Step into a new role in a high-tech manufacturing environment. This certificate builds and stacks on top of the Computerized Numerical Control (CNC) operator certificate—or you can start from scratch to earn both in one year. Enter the high-skilled, high-demand field of metalworking and machining.
Learn setup procedures common to manual and CNC machines. Cover these machines in-depth in a machine shop setting:
mills
lathes
waterjets
What can you do with a CNC Setup Technician certificate in Precision Machining Technology?
This certificate prepares you for the next level of technical difficulty for your career in precision machining. After your first semester (a.k.a. the CNC Operator certificate), you can begin working in industry, even as you earn this CNC Setup certificate.
Start with the CNC Operator certificate, add the CNC Setup Technician Certificate and then earn the CNC Programming certificate or the full Precision Machining Technology associate degree. Each certificate builds on the one before it. Also, certain classes have industry credentials embedded within them. These credentials are very attractive to employers.
When you complete certain courses, you will be able to take credentialing exams for a fee. Earn and learn as you go with stackable credentials. These prepare you for a job and advancement in the high-skilled, high-demand field of metalworking and machining.
See what students love about the precision machining technology program at CLC. Picture yourself here:
Earn a career certificate in 1 year or less to refine your skills into an in-demand career.
Career Outlook
Operate computer-controlled tools, machines, or robots to machine or process parts, tools, or other work pieces made of metal, plastic, wood, stone, or other materials. May also set up and maintain equipment.
Salary Levels
Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
Entry-Level
$37,418
Median
$49,479
Senior-Level
$67,367
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
Entry-Level
$17.98
Median
$23.79
Senior-Level
$32.38
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
Top entry-level education
Here’s a quick look at the most common degree levels people have in this career.
High school diploma or less
51.74%
Certificate
21.16%
Some college
16.8%
Associate Degree
7.08%
Bachelor's Degree
3.22%
Lightcast educational attainment levels are the educational attainment percentage breakdown for a career (e.g. the percentage of people in the career who hold a bachelor degree vs. an associate degree).
Develop programs to control machining or processing of materials by automatic machine tools, equipment, or systems. May also set up, operate, or maintain equipment.
Salary Levels
Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
Entry-Level
$49,272
Median
$65,941
Senior-Level
$95,668
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
Entry-Level
$23.68
Median
$31.69
Senior-Level
$45.99
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
Top entry-level education
Here’s a quick look at the most common degree levels people have in this career.
High school diploma or less
23.84%
Certificate
40.57%
Some college
6.78%
Associate Degree
19.29%
Bachelor's Degree
9.52%
Lightcast educational attainment levels are the educational attainment percentage breakdown for a career (e.g. the percentage of people in the career who hold a bachelor degree vs. an associate degree).
Set up, operate, or tend machines to saw, cut, shear, slit, punch, crimp, notch, bend, or straighten metal or plastic material.
Salary Levels
Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
Entry-Level
$32,715
Median
$41,736
Senior-Level
$59,311
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
Entry-Level
$15.72
Median
$20.06
Senior-Level
$28.51
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
Top entry-level education
Here’s a quick look at the most common degree levels people have in this career.
High school diploma or less
76.09%
Certificate
16.42%
Some college
7.49%
Lightcast educational attainment levels are the educational attainment percentage breakdown for a career (e.g. the percentage of people in the career who hold a bachelor degree vs. an associate degree).
Set up, operate, or tend drilling machines to drill, bore, ream, mill, or countersink metal or plastic work pieces.
Salary Levels
Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
Entry-Level
$36,054
Median
$44,386
Senior-Level
$54,005
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
Entry-Level
$17.33
Median
$21.33
Senior-Level
$25.96
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
Top entry-level education
Here’s a quick look at the most common degree levels people have in this career.
High school diploma or less
66.64%
Certificate
1.94%
Some college
12.19%
Associate Degree
12.11%
Bachelor's Degree
7.12%
Lightcast educational attainment levels are the educational attainment percentage breakdown for a career (e.g. the percentage of people in the career who hold a bachelor degree vs. an associate degree).
Set up, operate, or tend machines to extrude or draw thermoplastic or metal materials into tubes, rods, hoses, wire, bars, or structural shapes.
Salary Levels
Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
Entry-Level
$39,240
Median
$51,920
Senior-Level
$78,075
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
Entry-Level
$18.86
Median
$24.96
Senior-Level
$37.53
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
Top entry-level education
Here’s a quick look at the most common degree levels people have in this career.
High school diploma or less
88.33%
Certificate
11.22%
Doctorate
0.45%
Lightcast educational attainment levels are the educational attainment percentage breakdown for a career (e.g. the percentage of people in the career who hold a bachelor degree vs. an associate degree).
Set up, operate, or tend forging machines to taper, shape, or form metal or plastic parts.
Salary Levels
Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
Entry-Level
$46,511
Median
$52,770
Senior-Level
$63,528
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
Entry-Level
$22.35
Median
$25.37
Senior-Level
$30.53
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
Top entry-level education
Here’s a quick look at the most common degree levels people have in this career.
High school diploma or less
100%
Lightcast educational attainment levels are the educational attainment percentage breakdown for a career (e.g. the percentage of people in the career who hold a bachelor degree vs. an associate degree).
Set up, operate, or tend grinding and related tools that remove excess material or burrs from surfaces, sharpen edges or corners, or buff, hone, or polish metal or plastic work pieces.
Salary Levels
Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
Entry-Level
$35,967
Median
$45,122
Senior-Level
$58,233
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
Entry-Level
$17.29
Median
$21.69
Senior-Level
$27.99
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
Top entry-level education
Here’s a quick look at the most common degree levels people have in this career.
High school diploma or less
81.53%
Certificate
14.28%
Some college
4.2%
Lightcast educational attainment levels are the educational attainment percentage breakdown for a career (e.g. the percentage of people in the career who hold a bachelor degree vs. an associate degree).
This pathway serves as a guide for students to complete the degree or certificate assuming full-time enrollment (registered in 12 or more credit hours per semester) with Semester 1 typically representing a Fall term. Students are strongly encouraged to meet with their College and Career Navigator (CCN) to identify coursework that will meet degree requirements based on individual academic goals. For a more inclusive list of course options, see the college catalog.
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*Cost is estimated based on recommended pathway credit hours. This includes in-district tuition and other
fees, such as books and materials before financial aid is applied,
as well as grants, loans or scholarships. There are many opportunities for financial assistance at CLC. Learn more about Cost of Attendance.
Precision Machining Technology at CLC
Get the bigger picture
A CNC Setup Technician certificate is just one possible way to study Precision Machining. Get the bigger picture—degrees, credentials and extra options.
To succeed in machining and metalworking, you need to be able to:
work with your hands
work both independently and as a team player
prioritize
organize
pay attention to detail
motivate yourself
think critically
solve problems
use hand and power tools comfortably
write clearly
After completing this certificate, you qualify to take the exams for these NIMS Level 1 certifications:
NIMS Level 1: Measurement, Materials, and Safety
NIMS Level 1: Job Planning Benchwork and Layout
NIMS Level 1: Manual Milling Skills I
NIMS Level 1: Turning Operations: Turning Between Centers
NIMS Level 1: CNC Milling: Operations
NIMS Level 1: CNC Turning: Operations
NIMS Level 1: Grinding Skills I
NIMS Level 1: CNC Milling: Programming, Setup and Operations
NIMS Level 1: CNC Turning: Programming, Setup and Operations
You may also compete in SkillsUSA.
The CNC Setup Technician Certificate prepares you for the skills necessary to work as a CNC machine operator, CNC setup tech, manual machinist or CNC machinist, including:
basic manual mills and lathes
CNC machine operation
machine and shop safety
fundamental machining processes
interpreting blueprints
inspection and measuring techniques.
Setup procedures common to CNC machines
Employers who offer these types of jobs in Lake County include:
A.L. Hansen
Endo Plus
HN Precision
KNUTH Machine Tools USA
Laser Precision, LLC
Ludlow Manufacturing
Lyndex-Nikken
Metcalf Machine
NYPRO Mold
NyproMold
Qualitek Manufacturing, Inc
West Machine Products
Take the next step...
Be debt-free at CLC
CLC has some of the lowest tuition around. Financial aid and scholarships are available—even for working adults.
