California · Precision Metal Working

Best Precision Metal Working institutions in California, ranked by earnings

The Precision Metal Working program focuses on the skills and techniques needed for various metalworking occupations. This program is ideal for students interested in hands-on work involving machinery, fabrication, and assembly of metal…

Institutions
79
offering CIP 48.05
States offered
9
with a program page
Degrees / yr
3,919
IPEDS completions 2026
Median grad earnings
$37,502
1 year after graduation
With earnings data
13
College Scorecard
Median net price
$24,830
IPEDS 2026
Avg graduation rate
45%
IPEDS 2026
State pay · Sheet Metal Workers
$86,530
BLS OEWS 2024

Top 10 institutions, ranked by graduate earnings

Earnings = median 1 year after graduation (College Scorecard).

#InstitutionGrad earnings (1 yr)CompletionsGrad rateNet priceMedian debt
1Santa Ana College
Santa Ana Public · Certificate degree
$45,8647831%
2The Fab School
Rancho Cucamonga Private for-profit · Certificate degree
$39,59213795%$37,485$4,449
3NTMA Machinist Career College
Santa Fe Springs Private not-for-profit · Certificate degree
$38,2598182%$21,006$8,418
4Universal Technical Institute of California Inc
Rancho Cucamonga Private for-profit · Certificate degree
$37,56817072%$24,830$10,593
5Universal Technical Institute - Southern California
Long Beach Private for-profit · Certificate degree
$37,56819563%$26,553
6Summit College
San Bernardino Private for-profit · Certificate degree
$37,50219362%$25,402$7,600
7Institute of Technology
Clovis Private for-profit · Certificate degree
$35,1944173%$24,518$9,703
8CET - San Diego
San Diego Private not-for-profit · Certificate degree
$32,8178587%$21,055$8,424
9CET - El Centro
El Centro Private not-for-profit · Certificate degree
$32,8174593%$19,396$8,424
10CET - Colton
Colton Private not-for-profit · Certificate degree
$32,8174272%$17,280$8,424

Career outlook

What this program leads to: Sheet Metal Workers (SOC 47-2211).

Projected growth (2024–2034)
+2.4%
About as fast as average
Openings / yr (US)
~10,600
BLS Employment Projections
US median wage
$60,850
typically High school diploma or equivalent

Top skills

Reading ComprehensionCritical ThinkingMonitoringMathematicsActive ListeningSpeaking

What Sheet Metal Workers earn in California

Jobs in California
9,180
BLS OEWS May 2024
State average pay
$86,530
median $79,630
Best-paying metro
$114,420
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA

Related careers

Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers
$61,980 avg · 26,100 jobs
Machinists
$60,050 avg · 21,580 jobs
Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators
$57,010 avg · 18,870 jobs
Sheet Metal Workers
$86,530 avg · 9,180 jobs
Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
$47,900 avg · 7,800 jobs
Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
$49,670 avg · 7,340 jobs

Common questions

Answers for students comparing Precision Metal Working programs in California.

Which Precision Metal Working program in California has the highest-earning graduates?+

By median earnings one year after graduation (College Scorecard), Santa Ana College tops the list at $45,864. Compare it against completions, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.

How much do Sheet Metal Workers earn in California?+

The average annual wage for Sheet Metal Workers in California is $86,530 (median $79,630), across about 9,180 jobs. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024.

What is the focus of the Precision Metal Working program?+

The Precision Metal Working program focuses on the skills and techniques needed for various metalworking occupations. This program is ideal for students interested in hands-on work involving machinery, fabrication, and assembly of metal…

What skills will I develop in this program?+

You will develop reading comprehension, critical thinking, monitoring, mathematics, and related professional skills.

What is the job outlook for Sheet Metal Workers?+

The national job outlook is about +2.4% growth with around 10,600 annual openings (BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034).

What is the typical education requirement?+

A High school diploma or equivalent is the typical entry-level education for this field (BLS).

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