American members. (just a few/alot of questions from a noob)

[Wolfie]

Hi guys,

I just wanted to find and ask a few questions regarding a HUGE step in my life in moving to the US (least on a work visa and go from there). I've spent time over there and really loved it, so much in fact i want to consider moving over. The questions i wanted to ask were:

- What cities in america have the most work for machinists? (seattle seems to have alot, and i'd prefer to live in the north)
- I dont have much/any experience with imperial, it seems rather daunting going from metric to imperial...would many businesses assist with that like a training period? or would i be best learning the in's and outs before moving over?
- I'm currently an apprentice but have worked in a few different businesses, but i havnt done my own programming, only setting up and running. Would this affect my chances at finding work there?
- Are most CNC jobs in the US mass production or are there general machining shops that do alot of varied work?
- for someone with around 5 years experience (1 year of that being post trade) what type of pay rates could i expect as a guesstimate?
- last i guess is open to any sought of advice you guys in the States could offer a guy wanting to make a life over there working CNC's as a career.

sorry for all the questions guys, but this is a huge step in my life and ANY help or info from industry professionals in america would be greatly appreciated.

[lakeside]

On area that is very good spot to located for a machinist is southern New Hampset, Nashua area. The job market is strong and cost of living is one of the best in US. pay range would be $18 and up

[Wolfie]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nashua,_New_Hampshire

^^^ you mean there? looks like a really promising area!!! thanks.

[ger21]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think to get a work visa you have to already have a job, and the employer is involved in getting you the visa. May make things a bit more difficult.

[JFettig]

Learning cnc and programming will help a lot, if you know the codes and what they do, its easy to go in and change, that was a big plus on my first machinist job. The job that I took right out of high school for the summers while I go to college paid $9 at first then $10 after 3 months(they liked what I could do), I can only venture to guess what the other machinists were making, it was between 15 and 18$/hr here in Minnesota.

Like I said earlier, being able to program will help in getting a job.

Jon

[Steve@Reliance]

If you move to Canada, you get to live in the north and work in imperial and metric. Because its a commonweath country it's basicly a rubber stamp to get to move here. The area where I live, Toronto-Hamilton, has the most manufacturing and machining in the country. It's only an hour from the US border, so you can visit, and then come home when you've had enough.

[Steve@Reliance]

When you say you want to lve in the north, are you sure you know what you're asking for?

[ger21]

I think Seattle north is quite a bit different from Toronto north.

[Wolfie]

Originally Posted by ger21 Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think to get a work visa you have to already have a job, and the employer is involved in getting you the visa. May make things a bit more difficult.

the new E-3 visas open to only australians is one option i'm looking into...this may not eventuate or i'll use another method in (which there are many) but at the moment i was after some background info. Thanks guys to all who responded

[Dan B]

I think Seattle north is quite a bit different from Toronto north.

Yes, Toronto north is south of Seattle. Where I live in Canada is the same latitude as northern California.

Dan

[lakeside]

Wolfie you may want to look at the moster board for jobs here a link http://seekeremployer.monster.com/?W...KWE16;A0;C;TXK
also for housing cost you can look at this one for north east US http://www.nneren.com/