Boost Your Earnings: Understand the CNC Machinist Salary with Degree

Curious about the cnc machinist salary with degree? Our comprehensive analysis sheds light on the financial benefits of academic qualifications in this field. Expect to uncover real figures and insights that illustrate just how a degree can elevate your earnings as a CNC machinist, arming you with the knowledge to forge your career path smartly.

CNC Machinist Salaries: Degree vs. Experience

Does pursuing a degree in Manufacturing Technology or a related field make a difference for a CNC machinist? Absolutely. A degree significantly impacts pay scales in the CNC machining field, expanding job opportunities and leading to better earnings. The national average salary for machinists in the United States stands as a relevant benchmark, currently at $42,147 per year and $20.26 per hour. But that’s not the end of the story. The salary scale varies depending on the level of experience, and we will uncover this in the next few sections.

Entry-level Salaries

As a budding CNC machinist, you can expect to earn between $18 to $35 per hour right from the get-go. If you’re in Youngstown, Ohio, the starting salary range is even more appealing, ranging from $28.56 to $32.64 per hour. But as you gain more experience, the doors to higher salaries open up.

Mid-level Salaries

As a mid-level CNC Machinist III, you can earn an average salary of $70,120 in the United States, with a range typically between $61,010 and $79,490. Your education, certifications, additional skills, and the number of years spent in the profession can push you closer to the higher end of this range.

But what about those machinists with extensive experience and advanced degrees?

Senior-level Salaries

Senior-level CNC machinists, with their advanced degrees and extensive experience, can command salaries up to $60,029 per year. So, the more you learn and the more experience you gain, the higher you climb on the pay scale.

Now, let’s explore the industries where CNC machinists earn top dollar.

Top Paying Industries for CNC Machinists with Degree

Industry matters when it comes to CNC machinist salaries. Aerospace, medical devices, and automotive are the top-paying industries. And if you have a mechanical engineering degree, you may have a competitive advantage in these high-tech fields that require a high level of technical and engineering expertise.

Let’s delve deeper into each of these industries.

Aerospace

The aerospace industry, with its precise and high-tech requirements, offers attractive salaries for CNC machinists. The average salary here is $57,200 annually, translating to an hourly wage of $27.50.

Now, let’s switch gears and look at the medical device industry, proceeding with our analysis.

Medical Devices

The medical device industry, known for its innovation and growth, provides excellent earning opportunities for CNC machinists. Here, you can expect:

An average salary of around $62,609 per year
Roughly $30 per hour
If you’re among the top 75th percentile of CNC machinists in this industry, you can earn over $71,242 annually.

Let’s shift lanes and move to the automotive industry, where companies are expected to respond to the ever-changing market demands.

Automotive

The automotive industry, with its growing demand for precision and automation, is a lucrative field for CNC machinists. As an entry-level CNC machinist, you can expect to start with salaries around $40,000. As your experience and specialization grow, you can earn up to $55,000. And for those in leadership or advanced technical positions, salaries can exceed $70,000. The level of experience, location, and specific demands of the employer significantly affect the salaries in this industry.

Popular Degrees for CNC Machinists

So, what degrees do successful CNC machinists often hold? The popular ones include an Associate’s Degree in Manufacturing Technology, a Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering, and industry certifications.

Let’s take a closer look at each of these degrees.

Associate’s Degree in Manufacturing Technology

An Associate’s Degree in Manufacturing Technology can open doors to better career prospects for CNC machinists. This degree equips you with both hands-on experience and theoretical knowledge in operating CNC machines.

But what if you aspire for more advanced knowledge and higher positions? Achieving this goal can be made possible by becoming more human by completing advanced courses and training programs.

Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering

A Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering can be a game-changer for CNC machinists. This degree offers advanced knowledge in areas like machine tools, cutting parameters, and tooling selection. Such specialized knowledge can improve your machining capabilities and operational efficiency. Moreover, with this degree, you can handle more complex tasks, potentially leading to higher-level positions and salary increments.

But what about those who prefer short-term courses and certifications, with verification successful waiting periods being minimal?

Certifications and Training Programs

Certifications and training programs can play a crucial role in advancing a CNC machinist’s career. For instance, the National Institute for Metalworking Skills (NIMS) offers various certifications recognized across the industry. These certifications can enhance employment opportunities, help you stand out in the job market, and potentially increase your salary. In addition to practical experience, certifications serve as a testament to your skills and commitment, adding significant value to your resume.

Now, let’s move to the geographic factors that can affect your salary.

Geographic Factors Affecting CNC Machinist Salary with Degree

Where you work also matters when it comes to CNC machinist salaries. Geographic factors like the highest paying states and cost of living considerations can significantly affect your earnings.

Let’s explore these human action factors in detail; additionally, we will discuss their implications upon completing the action and its connection to our analysis. Ensure a proper connection before proceeding with the completion of the action, paying attention to the necessary details, including the ray id. Before proceeding, take a moment to review the security measures and verify the connection, so you can better understand the process. To verify you are human, please complete the required steps and visit www for further information.

Highest Paying States

Your state of employment can significantly affect your salary as a CNC machinist. The top-paying states are Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Oregon, Alaska, and Washington, with Massachusetts leading with an average salary of $54,280. Other states offering competitive pay include Connecticut, New Mexico, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Delaware. But the state is just one piece of the puzzle.

The cost of living in these states is also a crucial factor to consider.

Cost of Living Considerations

Understanding the cost of living is critical when determining the actual value of a CNC machinist’s salary. Salaries can be misleading if not examined in the context of the cost of living, which can vary widely from one city to another. The same salary may afford different standards of living due to discrepancies in housing, goods, and services costs. Some companies may offer a higher salary or additional compensation to offset the higher living costs associated with metropolitan or expensive areas.

CNC machinists must consider the balance of salary, benefits, and out-of-pocket expenses when evaluating job offers in different locations. For instance, $10 earned in San Francisco is equivalent to $6.09 in purchasing power, whereas the same $10 in Indianapolis is equivalent to $11.47. Cities like Philadelphia, San Diego, and Los Angeles are among the worst major U.S. cities for CNC machinists to earn a living when adjusted for cost of living, while cities like Pittsburgh, Atlanta, and Cincinnati rank among the best.

Tips for Boosting Your CNC Machinist Salary with Degree

Now that you have a clear picture of the CNC machinist salaries, let’s explore some tips for boosting your earnings. Effective salary negotiation can significantly boost your earnings over the course of your career. Networking with other professionals and engaging in continuous learning are crucial for career advancement and salary increases.

Specializing in niche areas of CNC machining can set you apart and may lead to higher salaries due to demand for specialized skills. Some examples of niche areas in CNC machining include:

5-axis machining
Swiss machining
Wire EDM
Precision machining

Investing in certifications, further training, or advanced degrees usually sees a return on investment through increased salaries.