by our College Data Analytics Team
[Precision Metal Working](/majors/production-product-development/precision-metal-working/) is a field where your choice of school can shape what you earn after graduation. A top-earning program sends graduates into careers with strong starting pay.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 11 schools on the early-career earnings of their precision metal working graduates.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools whose precision metal working graduates go on to earn the most.
Our analysis ranked Cape Fear Community College the top school for precision metal working graduate earnings in North Carolina. Located in the city of Wilmington, Cape Fear Community College is a public institution. Students who complete the precision metal working program here go on to a median salary of roughly $69,210.
Students chasing top earnings in precision metal working will find them at Pitt Community College, which ranked #2. Pitt Community College is a public school located in the suburb of Winterville. Precision Metal Working graduates of Pitt Community College earn a median of about $49,346 a year early in their careers.
A rank of #3 makes Cleveland Community College one of the highest-paying schools for precision metal working. Set in the town of Shelby, Cleveland Community College is a public institution. After graduating, precision metal working degree recipients from Cleveland Community College typically earn about $43,749 annually.
Wayne Community College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying precision metal working schools. Set in the city of Goldsboro, Wayne Community College is a public institution. Precision Metal Working graduates of Wayne Community College earn a median of about $42,329 a year early in their careers.
Davidson County Community College produces some of the highest-paid graduates in precision metal working, landing the #5 spot this year. Davidson County Community College is a public school located in the rural area of Thomasville. Early-career precision metal working graduates from Davidson County Community College make a median of around $39,990 per year.
Nascar Technical Institute ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying precision metal working schools. Located in the city of Mooresville, Nascar Technical Institute is a private for-profit institution. Precision Metal Working graduates of Nascar Technical Institute earn a median of about $37,568 a year early in their careers.
Asheville Buncombe Technical Community College placed #7 among the highest-paying schools for precision metal working. Set in the city of Asheville, Asheville Buncombe Technical Community College is a public institution. After graduating, precision metal working degree recipients from Asheville Buncombe Technical Community College typically earn about $37,078 annually.
Central Piedmont Community College came in at #8 for precision metal working graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Charlotte, Central Piedmont Community College is a public institution. Students who complete the precision metal working program here go on to a median salary of roughly $51,610.
Guilford Technical Community College came in at #9 for precision metal working graduate earnings this year. Guilford Technical Community College is a public school located in the suburb of Jamestown. Students who complete the precision metal working program here go on to a median salary of roughly $36,930.
Johnston Community College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying precision metal working schools. Located in the town of Smithfield, Johnston Community College is a public institution. Students who complete the precision metal working program here go on to a median salary of roughly $34,171.
Richmond Community College landed the #11 spot for precision metal working salaries this year. Richmond Community College is a public school located in the town of Hamlet. Early-career precision metal working graduates from Richmond Community College make a median of around $31,268 per year.
This ranking is produced by College Factual, 2026 edition. The methodology measures the salaries precision metal working graduates go on to earn early in their careers, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard field-of-study earnings and IPEDS).
Ranking method: College Major Earnings · 11 schools evaluated.
*Salary figures reflect median early-career earnings (about 5 years after graduation) and may vary by how long a person takes to complete their degree.
More about our data sources and methodologies.