CNC Programming Rates

[Chrliev]

I have been contract programming for 3, 4 and 5 axis machines, engineering and sometimes even machining on my customers machines for over 20 years. I rarely do any 2 axis programming because its not worth it.

I charge $75 an hour with a minimum of 4 hours, though I prefer a per job/lot quote. In the past I have gotten severe competition from all types of scum using pirated software or guys doing after hours work from their day job.

They usually quit on really complicated parts, then when the customer comes back to me I add 25% onto the original quote for aggravation and teach them a lesson..;-)

[Doctor Tsugami]

In todays economy with all of the layoffs that have happened it is necessary for people to feed thier family. I can tell you this first hand,at 57 yrs old this industry is a tough place to be rehired to, given everyone(employers) want young and cheep. However you do get what you pay for. As I have had to start my own company,which include taxes ,insurance, state fees,gov fees ,chasing jobs and bussiness that never bear fruit,and the customers that never pay. I have found that a min of $75.00 an hour is fair.
Remember Uncle Sam will take a large chunk of the money,(40+%),so after that that 75.00 turns into just enough to make ends meet maybe. If any of these company actually thought about what they are hiring,no insurance, and no skin in the game ,if they crash the machine ($100k+) because of a rookie mistake the company has no recourse,were as if they hire a well experienced pro that has his ducks in a row the company that hires said programer is protected . There will always be that company that values cheep over good,and we can only hope that carma works,but I try not to judge people because many people are put into situations by thier employer that makes it necessary to do anything to make more money. I suppose what I am trying to say maybe its time for the bussiness world to start thinking about social responsibility. A responsable bussiness hires responsible people otherwise they get what they pay for.

[ADELWEIS]

I have 25 years experience programming and setting up machines.I currently
use catia and Surfcam.I can use just about any data.give me try you wont
be dissapointed