Is it hard finding a job as an CNC Machinist?

[bacsilove]

I'm planning on taking classes at my community college in spring for my "CNC Technology Diploma". However, I'm not certain if this will be any help to me at all when trying to find a job in this field. How's the job market right now for CNC? I need your guidance on whether if I should stay on this course or head elsewhere.

Also, what is the average salary for a CNC worker in Georgia.

[Sinistersam]

Pay scale varies greatly within different parts of the state, and even from shop to shop. Since your just starting out, more likely than not, your going to be just a button smasher for a while. Some companies only want people (beginners) that stand at the machine and load/unload parts all day. It pays more than McDonalds, but not by much. 9-12 hr probably. If you really want to make better money, your really going to need some experience behind you. Most of the people that become machinist for the long haul, can have a decent life. Your not going to have more money than you know what to do with, for sure. Some people put that extra effort into continued learning, and can move up the ranks and secure a better paying job, just like any other field. If you had 7+ years of experience, it's not unheard of to make 20+ hr in the southeast, if your one of the lucky few. Typical wage I would guess to be 15.00-18.00 for somebody that knows their way around various machinery.

[MBG]

No, not at all. If you have 3+ years and pay attention to how to set up jobs you will be alright.

[Chrliev]

There are so many jobs out there right now. I get calls and emails everyday from headhunters but as a CNC Programmer/Designer and Machinist with 20 years experience, I wouldn't consider a job for less than $40 an hour...

[Sinistersam]

$40/hr?? In California, sure, but that's not typical pay for Georgia, even with 20 years experience.

[g-codeguy]

Originally Posted by Sinistersam $40/hr?? In California, sure, but that's not typical pay for Georgia, even with 20 years experience.

Nor here in New Jersey. Or else I am way under paid. Even at my current wage, I would have to take a 30-40% cut in pay to work in my home state of Pennsylvania. Sux.

[Chrliev]

Pay, is always a relevant thing.

"In the land of the blind the one-eyed man is King", and in the land of Kalifornia with $1,000 one room apartments, sky-high fees for everything, $3.50 a gallon gas and the highest state income tax in the country. $35 an hour will barely get you by.

When I see companies here in SoCal looking for Master CNC Programmer/Machinist jobs advertised for $20 an hour I just laugh. Don't know about GA, PA or NJ but try living in CA with a $20 an hour (40K a year) job...

[Sinistersam]

We all understand that, Chrliev. If I had to guess, 95% of those "so many jobs out there" being pushed by those "headhunters" are only offering substandard wages. We get those offers all over the country, no matter what state you live, or even what profession your in for that matter. The original poster is just starting out, lives in Georgia, and wanted opinions on how hard it is to find a job.
"so many jobs out there right now" and "$40 an hour" is not really a fair assessment of information this guy is looking for, and kind of gives the false sense of 'visions of sugar-plums dancing in the head'.

[bacsilove]

You guys think that an employer will hire someone that has an CNC certificate with no experience (job wise)?

[Chris D]

Originally Posted by bacsilove You guys think that an employer will hire someone that has an CNC certificate with no experience (job wise)?

Sure, but don't expect $40 / hour. Frankly, I don't know of too many places that pay beyond $25.00 / hour here in the mid-west (Chicago area). You will start out at basic pay level, probably in the $12.00 / hour range. The road to top pay can be very long unless you are assertive enough to maximize your learning potential and demonstrate exceptional skill.

Chris

[Chrliev]

I mentioned earlier that I wouldn't take a job for less than $40 an hour. I was politely reminded that most people should not expect to ever earn more than $25 hour. Sugar Plum Fairies dancing in their heads not withstanding you can get there too.

What I actually meant was $40 is the least that I would consider taking in this down economy, I normally charge $70 an hour for 3D surface designs and multi-axis programming, when I quote a project it often turns into more than that. I didn't start out as a Pro in this business and if you just got a certificate you are not a Pro either, so with that in mind...

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[Chrliev]

I've been doing this for 25+ yeads and here's how you can get there:

Get a menial operator job, take minimum wage if you have to, make sure its a job that encourages you to learn and get ahead, if they object, keep looking, work very hard, you tend to get more help if you show no fear of hard work. Come in early, stay late, turn off the TV work at home.

Make every effort to learn, become a trigonometry and shop math wiz, pay attention (its free) and watch carefully, take notes, get print outs, read the CNC program, figure out what each command in the program does and why, average programmers don't know how to read a G code print out, do not work hard or endeavour to become average...

Read the machines manuals, learn machine set-up skills; set-up people earn more money than machine operators, good set-up people earn a lot more...

Obtain computer skills, and learn to type. Express an extreme interest in learning offline CNC programs, like Mcam, GCam, SurfCam, SolidWorks, etc. Do not obtain bootleg software, not even an older semi-obsolete version that is still very useful, and learn programming in the privacy of your own home, that would be wrong not to mention illegal and I would never recommend that a hard working individual do that kind of thing just to get a leg up on your career... ;-)

Learn 3D solids modeling and eventually 3, 4 and even 5 axis programming, practice it within your head if you have to. Figure out how to write complex 4 and 5 Axis Post-Processor software, its easier now than it was when I learned.

Read tooling manuals, tooling catalogs, machine shop periodicals or anything else that you can get a hold of, stay abreast of new tooling, control and software technology. You must know what type of cutting tools to use, when and why... Use your new knowledge whenever, wherever you can apply it...

Never take NO for an answer, never assume or give off the impression that you've learned or know it all, You haven't and you dont...

Don't be afraid to look for a better opportunity down the road. This is how I did it and still do it and after 10+ years of this kind of diligence you might be surprised at what you can earn....

Good Luck

PS. The Sugar Plum Fairies will dance for you too...!