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Wages and Job titles

Hey everyone. I had a question about wages. My company has been known to undercut people for years on wages. i'm 20 years old and I really like programming these machines. So i will stick with it. Also, because i am new, i am ok with what they are paying me. I make $18.19/hour with less than a full year of experience. My company does yearly "Cost of living" raises. But nothing other than that. They can undercut people because of the job titles they give people. My job title isn't "CMM Programmer", It's "QA Technician". Like i said, i don't really care what im getting paid right now, because its paid experience in the field.

What would fair ranges of pay be for these fields
-- 0 to 3 years--
-- 3 to 5 years--
--5 to 10 years--
--10 years +--

I don't really wanna know what you guys are making, i just wanna hear some ranges.

If you don't wanna comment, then dont Rolling eyesRolling eyes

Thanks.
  • I think it's all a trade off. In Bakersfield or Los Angeles California I could make more money but in Bakersfield it gets to OVER 100 degrees in the summer, and for L.A. it's L.A. no way for me!!!!! I live on the western slope of Colorado the weather is nice. I can hunt fish ride ATVs . I work 4 10s and its great. I'm expecting to make less but the trade off is worth it. Big city how long does it take to go to dinner? Me 5 minutes 10 if it's on the other side of town. To drive back and forth to work 10 minutes each way(other side of townSlight smile) I dig it. Plus in a couple of years I can retire to this!
  • No, Im saying in a small job market experience doesn't mean as much and you are at an employers mercy ? I don't agree with this but I feel its reality. My company charges city competitive prices and pays small town wages ?
  • I buy Agri-Fab schtuff . The lawn roller, 30 gallon sprayer and small seed/fertilizer spreader I have is made by them. The s[reader is freaking old and still works pretty good. I want a bigger seed spreader though, I used it this year to broadcast my food plots and I had to refill it 4 times. I'm thinking the 185# spreader is the way to go next year.
  • educate yourself in the field you wish to continue in / quality control cmm programming ? . get ASQ certified. learn your GDT .
    there are many levels of quality you can pursue,
  • You make $18.19/hour with less than a full year of experience.

    What would your company pay for these fields
    -- 0 to 3 years--
    -- 3 to 5 years--
    --5 to 10 years--
    --10 years +--


    Will that pay be enough for your needs and wants?

    Do you contribute to medical costs?
    Does the company contribute to a 401K matching plan and do you contribute at the MAXIMUM percentage or amount?
    Do you anticipate marriage and a family?
    Home ownership?
    New vehicle?
    Vacation home, boat, camper, etc?
    Saving for kids education, weddings?
    Emergency funds?

    Answer these questions honestly and you will have your decision.

    I recently retired from a Big3 auto company as a union member. Good luck whatever choice you make.
  • I make $18.19/hour. My company gives 1.5% to 3% cost of living raises yearly. Generally it is 1.5%. You can only get 3% if all job requirements are Above Expectations. Also, my job position is a pay grade 5. Which means we cap out at $24.77/hour. once you make it to that point, you cant get yearly raises anymore. I don't know what there plan is in the future to continue the raises system, but i would eventually like to make more than what i will cap out at.

    Do you contribute to medical costs?- Yes, but insurance isnt good.
    Does the company contribute to a 401K matching plan and do you contribute at the MAXIMUM percentage or amount?- Yes, the company matches 3%.
    Do you anticipate marriage and a family?- Already married and have 2 kids.
    Home ownership?- Would like too, currently renting.
    New vehicle?- Just bought a 2018 Jeep Renegade. Nice car. Payments are under $300/month Insurance included.
    Vacation home, boat, camper, etc?- boats are nice. i would like to own a boat.
    Saving for kids education, weddings?- This is gonna be the tricky one.
    Emergency funds?- Also don't have much of an emergency fund. Always keep a small cushion of around 1 to 2 thousand in the bank. I'd like to have a safer cushion.
  • Hello ThePudds!

    It looks like you are on a good path. I don’t see any negative responses in your reply.

    Are you the sole breadwinner for your family? Absolutely nothing wrong with that, just sometimes a second income can be helpful. My wife worked for a few years to help out when things got tight for our family.

    Your peace of mind and a happy family life are the most important aspect to who you and your family are.

    Your top pay grade rate at $25.77 might be enough for your needs. What can you do to make more? Education and knowledge and experience go a long way to financial goals.

    Maybe a move to a better paying employer? Relocation is not for everyone. Being away from family and friends can lead to marital destruction.

    Only you can decide what direction you need to take.

    Anyways, best of luck and keep learning and map out a plan for your successful future.
  • I dunno about that. I live in a small town and I make over 3x the state minimum wage for CMM programming. But, I had formal GD&T training before I even started working with CMMs