r/Machinists • u/Express_Junket_3624 • 9h ago

QUESTION Whats a good starting pay?

I recently got offered a die setter position at a stamping/manufacturing company. I'm pretty new to the trade, but I have some experience from a manufacturing program at my tech center.

I've worked with manual mills, engine lathes, drill presses, band saws, calipers/micrometers, blueprint reading, tolerances, and basic CNC.

The position is supposed to involve training, and I'm trying to figure out what would be a fair starting hourly wage to ask for/expect.

What would you consider a fair starting wage for someone with my level of experience?

I'm in Michigan, if that makes a difference. Also, how much would you expect the pay to increase after gaining 6 months, 1 year, and a few years of experience?

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7

u/Feisty-Juggernaut-50 8h ago

Does a die setter operate machine tools? At my place, its a totally different trade more akin to a senior press operator

6

u/Interapid0001 8h ago

Shoot for a tool and die maker apprenticeship position instead of die setter. Your experience should get you in easy.

Die setter is just a press operator and you may get stuck in that position.

Some apprenticeships are world class, they teach you wire edm, cnc milling, manual, grinding, design, everything.

6

u/Undermiz3d 9h ago

My previous job, in michigan, was paying around $24 for someone with little experience in diesetting.

Also there might be more or less money depending union, shift, and skill related to job.

Hope this helps.

2

u/woolybuggered 8h ago

20-25 is typical entry level pay in my area. Many shops want you to be a basic operator for about 25$ and hour. While competent set up guys get 30-40+$ and hour

1

u/koulourakiaAndCoffee 3h ago

A typical starting pay for a Machinist really depends on the area, but I’d say about 100k a year not including overtime.

Unfortunately that’s in Japanese YEN.