Precision Metal Working (Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma) at Erie Institute of Technology Inc

Median Earnings (1yr)

$25,942

11th percentile

25th percentile in Pennsylvania

Median Debt

$9,500

6% above national median

Analysis

Starting at barely above minimum wage, Erie Institute of Technology's metalworking certificate shows why careful program selection matters even in skilled trades. At $25,942 in year one, graduates earn roughly $10,000 less than Pennsylvania's typical metalworking program graduate. Among the state's 43 programs offering this credential, Erie Institute ranks in just the 25th percentile—meaning three-quarters of comparable Pennsylvania programs deliver better immediate outcomes. The debt is manageable at $9,500, but several Pennsylvania programs achieve similar or better earnings with comparable costs.

The 45% earnings jump to $37,602 by year four suggests graduates eventually find their footing in the field, likely as they gain shop experience and certifications. However, even after this growth, earnings remain below both state and national medians for the credential. The top Pennsylvania programs—like Welder Training and Testing Institute at $47,528—demonstrate that skilled metalworking can command significantly higher wages from day one.

For families considering this path, the numbers suggest exploring other Pennsylvania metalworking programs first. The debt won't crush anyone, but several in-state alternatives offer $10,000-20,000 higher starting salaries for similar upfront investment. If Erie Institute is the only accessible option geographically, understand you're accepting a slower launch in exchange for local convenience.

Where Erie Institute of Technology Inc Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all precision metal working certificate's programs nationally

Earnings Distribution

How Erie Institute of Technology Inc graduates compare to all programs nationally

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

School	1 Year	4 Years	Growth
Erie Institute of Technology Inc	$25,942	$37,602	+45%
Pittsburgh Technical College	$38,300	$46,876	+22%
Welder Training and Testing Institute	$47,528	$42,629	-10%
New Castle School of Trades	$29,655	$38,741	+31%
Lancaster County Career and Technology Center	$46,331	$38,022	-18%

Compare to Similar Programs in Pennsylvania

Precision Metal Working certificate's programs at peer institutions in Pennsylvania (43 total in state)

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt	Debt/Earnings
Erie Institute of Technology IncErie	$15,768	$25,942	$37,602	$9,500	0.37
Welder Training and Testing InstituteAllentown	—	$47,528	$42,629	$9,500	0.20
Lancaster County Career and Technology CenterWillow Street	—	$46,331	$38,022	$9,500	0.21
Laurel Technical InstituteHermitage	$11,470	$39,287	$31,731	—	—
Pittsburgh Technical CollegeOakdale	$18,980	$38,300	$46,876	—	—
All-State Career SchoolEssington	—	$38,191	$36,282	$13,000	0.34
National Median	—	$36,248	—	$9,000	0.25

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with precision metal working graduates

Sheet Metal Workers

Fabricate, assemble, install, and repair sheet metal products and equipment, such as ducts, control boxes, drainpipes, and furnace casings. Work may involve any of the following: setting up and operating fabricating machines to cut, bend, and straighten sheet metal; shaping metal over anvils, blocks, or forms using hammer; operating soldering and welding equipment to join sheet metal parts; or inspecting, assembling, and smoothing seams and joints of burred surfaces. Includes sheet metal duct installers who install prefabricated sheet metal ducts used for heating, air conditioning, or other purposes.

$60,850/yrJobs growth:High school diploma or equivalent

Machinists

Set up and operate a variety of machine tools to produce precision parts and instruments out of metal. Includes precision instrument makers who fabricate, modify, or repair mechanical instruments. May also fabricate and modify parts to make or repair machine tools or maintain industrial machines, applying knowledge of mechanics, mathematics, metal properties, layout, and machining procedures.

$57,700/yrJobs growth:

Tool and Die Makers

Analyze specifications, lay out metal stock, set up and operate machine tools, and fit and assemble parts to make and repair dies, cutting tools, jigs, fixtures, gauges, and machinists' hand tools.

$57,700/yrJobs growth:

Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers

Use hand-welding, flame-cutting, hand-soldering, or brazing equipment to weld or join metal components or to fill holes, indentations, or seams of fabricated metal products.

$51,000/yrJobs growth:High school diploma or equivalent

Extruding and Drawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

Set up, operate, or tend machines to extrude or draw thermoplastic or metal materials into tubes, rods, hoses, wire, bars, or structural shapes.

$46,800/yrJobs growth:

Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

Set up, operate, or tend forging machines to taper, shape, or form metal or plastic parts.

$46,800/yrJobs growth:

Rolling Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

Set up, operate, or tend machines to roll steel or plastic forming bends, beads, knurls, rolls, or plate, or to flatten, temper, or reduce gauge of material.

$46,800/yrJobs growth:

Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

Set up, operate, or tend machines to saw, cut, shear, slit, punch, crimp, notch, bend, or straighten metal or plastic material.

$46,800/yrJobs growth:

Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

Set up, operate, or tend drilling machines to drill, bore, ream, mill, or countersink metal or plastic work pieces.

$46,800/yrJobs growth:

Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

Set up, operate, or tend grinding and related tools that remove excess material or burrs from surfaces, sharpen edges or corners, or buff, hone, or polish metal or plastic work pieces.

$46,800/yrJobs growth:

Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

Set up, operate, or tend lathe and turning machines to turn, bore, thread, form, or face metal or plastic materials, such as wire, rod, or bar stock.

$46,800/yrJobs growth:

Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

Set up, operate, or tend milling or planing machines to mill, plane, shape, groove, or profile metal or plastic work pieces.

$46,800/yrJobs growth:

About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Erie Institute of Technology Inc, approximately 51% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.