Aspiring CNC machinists in Florida will be glad to know that the path to launching a successful career in the field is quite direct and straightforward - if you know what to expect from the start.
Among other things, interested candidates should understand what the field entails, what basic educational requirements are needed, and the alternatives for actual CNC machine training and education. We take a look at all of these topics below.
We also provide concise outlooks on other essential aspects of becoming a CNC machinist in Florida, such as the licensing and certification requirements, top programs in the state, and the possible salary projection.
How to Become a CNC Machinist in Florida
Prerequisites
As with any profession, CNC machinists in Florida must meet the essential prerequisite of the occupation before they can obtain training. The significant prerequisites for this particular field are having a high-school diploma or GED, understanding the respective duties, and taking preparatory classes in mathematics, algebra, and trigonometry.
Academic Training
CNC machinists often train from academic institutions such as community colleges and vocational schools. This route offers numerous advantages, including showing prospective employers you have acquired training from a structured degree program.
Additionally, academic training teaches critical topics in subjects such as engineering, mathematics, and computer technology, with students also getting a level of education in CAD and CAM design technology.
Vocational Training
To become the best CNC machinist, you should receive intensive training before employment.
This will ensure that you are familiar with everything you need to know about how CNC machinists work when they are employed so that things are much more familiar to you once you begin your official career.
A trendy way for CNC machinists to obtain hands-on training is by enrolling in formal apprenticeship programs. These programs can last up to four years and teach topics such as safety practices and the basics of CNC operation.
Employment
Lastly, once you’re done with either academic training, apprenticeship training, or both, you can then put your skills to work by finding a place to help you deploy your knowledge as an official CNC machinist.
Among standard establishments where CNC machinists can be found include the aerospace industry, power generation industry, automotive industry, medical, oil and gas, and engineering maintenance.
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Top CNC Machinist Schools in Florida
Below are some of the top CNC machinist schools in Florida for your consideration:
Lake Tech College
Lake Tech College is one of the premier destinations for high-quality CNC machinist training in Florida. The program requires rigorous training and includes 600 hours of instruction, separated into CNC Production Technician I and CNC Production Technician II, each lasting 300 hours.
Among the topics taught are sheet setup, proper fixturing and tooling, shop safety, and shop mathematics.
Hillsborough Community College
Hillsborough Community College is another veritable destination for aspiring CNC machinists in Florida. The school has a certificate program to prepare students in 3D computer-aided designs, manufacturing processes and materials, and the fundamentals of computer numerical control.
Pensacola State College
Lastly, aspiring CNC machinists in Florida may also consider the technical certificate at Pensacola State College. Candidates may also use the technical certificate credits to pursue an associate degree after graduation.
Explore CNC Machinist Schools by City:
State Licensure and Certification Requirements
Like most states, Florida has no mandatory licensing or certification requirements for CNC machinists. Those who become certified simply do so, thanks to the benefits they gain from it, including career growth, respect from peers, continuing education, and more.
Some of the most popular certification options for CNC machinists in Florida include nationally recognized options such as the CNC Machining Level 1 and CNC Machining Level II certifications (both administered by the NIMS - National Institute for Metalworking Skills).
Professionals can also choose the Haas Automation CNC Operator/Programmer certification or the Mastercam Certified Professional (MCP) credential.
Salary and Job Outlook
The annual salary for CNC machinists in Florida is $70,868, in line with the national average for other states. CNC machinists who earn the most in Florida can take home as high as $96,488 in salary yearly, while those who make the least still manage an annual salary of $52,050 on average.
Experience matters for CNC machinists in Florida, as the difference between the yearly salary of entry-level staff and experienced machinists can be as high as 20,000 dollars per year.
Miami, with an annual average salary of $94,615, Daytona Beach, with an average annual wage of $77,014, and Orlando, with an average yearly salary of $74,249, are the highest-paying cities to be a CNC machinist in Florida.
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