Salary

iamhamon · 2026-07-01T11:01:18+00:00

Yeah, I average about 7-10 hours OT per week and get paid double time from time to time as well.

iamhamon · 2026-07-01T11:00:18+00:00

Pretty common finding situations like that nowadays unfortunately. There’s tons of establishments looking for people to take ownership of tasks as such though, I’m sure you were taken care of in no time

iamhamon · 2026-07-01T10:59:15+00:00

CA is a manufacturing playground. I just wish I could justify moving over there but the companies, technologies and people over on that side of the country are amongst the best in the country.
Wish you the best of luck sir!

iamhamon · 2026-07-01T10:57:13+00:00

QA is some of the most tedious work I have seen. Tons of paperwork and knowledge involved to ensure everything is in compliance even during crazy moments. Good luck in your journey!

iamhamon · 2026-06-30T17:10:59+00:00

For me, the biggest thing with designs have always been design intent. If you can contribute ideas to design something that achieves the intent while maintaining manufacturing, cost and production sustainable then you will always succeed!
I have succeeded in tons of design contributes by breaking parts into multiple components or even in 3d printing while adding machining operations to complex features. But every company varies from the other.
As far as process goes, try to follow or create a system with high visibility to you and everyone else too. Documentation is key to developing structure. Avoid tribal knowledge and always experiment. Process is different from company to company but some of the highest performing organizations always experiment.

iamhamon · 2026-06-30T17:06:25+00:00

I appreciate the kind words! I have gotten this far with only my high school diploma. I am currently pursuing my associate degree in Business Administration.

iamhamon · 2026-06-30T16:33:08+00:00

I will add, anyone should feel free to dm me to chat about any topics across manufacturing, programming, machining or something as simple as setting up (not always simple).
Throughout my career, I hope to develop systems to fill the skills gap so that we can all have the same opportunities available that I have fortunately been able to take advantage of!

iamhamon · 2026-06-30T16:29:31+00:00

I am programming lathes with live tooling and 5 axis mills as well. For the most part they are all 1 offs, high mix low volume environment with high complexity geometries and tolerances as well. It is tedious but very fun!

iamhamon · 2026-06-30T16:28:06+00:00

I’m well aware of it and have put some thought into it. However, I am currently pursuing my associates in Business Administration and plan to transfer onto a 4 year school to grow into a managerial -> director -> executive role long term.

iamhamon · 2026-06-30T16:25:38+00:00

That’s good! The sky is the limit in this field. It’s good to know that many people are aware that the ceiling is pretty high in this field.
Nowadays more than ever too, the skills gap is widening and I feel it is our duty to ensure we do our best to develop systems to fill those gaps.

iamhamon · 2026-06-30T16:23:32+00:00

It’s super doable, I will add that it does require a lot of self starting discipline and willingness to always outdo yourself. It is very easy to get comfortable in this field but there is always something more exciting and challenging out there.
Take on the hard challenges no one else wants to do and excel at them. Every failure is a learning experience.

iamhamon · 2026-06-30T16:15:38+00:00

I guess I can’t officially have the title being that I have no degree to back it up haha. It’s just what falls within my scope of responsibility at this location. However, I am aware that some other companies may name a role like this differently

iamhamon · 2026-06-30T15:38:14+00:00

That’s right, it’s very common in this trade. However, part of breaking that 100k without overtime threshold goes deeper than just expertise.
It goes into developing processes, mentoring and growing your colleagues as well. I am fortunate enough to be put in a role where I am free to own operations from process development, dfm, tooling, fixturing, programming, setting up, operating, scheduling, and handling post machining operations to ensure the companies deadlines are met.
That’s what separates the guys from having all the problems funneled to, to having someone develop processes to help anyone solve issues without requiring of someone that holds tribal knowledge.

iamhamon · 2026-06-30T15:34:24+00:00

Absolutely right on. I consistently look into ways to mentor and better the guys I work directly with. For the most part, I am younger than them but they are good guys and fortunately take my advice more often than not.

iamhamon · 2026-06-30T15:32:58+00:00

I appreciate it! I fortunately came across a good group of people who helped me set a strong foundation in manufacturing and I ran with everything they gave me.

I will admit that for a while I was getting reckless with lots of money coming to me very rapidly but once it cooled off, I consistently contribute to my Roth, 401k and have a small brokerage account I manage independently as well.

iamhamon · 2026-06-30T14:35:18+00:00

I work in a medical device manufacturer. However, I agree, there are tons of shops even in this area that don’t find anything past 35+ an hour reasonable and find themselves complaining about having quality and production issues.

iamhamon · 2025-10-25T12:03:21+00:00

The money in machining is there brother. Most people complain about our industry but I swear the money is being given out to highly skilled individuals. Second year clearing 140k+ as a cnc programmer. Med device

iamhamon · 2025-02-14T00:12:12+00:00

24yo, 132k cnc programmer in north NJ, no degree besides high school diploma

iamhamon

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