Precision Metal Working at Philadelphia Technician Training

These earnings figures should alarm any parent considering this program. One year after completing this certificate, graduates earn just $15,982—less than half what the typical Pennsylvania precision metalworking program delivers ($34,638). This ranks in the bottom 10% statewide and bottom 5% nationally. Even after four years, earnings reach only $19,940, which is barely above minimum wage full-time work and still sits at approximately $14,700 below the state median.

The stark comparison to other Pennsylvania programs tells the story: nearby schools like Welder Training and Testing Institute ($47,528) and Lancaster County Career and Technology Center ($46,331) produce graduates earning more than double what this program delivers. The debt load of $9,500 is roughly average for the field, but when paired with such low earnings, it becomes a significant burden—representing 59% of first-year income.

While 25% earnings growth sounds positive, it merely moves graduates from poverty-level to near-poverty wages. With 85% of students receiving Pell grants, this program is serving a vulnerable population but failing to deliver the economic mobility they need. For families seeking a metalworking credential in Philadelphia, literally dozens of Pennsylvania programs demonstrate dramatically better outcomes. This certificate appears unlikely to justify even its modest cost.