Iowa · Precision Metal Working

Best Precision Metal Working institutions in Iowa, 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
16
offering CIP 48.05
States offered
9
with a program page
Degrees / yr
1,136
IPEDS completions 2026
Median grad earnings
$41,613
1 year after graduation
With earnings data
8
College Scorecard
Median net price
IPEDS 2026
Avg graduation rate
46%
IPEDS 2026
State pay · Sheet Metal Workers
$61,220
BLS OEWS 2024

Top 8 institutions, ranked by graduate earnings

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

#InstitutionGrad earnings (1 yr)CompletionsGrad rateNet priceMedian debt
1Kirkwood Community College
Cedar Rapids Public · Associate degree
$48,1146743%$13,500
2Marshalltown Community College
Marshalltown Public · Certificate degree
$45,9727542%
3Hawkeye Community College
Waterloo Public · Certificate degree
$45,5097643%$7,874
4Northeast Iowa Community College
Calmar Public · Certificate degree
$43,5881451%$5,479
5Western Iowa Tech Community College
Sioux City Public · Certificate degree
$41,6132950%$7,910
6Des Moines Area Community College
Ankeny Public · Certificate degree
$39,39737239%$5,500
7Iowa Western Community College
Council Bluffs Public · Certificate degree
$27,7618240%$5,500
8Iowa Central Community College
Fort Dodge Public · Certificate degree
$27,4044542%

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 Iowa

Jobs in Iowa
1,590
BLS OEWS May 2024
State average pay
$61,220
median $61,620
Best-paying metro
$71,020
Cedar Rapids, IA

Related careers

Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers
$52,280 avg · 9,250 jobs
Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators
$52,340 avg · 4,710 jobs
Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
$48,770 avg · 4,350 jobs
Machinists
$54,950 avg · 3,010 jobs
Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
$47,470 avg · 2,320 jobs
Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
$52,340 avg · 1,650 jobs

Common questions

Answers for students comparing Precision Metal Working programs in Iowa.

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

By median earnings one year after graduation (College Scorecard), Kirkwood Community College tops the list at $48,114. Compare it against completions, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.

How much do Sheet Metal Workers earn in Iowa?+

The average annual wage for Sheet Metal Workers in Iowa is $61,220 (median $61,620), across about 1,590 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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