CNC Job Classifications

Where do I start? …… What should I know? …… How much should I make? …… How much can I make?

THE OPINIONS EXPRESSED HERE ARE FROM MY OWN EXPERIENCES. PLEASE KEEP IN MIND DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE COUNTRY MAY BE HIGHER OR LOWER IN WAGES. I AM ALSO ASSUMING ONE SHOULD HAVE (at the very least) 1-2 YEARS OF GENERAL MACHINING KNOWLEDGE, RESPECTFULLY.

CNC: OPERATOR
Dealing with basic CNC machine operations and limited set-ups, this is a common "learning" stage for new CNC machinist. It involves shop math skills, the loading/unloading of the work piece, starting up a program, basic tool offsetting and insert/tool maintenance. The "operator" is usually found in production machine shops or hired on a temporary basis.

OPERATOR SALARY: (average)
$7.00 - $9.00 per hour. Without training, Experience a plus.

CNC: SET-UP/OPERATOR
Along with machinist skills and the operation of a CNC machines, the set-up/operator is responsible for "set-up conditions". (Vice or table?, mill or bore?, rough or finish?). The set-up person should have strong blueprint reading skills, strong machining math skills and a common knowledge of CNC machine part programming.

SET-UP/OPERATOR SALARY: (average)
$9.00 - $12.00 per hour. 2-7 years experience, Proper training.

CNC: PROGRAMMER/SET-UP
Many companies like to associate the programmer with the set-up person (make him one of the same) or turn the responsibilities over to a CAM engineer (who can generate CNC coding via CAD/CAM software) Hence, the CNC programmer should have all the aspects mentioned above, along with advanced CAD/CAM/CNC programming/software skills, the ability to distinguish relationships between insert grades, work materials and CNC machine tooling.

PROGRAMMER/SET-UP SALARY: (average)
$12.00 - ? per hour/salary. 7+ years, Advanced CNC training, Extensive CAD/CAM experience.