Precision Metal Working at Butler Technology and Career Development Schools

Butler Technology's precision metalworking program delivers strong earnings at a remarkably low cost—just $6,327 in typical debt. That's about one-third the borrowing required at most Ohio metalworking programs, where median debt runs $9,500. With graduates earning $42,625 in their first year, you're looking at a debt burden equivalent to less than two months' salary, one of the best ratios you'll find in skilled trades training.

While earnings land at the 60th percentile among Ohio's 61 metalworking programs—respectable but not elite—the cost advantage changes the equation. Graduates here earn about $4,000 more annually than the typical Ohio metalworking certificate holder, yet pay substantially less to get there. Compared to top state programs like Hobart Institute (where graduates earn $45,370), Butler students trail by roughly $2,700 but likely carry far less debt.

For families concerned about training costs in skilled trades, this program offers a practical path. Your child can enter a growing field with minimal borrowing while still achieving above-average earnings. The moderate sample size suggests consistent outcomes across multiple graduating classes. The real value here isn't in maximizing first-year salary—it's in launching a manufacturing career without the debt burden that often accompanies it.