Manufacturing Career Information

U.S. Manufacturers are Ready to Grow

• 50% of companies surveyed plan to increase U.S.-based production jobs by at least 5% in the next five years.

• Nearly 25% of companies plan to grow more than 10% in the next five years. 

• 80% of manufacturers report a moderate or serious shortage of qualified applicants for skilled and highly skilled production positions.

• More than 70% of manufacturers report at least a 5% increase in overtime costs and nearly one-third report a greater than 10% increase in overtime costs.

• Nearly two-thirds of manufacturers report at least a 5% increase in production downtime and production cycle time.

• The total cost to manufacturers of skills shortages are up to 11% of net earnings. 

• Manufacturers invest approximately $3,000 in training for each new hire.

• Manufacturers spend approximately $1,500 per employee in training each year.

Machine Career Progression

CNC Operator

Entry-level no set-up skills, hired out of high school machine shop programs or basic community programs.

CNC Machine Operator

Intermediate set-up skills (basic to moderately complex set-up skills).  

CNC Machinist

Moderately complex to complex set-up skills.  Ten plus years hands-on experience.

Tool and Die Machinist

Moderately complex to complex set-up skills.  Ten plus years hands-on experience.

Mechanical Designer

Uses modeling software, such as Solid Works to develop blue print drawings from engineering design concepts.

CNC Programmer

Programs CNC machines. Utilizes programming software such as MasterCam, Gibbs and Espirit, to name a few.

Mechanical Engineer

Develops design concepts, ensures their manufacturability and may develop their own blue print drawings and job packages.  

Machine Shop Supervisor

Typically has 15 plus years hands-on experience.

Machine Shop Manager

Has overall responsibility for the Machine Shop in addition to pricing and quoting jobs to customers.