Facing Lathe

Hows the Machine tool industry looking right now and for the future?

I'm planning on getting my degree on Machine Tool technology/ Numerical control and I would like to know how is the field of work going? What are the pros and cons? How much the average salary in the bay are? How easy to get a job in this field? I know that's a lot of question to answer, so feel free to answer the things you know.. Best, Georgeo

Public Comments

CNC is widely used in industry. If you can program G & M codes, you'll find work. Software like Mastercam, which creates the code and tool paths, is one of the programs you should study. Entry-level machinists w/o CNC are lucky to find jobs here. Some get jobs working the saw, grinding stuff, or cleaning the shop. Wages start at $10. Entry level CNC machinists rarely write code. They run a machine, make minor adjustments when the tool begins to 'go away', and they inspect parts. Machine operators begin at $11 per hour, with $15-$16 per hour after 1-2 years. Half of all machine operators don't last a month. If you make 1-2 mistakes, you're replaced because metal costs more than machinists. The programmers earn $20-$25. I live in Oregon (wages here are low) and the machine tool field isn't good right now. Machining has been a good living for some years. Like other manufacturing, it can be outsourced. For salary information, go to http://www.edd.ca.gov because it's the best way to get information in the SF Bay Area.