Precision Metal Working (Associate's Degree) at Western Dakota Technical College

Median Earnings (1yr)

$37,717

24th percentile

Median Debt

$12,000

At national median

Analysis

Western Dakota Technical College's precision metal working graduates start at $37,717—below both the national median and South Dakota's typical outcome for this trade. Among the state's two programs, this falls at the 40th percentile, while Lake Area Technical College's graduates earn nearly $6,000 more annually. The 24th percentile national ranking signals this program lags behind three-quarters of similar associate's programs nationwide. Modest earnings growth to $40,000 by year four helps close the gap somewhat, but graduates still trail typical precision metalworking outcomes.

The debt picture offers some relief: $12,000 puts the debt-to-earnings ratio at 0.32, meaning graduates could theoretically pay off loans in about four months of gross income. That's manageable for a trade credential, though it's worth noting the small sample size (under 30 graduates) makes these figures less reliable than programs with larger cohorts.

**The bottom line:** If your child is set on staying in Rapid City, this program offers reasonable debt for a metalworking credential. But if location flexibility exists, Lake Area Technical College delivers significantly stronger earnings in the same field—and with South Dakota's median sitting above this program's outcomes, the in-state alternative looks worth exploring. For families prioritizing earnings potential over geography, this isn't the strongest precision metalworking investment available.

Where Western Dakota Technical College Stands

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

Earnings Distribution

How Western Dakota Technical College 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
Western Dakota Technical College	$37,717	$40,032	+6%
Ferris State University	$56,811	$77,380	+36%
Hennepin Technical College	$59,829	$73,136	+22%
Ivy Tech Community College	$56,292	$64,893	+15%
Lake Area Technical College	$43,436	$48,824	+12%

Compare to Similar Programs in South Dakota

Precision Metal Working associates's programs at peer institutions in South Dakota (2 total in state)

Scroll to see more →

School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt	Debt/Earnings
Western Dakota Technical CollegeRapid City	$8,008	$37,717	$40,032	$12,000	0.32
Lake Area Technical CollegeWatertown	$6,718	$43,436	$48,824	$11,001	0.25
National Median	—	$41,504	—	$12,000	0.29

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 Western Dakota Technical College, approximately 28% 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.

Sample Size: Based on 24 graduates with reported earnings and 23 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.