Best colleges for Precision Systems Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians
Ranked by graduate earnings
The top colleges for Precision Systems Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians by graduate earnings are Colorado School of Trades ($39,981), Pennsylvania Gunsmith School ($33,835) and Minnesota State College Southeast ($28,137), based on median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, among programs with at least 20 graduates a year, excluding online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools and those with a graduation rate under 30%.
- Colorado School of Trades (Lakewood, CO): $39,981, 59 graduates a year
- Pennsylvania Gunsmith School (Pittsburgh, PA): $33,835, 39 graduates a year
- Minnesota State College Southeast (Winona, MN): $28,137, 63 graduates a year
- North Bennet Street School (Boston, MA): $23,140, 34 graduates a year
Compare 33 U.S. colleges offering Precision Systems Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians by graduate earnings, cost, and outcomes. Federal data across 21 states.
Precision Systems Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians programs report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $33,835 (College Scorecard, 2019), and map to CIP 47.04 and the Locksmiths and Safe Repairers occupation (BLS SOC).
About Precision Systems Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians programs
The Precision Systems Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians program focuses on equipping students with the skills necessary for maintaining and repairing precision systems. This program is ideal for individuals interested in mechanics and repair technologies, particularly those who enjoy hands-on work and problem-solving in technical environments.
Learn more about Precision Systems Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians →
Students will develop critical skills in mechanical systems, customer service, public safety, and administration. Coursework includes practical applications such as key cutting, lock repair, and safe opening techniques, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of precision maintenance.
Top 5 institutions, ranked by graduate earnings
Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, predominant credential. Programs with fewer than 20 graduates a year, a graduation rate under 30%, or online, degree-completion or graduate-only status rank after the rest.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Colorado School of Trades Lakewood, CO Private for-profit · Associate degree | $39,981 | 59 | 81% | $22,635 | $20,000 |
| 2 | Pennsylvania Gunsmith School Pittsburgh, PA Private for-profit · Certificate | $33,835 | 39 | 88% | $30,485 | $12,000 |
| 3 | Minnesota State College Southeast Winona, MN Public · Certificate | $28,137 | 63 | 47% | — | $17,500 |
| 4 | North Bennet Street School Boston, MA Private not-for-profit · Certificate | $23,140 | 34 | 90% | $35,199 | $16,687 |
| 5 | Sonoran Desert Institute Tempe, AZ Private for-profit · Associate degree Online | $49,349 | 2,979 | 33% | $21,265 | $16,400 |
Specializations within Precision Systems Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians
6 of the 6 6-digit CIP codes under CIP 47.04 have U.S. graduates (NCES CIP 2020, IPEDS 2024–25). Each links to its own page, ranked by graduates.
- Gunsmithing/CIP 47.0402
Gunsmith 3,371 graduates / yr17 institutions12 states - Musical Instrument Fabrication and RepairCIP 47.0404partial data201 graduates / yr8 institutions6 states
- Watchmaking and JewelrymakingCIP 47.0408partial data78 graduates / yr5 institutions5 states
- Locksmithing and Safe RepairCIP 47.0403limited data43 graduates / yr2 institutions2 states
- Parts and Warehousing Operations and Maintenance Technology/CIP 47.0409
Technician limited data29 graduates / yr1 institutions1 states - Precision Systems Maintenance and Repair Technologies/CIP 47.0499
Technicians limited data12 graduates / yr2 institutions2 states
Offered across 21 states
The same program, compared state by state. Pick a state for in-state earnings and institutions.
| State | Institutions | Median earnings | Top institution by earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arizona | 3 | $49,349 | Sonoran Desert Institute |
| Coloradolimited | 2 | $39,981 | Colorado School of Trades |
| Pennsylvanialimited | 1 | $33,835 | Pennsylvania Gunsmith School |
| Minnesotalimited | 2 | $28,137 | Minnesota State College Southeast |
| Massachusettslimited | 1 | $23,140 | North Bennet Street School |
| Arkansaslimited | 1 | — | — |
| California | 3 | — | — |
| Floridalimited | 1 | — | — |
| Illinoislimited | 1 | — | — |
| Iowalimited | 2 | — | — |
| Kansaslimited | 1 | — | — |
| Missourilimited | 1 | — | — |
| Montanalimited | 1 | — | — |
| North Carolina | 4 | — | — |
| Oklahomalimited | 1 | — | — |
| South Carolinalimited | 1 | — | — |
| Texaslimited | 2 | — | — |
| Washingtonlimited | 2 | — | — |
| Wisconsinlimited | 1 | — | — |
| Wyominglimited | 1 | — | — |
| New Yorklimited | 1 | — | — |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 49-9094, Locksmiths and Safe Repairers, and its national outlook.
Graduates of this program can pursue various careers in maintenance and repair, with an annual opening of approximately 1,700 positions. The median wage for professionals in this field is around $50,490, although the job outlook indicates a decline of 8.3%, requiring a high school diploma or equivalent for entry-level positions.
Top-paying metros
Related careers
CIP-to-SOC crosswalk for Precision Systems Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians
The SOC occupations NCES officially maps to CIP 47.04.
Under the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk, CIP 47.04 (Precision Systems Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians) maps to 8 Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) occupations, the jobs the U.S. Department of Labor links to this field of study.
| SOC code | Occupation |
|---|---|
| 49-9061 | Camera and Photographic Equipment Repairers |
| 49-9063 | Musical Instrument Repairers and Tuners |
| 49-9064 | Watch and Clock Repairers |
| 49-9069 | Precision Instrument and Equipment Repairers, All Other |
| 49-9094 | Locksmiths and Safe Repairersprimary |
| 49-9099 | Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers, All Other |
| 51-2061 | Timing Device Assemblers and Adjusters |
| 51-9071 | Jewelers and Precious Stone and Metal Workers |
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 Crosswalk.
Skills & knowledge in Precision Systems Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this program most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
What graduates do on the job
- Cut new or duplicate keys, using impressions or code key machines.
- Insert new or repaired tumblers into locks to change combinations.
- Move picklocks in cylinders to open door locks without keys.
- Cut new or duplicate keys, using key cutting machines.
- Open safe locks by drilling.
- Set up and maintain master key systems.
Common questions
What is the focus of the Precision Systems Maintenance program?+
The program focuses on maintaining and repairing precision systems, including locks and safes.
What skills will I learn in this program?+
You will learn critical thinking, mechanical skills, customer service, and practical repair techniques.
What is the job outlook for graduates?+
The job outlook shows a decline of 8.3%, with about 1,700 annual openings.
What is the typical education required for this field?+
A high school diploma or equivalent is typically required for entry-level positions.
How much do Precision Systems Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians graduates earn?+
Precision Systems Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians graduates report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $33,835, College Scorecard (2019); the Locksmiths and Safe Repairers occupation pays about $55,470 on average nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025).
What is the CIP code for Precision Systems Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians?+
Precision Systems Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians maps to CIP 47.04 in the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP), the U.S. Department of Education taxonomy used for College Scorecard Field of Study earnings and IPEDS completions.
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
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