CNC machines have become so important in our world today. Thanks to them, we can carry out various manufacturing processes with incredible efficiency and accuracy never seen before.
Also, thanks to the growing popularity of these machines, CNC machinists are experiencing more demand for their expertise in handling and managing these beautiful instruments.
For an aspiring CNC machinist in California, one of the best things you can do to start your career is to become familiar with the requirements beforehand.
To that end, we look below at some of the critical needs of becoming a CNC machinist in California.
How to Become a CNC Machinist in California
The following are all the steps you need to go through to become a CNC machinist in California:
Prerequisites
Before becoming a CNC machinist in California, aspiring professionals must be high school graduates with a diploma or a GED.
They must also be familiar with the duties of a CNC machinist and their areas of specialization.
Educational Routes
As a prospective CNC machinist in California, two educational routes are available for you. The first is to go through the academic route, while the second option is to complete a CNC machinist apprenticeship program.
- The Academic Route - A prospective CNC machinist in California can go through an academic program in a community college or Technical School. While pursuing a certificate can take less than a year, those who enroll in associate degree programs will have to spend two years to complete their journey.
- The Vocational Route - Hands-on training on the job is essential for a CNC machinist. For this reason, many choose to complete an apprenticeship program to acquire a mix of theoretical and practical knowledge.
Along with actually getting their hands on CNC machines, apprenticeship programs also teach students essential safety practices and computer-aided design.
Become Certified
Before securing employment, CNC machinists are often advised to acquire additional credentials to make themselves more employable. We discuss more about licensing & certification for CNC machinists in California later in the article.
Secure Employment
Lastly, once all of the above steps have been fulfilled, the next step to becoming a CNC machinist in California is to apply for employment in your industry of choice. As a CNC machinist, you can work in engineering, defense, aerospace, automotive, shipbuilding, and oil and gas.
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Top CNC Machinist Schools in California
These are some of the most prominent CNC machinist training schools in California:
Los Angeles Trade Technical Center
The LATTC is one of California’s most popular destinations for technical courses and programs, and the school also boasts a high-quality CNC machinist training program supervised by qualified instructors.
Students can choose between a degree program and a certificate of achievement program.
Cerritos College
Cerritos College is another beautiful destination for aspiring CNC machinists in California. The program includes six certificates of achievement and an associate of arts degree in Machine Tool Technology that applicants can choose from.
The school also has an array of full-size CNC machines upon which students can acquire practical hands-on experience before graduation.
NTMA Machine Career College
NTMA Machine Career College is responsible for producing several successful CNC machinists yearly. The program is notable for its small class size (usually less than 20).
This is done so that the instructor-to-student ratio is always optimal.
Along with CNC Mills and lathes, students here also learn about coordinate measuring, machines, and Mastercam. Financial aid is also available for those who qualify.
Explore CNC Machinist Schools by City:
State Licensure and Certification Requirements
Certification for CNC machinists can go a long way in helping them secure better empowerment and move their careers to the next level. Even though it is not always mandated by law, many people choose to become certified anyway for these reasons.
Some of California’s best certifications for CNC machinists include the NIMS Machinist Level 1 certification, which is nationally recognized, and the NIMS Machinist Level II certification, also nationally recognized.
Other certifications include the Mastercam Certified Professionals credential, the American Society of Mechanical Engineers CNC Machinist certification, and the Haas Automation CNC Operator/Programmer certification.
Salary and Job Outlook
CNC machinists in California earn an annual salary of $81,067, 9% above the national average for other states. Those who fall into the top ten percent earn an average of $113,876 yearly, while entry-level professionals take home closer to $57,710 annually.
The highest-paying cities for CNC machinists in California include San Diego, with an annual average salary of $92,405; Fremont, with an average yearly salary of $92,368; and Long Beach, with an average annual wage of $86,827.
CNC machinists in Los Angeles earn an annual average salary of $84,561.
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