The Metalworking major builds core foundations in this discipline and prepares students with practical, career-relevant skills. Use RoEDU™ to find programs that match your goals.
Within Trade, students often explore key subfields and specializations that provide targeted expertise.
Graduates translate classroom knowledge into real-world impact across sectors through hands-on projects and internships.
As part of Trade, this major connects to diverse, high-demand fields and interdisciplinary pathways.
Typical starting pay soon after graduation.
Estimated after a decade of experience.
Seasoned professionals at ~20 years.
CAGR (compound annual growth rate) summarizes average yearly change across the observed period.
Employment-weighted across mapped SOCs; entry ≈ 85% of median; historical CAGR shown for last 5y; projections capped at 3% CAGR; lifetime is 40-year present value at 3% discount.
Data from Bureau of Labor Statistics (2024) • Median wages, employment, and growth projections
| Occupation | Median Wage | Total Jobs | Growth Rate | Education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers SOC: 51-9162 Occupation: Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers | $65,670 | 28,230 | N/A | N/A |
Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters SOC: 51-2041 Occupation: Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters | $49,900 | 53,380 | N/A | N/A |
Extruding and Drawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic SOC: 51-4021 Occupation: Extruding and Drawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $46,980 | 65,700 | N/A | N/A |
Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic SOC: 51-4022 Occupation: Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $49,240 | 8,760 | N/A | N/A |
Rolling Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic SOC: 51-4023 Occupation: Rolling Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $48,630 | 22,350 | N/A | N/A |
Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic SOC: 51-4031 Occupation: Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $45,590 | 174,430 | N/A | N/A |
Historical data from Bureau of Labor Statistics (2020-2024) • Salary trends and employment growth over 5 years
| Year | Median Wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $65,670 | 28,230 |
| 2023 | $63,440 | 28,030 |
| 2022 | $60,800 | 28,120 |
| 2021 | $60,780 | 25,800 |
| 2020 | $57,740 | 25,530 |
| Year | Median Wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $49,900 | 53,380 |
| 2023 | $48,480 | 57,810 |
| 2022 | $47,200 | 58,870 |
| 2021 | $45,480 | 61,070 |
| 2020 | $41,780 | 69,550 |
| Year | Median Wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $46,980 | 65,700 |
| 2023 | $44,390 | 63,370 |
| 2022 | $39,970 | 63,490 |
| 2021 | $37,750 | 59,490 |
| 2020 | $37,530 | 69,300 |
| Year | Median Wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $49,240 | 8,760 |
| 2023 | $46,990 | 9,170 |
| 2022 | $46,540 | 10,650 |
| 2021 | $44,520 | 11,500 |
| 2020 | $41,430 | 13,730 |
| Year | Median Wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $48,630 | 22,350 |
| 2023 | $47,040 | 24,750 |
| 2022 | $46,310 | 27,900 |
| 2021 | $46,210 | 31,650 |
| 2020 | $43,600 | 34,500 |
| Year | Median Wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $45,590 | 174,430 |
| 2023 | $42,400 | 179,230 |
| 2022 | $39,340 | 182,460 |
| 2021 | $37,630 | 179,630 |
| 2020 | $36,980 | 179,300 |
| Year | Median Wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $46,630 | 5,310 |
| 2023 | $44,620 | 5,740 |
| 2022 | $42,450 | 6,470 |
| 2021 | $38,580 | 6,810 |
| 2020 | $39,780 | 9,090 |
| Year | Median Wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $45,190 | 70,110 |
| 2023 | $42,610 | 75,260 |
| 2022 | $38,910 | 73,800 |
| 2021 | $37,550 | 67,750 |
| 2020 | $36,880 | 69,570 |
| Year | Median Wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $48,620 | 18,970 |
| 2023 | $47,110 | 19,560 |
| 2022 | $47,020 | 19,410 |
| 2021 | $44,240 | 19,690 |
| 2020 | $41,380 | 23,710 |
| Year | Median Wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $48,310 | 13,810 |
| 2023 | $47,200 | 13,990 |
| 2022 | $46,870 | 15,480 |
| 2021 | $46,850 | 14,920 |
| 2020 | $43,150 | 15,760 |