[%HopeItWorks%]

I work for a company that produces “Automation” equipment for the electronics industry…for the most part. Everything from concept to crate is done in-house.

The company is about 8 strong. A boss, accountant, secretary, project manager, engineer, an assembly guy specializing in electrical, myself in the machine shop, and the boss’s son helping out in the shop.

My main job function is to machine parts from drawings. This is done through either conventional or CNC machining. A lot of the parts that come from the engineer are pretty much CNC-only. So, because of this fact, I have taught myself how to use the Fadal, VisualMill, and the basics of G-code.

In addition to machining parts, I also help with assembly and operation (troubleshooting) of the machines we build. This includes anything from wiring up panels, to running pneumatics.

With most of my time spent in the machine shop, my job title still remains “Shop Tech.”


A main reason for wanting to earn more at this job is because I want to buy more accurate measurement devices and more effective tooling….to make myself more productive, oh... and to pay rent. My company does not believe in buying tools. Yes, I said they do not believe in buying tools…or measurement devices. It is like pulling teeth when I request a tool. When a tap is purchased, only one is purchased…the same goes for drills. I have to use my own calipers if I want to be anywhere close to the correct dimension when machining parts. This is because my boss does not believe that the company caliper, which is Chinese and jumps above and below zero about 0.003”, needs to be replaced.



Okay, so I ask the question:

How much should I be getting paid?, (per hour)???

[lakeside]

with out knowing what part of the US you are in the boston area would be $20-$28 hour

[%HopeItWorks%]

I'm in Huntington Beach, California (Southern California)


…And I left out that I just acquired a Batchelor of Science degree in Engineering Technology and Manufacturing (Used to be called Industrial Engineering)

[tobyaxis]

Had my share of working in HACK SHOPS in the TriState area. Like Lakeside said, not knowing where you are located a base pay would fall aruond $20-$30 and hour. HACK SHOPS are harder to work in, and personally I only use my own tools (inspection equipment), theirfore I charge a lot more for HACK SHOPS. Usually about 25% more than a well furnished shop.

A little insight, how is it that most shops expect people to make good parts with JUNK????? It is possible don't get me wrong, but it takes longer and is a waste of time.

Edit: Seeing you have a degree $35-$40 an Hour.

BTW: Only one good shop in the TriState area, MINE :banana:

tobyaxis :cheers:

[lakeside]

with degree $25-$35 hour maybe more

[little bubba]

myself in the machine shop, and the boss’s son helping out in the shop.

I'm sure that as far as you're concerned the boss's son is "helping you out", but I'm sure as far as the boss is concerned, your the son's assistant, and are holding him back. Or if the boss's son acknowledges that you are his boss, then you are a mean retarded tyrant, or so the son tells the boss. Therefore for being in such a compromising situation, I'd say you're lucky to be making minimum wage.

In New Mexico, you're probably worth $10 an hour on the very high side, in any other reasonable place, $15 to start(quick raises up to $20+) up to $30+ if you're worth it.

[StealthDumpKits]

You're the base of a very small pyramid. More like a totem pole. Can anyone else do the work if you bail?

[lakeside]

...More like a totem pole.....

and it sounds like you are low man it may be time to find a new pole

[Ken_Shea]

I do not understand the complaint, did you not know what you were going to get paid when they hired you?

Did you accept that ?

Are they paying you that ?
If they are then they are holding up their end and you should do the same or give some notice and look elsewhere.

What you should be getting paid is what you agreed to when you were hired.

A BS degree is no guarantee of top wages, it is a good start but what about experience ??

Are you perhaps one of these young people who want to start at the top and then work your way higher , life ain't like that.


Ken

[Halfnutz]

I live OC also. Most places would start you at 12-15, but as soon as youve established your value to the company they should have you up above 20 pretty quick. With a few years experiance youd be worth 25-30, but the enormous illlegal labor pool here in SoCal will keep you below what your worth.

Its like everywhere though, there are places in Santa Ana that wouldn't pay more than 12 for anyone, and shops a block away that might pay 35 an hour for a skilled tradesman. Alot depends on your attitude and ability to negotiate, as well as the markets your servicing. There is a lot of potential in your field, but you might have to change jobs a couple times to get where you want to be.

[tobyaxis]

The Wigitmaster has the solution to the ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT PROBLEM. Can't remember which Thread, but it would be NICE to See Something done about this PROBLEM. As long as %HopeItWorks% is keeping up his end, he should get some kind of 3 month review. At that time if he proves to be worth more He Should Get It.

:cheers:

[StealthDumpKits]

Maybe if he had his own tools he would be worth more.....

[miljnor]

I will ask this, as I am an employer in the HB area. Have you asked for a raise?

I have been in business for 9 years now and have had allot of employees go thru here, I have had only 2 guys ask me for a raise the entire time I have been in business. One of them was worth it, the other wanted 22.00 from 10.00 and really didn't even rate that (10.00).

Its pretty hard to find skilled people or people that are trainable. I as an employer always wonder what other shops pay in my area, I just had an employee who was convenient for me but not very talented making about 14.00/hr leave to an "aircraft" company making 20.00/hr (rumor has it).

Maybe he applied himself better and is really shinning in this new company, I don't know, but he was definitely not worth the kind of money for me. I keep expecting that unemployment request for him soon, Hopefully not but I get them more often than not, from the "I’m the Man" type employees, than not.

I tell you this, I like your attitude, and your willing to get your own tools to make the deadbeat employers parts better! That’s awesome! I'll take 10!

My right hand man right now has been with me almost 3 years and is great! My one complaint with him is his lack of organization. If he could get this one area fixed in my mind he would be worth 30.00/hr maybe more, but until then he probably wont top much past 25/hr. When my shop was me and 2 other guys I knew where everything was and everything was Always put back when not in use, now things are not. Ah the glory days!

My company is in a growing pains stage and is trying to go from a small company to a medium sized company (boy it’s a difficult transition). I am always looking for new guys (currently the night shift needs a new Forman/setup guy) but you guys don’t grow on trees and night shift isn’t the most desirable shift in the world.

Now it looks like a tool room will have to be built and I might have to do a fixture room to! Man if I have to higher a guy just to track this stuff that will be irritating! What happened to the days where everyone put stuff back were its supposed to go when your done?

Sorry for rambling on you thread man! It just hard to find good guys

[RotarySMP]

Supply and demand. To find out what you are worth you have to throw yourself onto the market. If you want to stick with the security and convenience of the job you have, your current worth is what they are paying you.

Did this company pay you to do your degree? Do they need your expanded skill set? Normally completion of higher education requires a change in employer to cash in on it. If you are a skilled machinist, you should now be looking for a new challenge. No one will ever be able to take your trade from you, but if you keep doing what you can already do, the income curve will be flat.

Generally a guy with a degree plus real practical shop floor experience has the potential to really move up and make good money. Often you have to take a step backwards at some stage in your career for the move from shop floor to office (and many don't want to), but that is where the decisions are being made and pay is set.

I served my time as an aircraft mechanic in the air force (NZ), then worked line maintenance at an airline and got licensed. Took a pretty bit pay hit to move into the airline engineering office to be a seat and interiors engineer (crappy job), it paid off cause six months later one of the engine guys moved on, and I easily got the engine specialists job. Six years later I move to the authorities as a certification and airworthnes inspector. For me a dream job, good pay, lots on responsibilty, get out and about, travel, continuous further education etc.

Where do you want to go?

[dertsap]

i would think that any company that is so cheap as to buy one tap or drill at a time is by far not worth working at , what do they do when that one tap breaks , wait till they get another one in before running more parts?
wasted time is wasted money, if the company can t invest into tools it will never function to any kind of high potential , most guaging other than your typical stuff should be supplied by the company , the way i see it if a company is to cheap to invest into itself , it wont be willing to invest much into the employees either

as far as pay goes i don t know how you can do it dude , they couldn t pay me enough to work like that

[Zumba]

The only rules that apply to small 8-man operations is that none of the normal rules apply, especially when 2 of the 8 men are related.

How much are you worth in general doesn't matter. What matters is how much you're worth to your boss, and unfortunately, your current salary is exactly that.

Self employment really is the only way to go.

[miljnor]

Self employment really is the only way to go.

I agree 100% but... I still wouldn't wish that hell on anyone (the first few years). Other than hell though its great!

[tobyaxis]

Why is it that all the good employers are too far away. I had to open a small shop doing very simple parts just not to have to work in an unorganized mess with rude ego mainiacs. I just want to work and do the right thing to help a company grow.

Miljnor and Zumba are right, it is Hell, but well worth it. Everything depends on you success or failure, it's all up to you.

Sorry for the interuption.

[dertsap]

self employed can be a great thing , but for any young inexperienced guy starting out into the trade i could see that being a big bullet to bite ,

i bet i can speak for most of us when i say i ve worked in that crappy shop (so to speak) a few times !!

[%HopeItWorks%]

First off, thank you to everyone who has thought about and responded to my question. The abundance and depth of knowledge on this forum is both refreshing and encouraging.

Now let me add some more of the “nitty-gritty” about the situation….

The main reason for me posing the question of “How much should I be making?” is because last year at this time I was ‘sweeping chips’ and ‘helping around the shop’, and now I am the only machinist in the shop and the pay has not changed. I’m going to be requesting a raise and I’m looking for a fair number to ‘fight’ for, I mean to ‘agree’ upon. The responses so far have been very helpful and informative.

A few other factors will be involved when my boss thinks about "how much I’m worth"
-If I leave, they have no machinist
( by-the-way, I don’t really consider myself a true machinist because of a lack of formal training and a lack of years on the job)
-The Project manager just quit, bringing us down to 7-strong
-I have no formal training or certificate
-I have only been with the company for a little over a year and a half
-I just got a degree and might be looking to go to another company


I might have to compromise a lot to stay at this company because of the ‘totem-pole’ structure.


If I’m going to become a better machinist I will need to change companies eventually because I’m a “Karate-Kid” with no “Miyagi” over here.


Thank you again for all of the responses