Welders
Chemical Technicians

Machinists

Analytical skills
Precision is crucial
Machinists and tool and die makers must understand highly technical blueprints, models, and specifications so that they can craft precision tools and metal parts.
Manual dexterity
Work with your hands
The work of machinists and tool and die makers must be highly accurate. For example, machining parts may demand accuracy to within .0001 of an inch, a level of accuracy that requires workers’ concentration and dexterity.
Technical skills
Learn new technologies
Machinists and tool and die makers must understand computerized measuring machines and metalworking processes, such as stock removal, chip control, and heat treating and plating.

Job Description

Machinists typically do the following:

  • Work from blueprintd and sketches
  • Operate CNC machine tools
  • Adjust cutting tools and workpieces
  • Monitor the feed and speed of machines
  • Modify machine parts to specifications
  • Test completed products for defects
  • Smooth the surfaces of parts or products
  • Present finished workpieces to customers

Machinists use machine tools, such as lathes, milling machines, and grinders, to produce precision metal parts. Many machinists must be able to use both manual and CNC machinery. CNC machines control the cutting tool speed and do all necessary cuts to create a part. The machinist determines the cutting path, the speed of the cut, and the feed rate by programming instructions into the CNC machine.

Although workers may produce large quantities of one part, precision machinists often produce small batches or one-of-a-kind items. The parts that machinists make range from simple steel bolts to titanium bone screws for orthopedic implants. Hydraulic parts, antilock brakes, and automobile pistons are other widely known products that machinists make.

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Job Outlook

Median Pay – $40,550
HS Diploma or Equivalent
No Related Work Experience
Long-term on-the-job training
0
Make $46,398
0
Make $51,971
The industries that hired the most were:

Fabricated metal product manufacturing

31%

Machinery manufacturing

20%

Transportation equipment manufacturing

14%

EDUCATION & TRAINING

TCAT

TN College of Applied Technology - Athens

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THE PROGRAM

  • Time Commitment – Full Time
  • Scholarship/TN Promise Eligible – Yes
  • Average Pay – $40,550 / yr
  • Cost – $7,795

Advanced manufacturing facilities rely heavily on the skilled craftsmanship of machinists. Manufacturers employee machinists who have a wide range of skills and are capable of performing modern production techniques. Machinists set up and operate a variety of computer-controlled and mechanically-controlled machine tools to produce precision parts.

Train and learn on state-of-the-art Computer Numerically Controlled (CNC) equipment, lathes, mills, and other machines to create products used in the manufacturing environment. Instruction is given in related mathematics, blueprint reading, precision measuring, basic metallurgy, and heat-treating of metals. Incorporating the National Institute of Metalworking Skills (NIMS) standards, students learn cutting-edge techniques based on recognized fundamentals.

• Set up and operate manual, and Computer Numerically Controlled (CNC) machine tools

• Operate lathes, milling machines, grinders, horizontal and vertical bandsaws, and drill presses

• Align, secure, and adjust cutting tools and work pieces

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THE PROGRAM

  • Program Length – 9 months (certificate)
  • Average Earnings – $36,570 / yr
  • Cost – $4,876

This fall, Cleveland State will offer a certificate degree for our new Welding program. Welding is a much sought after skill set that offers a salary that is far above the average starting pay for this area, and the great news is that it only takes 9 months to get a certificate.

If you think you want to be a welder, or you need to brush up or acquire new skills, Cleveland State offers a variety of non-credit welding classes to assist you in achieving those goals.

Cleveland State Community College is now offering a Welding Technician Certificate* in conjunction with completion of these 3 Welding Courses & additional Technology Coursework.  The majority of these classes are embedded in the Electro-Mechanical Associate of Applied Science Degree (A.A.S).

All participants have the opportunity to earn:

  • NCCER Wallet Card
  • NCCER National Registry Recognition
  • NCCER Module Certificates of Completion

Courses will consist of content from NCCER, OSHA, NFPA, and AWS standards. 

AWS Certifications can be offered to groups of 10 participants at an additional cost

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Cleveland State

Cleveland State Community College

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Your Skills. Your Future. McMinn