Precision Metal Working (Associate's Degree) at Los Angeles Pierce College

Est. Earnings (1yr)

$41,504

Est. from national median (56 programs)

Est. Median Debt

$11,562

Est. from national median (20 programs)

Analysis

A community college associate's degree with an estimated debt load of $11,562 presents a manageable starting point for entering skilled trades, especially when typical programs nationally show similar debt levels around $12,000. Based on the national benchmark of 56 comparable precision metalworking programs, first-year earnings around $41,500 translate to a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.28—meaning graduates would owe roughly three months' salary, a threshold that makes repayment realistic on a machinist's wages.

The challenge here is that California's cost of living, particularly in Los Angeles County, makes $41,500 stretch differently than it would elsewhere. Precision metalworking programs nationally range up to $47,500 at their 75th percentile, suggesting there's room for earnings growth, but the starting salary may feel tight in Woodland Hills. Trade skills typically appreciate with experience and certification, so the initial earnings figure shouldn't be viewed as a ceiling.

For families considering this path, the modest debt relative to earnings is encouraging, and Pierce College serves a substantial population of Pell grant recipients (27%), indicating the program is accessible. The real question is whether your student is committed to the trade itself—metalworking demands physical work and technical precision. If they're drawn to hands-on manufacturing and can tolerate a modest first-year salary in an expensive region, the financial foundation appears sound enough to build on.

Where Los Angeles Pierce College Stands

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

Compare to Similar Programs Nationally

Precision Metal Working associates's programs at top institutions nationally

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)*	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt*	Debt/Earnings
Los Angeles Pierce CollegeWoodland Hills	$1,238	$41,504*	—	$11,562*	—
Hennepin Technical CollegeBrooklyn Park	$5,881	$59,829*	$73,136	—*	—
Ferris State UniversityBig Rapids	$13,630	$56,811*	$77,380	$17,500*	0.31
Ivy Tech Community CollegeIndianapolis	$4,912	$56,292*	$64,893	$6,810*	0.12
Dunwoody College of TechnologyMinneapolis	$25,659	$55,188*	$61,261	$12,000*	0.22
Vincennes UniversityVincennes	$6,886	$54,908*	$52,065	$12,000*	0.22
National Median	—	$41,504*	—	$12,000*	0.29

* Estimated from similar programs

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 Los Angeles Pierce College, approximately 27% 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.

Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the national median of 56 similar programs. Actual outcomes may vary.