Alabama 2008 MSA Employment Wage Estimate
Name of Program Machine Tool Technology
| Occupational Title | Entry Level | Experienced |
| Machinist | $10.43/hr | $17.24/hr |
| Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tend | $11.12/hr | $13.86/hr |
| Tool and Die Makers | $13.80/hr | $22.23/hr |
Machine Tool Technology
Almost every product made by American industry contains metal parts or is manufactured by machines made with metal parts. With high demand for this type of equipment, Trenholm State Technical College offers a highly specialized program to prepare students to become general machinists. A machinist must use intricate technology to operate various metal-working machines and machine tools that cut, drill, grind, or otherwise form a piece of metal accurately into precise dimensions.
Trenholm State offers several options in Machine Tool Technology that are designed to equip a student with the skills and technical knowledge needed to be a success in this interesting field. The student is assigned specific lab projects which must be completed while studying the theory directly related to the projects. Additionally, each student is taught to read blueprints, determine sequence of operations, make set-ups, and select the correct machines for the job.
The Machine Tool Technology program is certified for Level I and Level II instruction by the National Institute for Metalworking Skills (NIMS).
Occupational Choices
Machinists have a number of occupational choices, ranging from operation of basic machine tools such as drill presses to the more advanced classifications of tool and die makers.
Average Full-time Wage
The average full-time wage is variable dependent upon the size of the company offering employment. The current average full time wage is $25,272 to $40,456.*
Award Available
- Associate Degree in Applied Technology in Machine Tool Technology
- Associate Degree in Applied Technology in Machine Tool Technology
- Emphasis: Injection Mold
- Certificate in Machine Tool Technology
- Specialized Training Certificate in Machine Tool Technology
- Emphasis: CNC
- Emphasis: Engine Lathe
- Emphasis: Milling
Estimated Length & Cost*
| Tuition Award | Length & Fees | Credit Hours | Books | Tools | Supplies |
| Associate Deg. | 6 Terms $6,840 | 76 | $272 | $1,150 | $0 |
| Certificate | 5 Terms $5,220 | 58 | $272 | $1,150 | $0 |
| Spec Trng Cert 1 | 2 Terms $1,710 | 19 | $152 | Optional | $0 |
| Spec Trng Cert 2 | 2 Terms $2,520 | 28 | $152 | Optional | $0 |
| Spec Trng Cert | 2 Terms $5,220 | 22 | $152 | Optional | $0 |
* Tax not included. Prices are subject to change without prior notice; cost of books may vary considerably among suppliers. The length of the program is based on full-time status of 12-15 credit hours per term. Enrollment in transitional level general education courses will alter the length of the program.
*Data obtained from the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2006-2007.
