision Metalworking rates as "AI-Proof" for AI resilience. With only 13% of tasks exposed to automation, the trade's physical demands provide a natural shield against AI displacement.
Is Wharton County Junior College a good choice for Precision Metalworking despite lower starting pay?
First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.
Are there apprenticeship options for Precision Metalworking?
If Wharton County Junior College's tuition gives you pause, consider that 131 DOL-registered apprenticeship pathways exist for Precision Metalworking. You'd earn while training, avoiding student debt entirely — though completion takes longer than a certificate program.
What's the job market like for Precision Metalworking from Wharton County Junior College?
With approximately 164,200 annual openings across mapped careers, Precision Metalworking offers a very large employment pool. Wharton County Junior 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 →