North Far North Careers

Advanced Manufacturing

Advanced manufacturing is a diverse, fast-growing industry in the North Far North region. In recent years, factory activity has reached a four-decade high, and current projections show that over 2 million jobs will be available industry-wide. Multinational companies, such as Intel, PepsiCo, General Motors, Bristol-Myers, and Hitachi, to name just a few, have openings for advanced manufacturing positions.

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View data from the:

Region
40,174
2020 Jobs
+9%
2020–2025 Projected Change
23.66/hr.
2020 Avg. Median Wage

Top jobs that Require Community College Credentials

How much will I make per hour?

What can I train for? Job openings per year Entry-level Median Experienced
Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers 387 $19.37 $23.56 $27.95 View programs
Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers 356 $15.35 $18.89 $24.70
First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers 291 $23.60 $30.78 $39.13 View programs
Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers 184 $15.05 $18.06 $22.69
Machinists 153 $17.93 $22.59 $28.56 View programs
Industrial Machinery Mechanics 140 $22.85 $29.47 $36.98 View programs
Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians 77 $23.46 $30.68 $39.69 View programs
Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators 62 $18.17 $22.93 $25.06 View programs
Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians 60 $14.75 $15.02 $18.80
Control and Valve Installers and Repairers, Except Mechanical Door 52 $28.44 $38.58 $45.86 View programs
Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic 47 $16.56 $18.41 $23
Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders 46 $22.47 $29.32 $36.99
Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other 45 $20.55 $28.54 $38.49 View programs
Home Appliance Repairers 45 $16.12 $22.29 $28.83
Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Commercial and Industrial Equipment 42 $26.32 $32.96 $41.60 View programs

Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers

Job openings per year:

387

How much will I make?

  • Entry-level: $19.37/hr.
  • Median: $23.56/hr.
  • Experienced: $27.95/hr.

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Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers

Job openings per year:

356

How much will I make?

  • Entry-level: $15.35/hr.
  • Median: $18.89/hr.
  • Experienced: $24.70/hr.

First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers

Job openings per year:

291

How much will I make?

  • Entry-level: $23.60/hr.
  • Median: $30.78/hr.
  • Experienced: $39.13/hr.

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Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers

Job openings per year:

184

How much will I make?

  • Entry-level: $15.05/hr.
  • Median: $18.06/hr.
  • Experienced: $22.69/hr.

Machinists

Job openings per year:

153

How much will I make?

  • Entry-level: $17.93/hr.
  • Median: $22.59/hr.
  • Experienced: $28.56/hr.

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Industrial Machinery Mechanics

Job openings per year:

140

How much will I make?

  • Entry-level: $22.85/hr.
  • Median: $29.47/hr.
  • Experienced: $36.98/hr.

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Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians

Job openings per year:

77

How much will I make?

  • Entry-level: $23.46/hr.
  • Median: $30.68/hr.
  • Experienced: $39.69/hr.

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Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators

Job openings per year:

62

How much will I make?

  • Entry-level: $18.17/hr.
  • Median: $22.93/hr.
  • Experienced: $25.06/hr.

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Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians

Job openings per year:

60

How much will I make?

  • Entry-level: $14.75/hr.
  • Median: $15.02/hr.
  • Experienced: $18.80/hr.

Control and Valve Installers and Repairers, Except Mechanical Door

Job openings per year:

52

How much will I make?

  • Entry-level: $28.44/hr.
  • Median: $38.58/hr.
  • Experienced: $45.86/hr.

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Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic

Job openings per year:

47

How much will I make?

  • Entry-level: $16.56/hr.
  • Median: $18.41/hr.
  • Experienced: $23/hr.

Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders

Job openings per year:

46

How much will I make?

  • Entry-level: $22.47/hr.
  • Median: $29.32/hr.
  • Experienced: $36.99/hr.

Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other

Job openings per year:

45

How much will I make?

  • Entry-level: $20.55/hr.
  • Median: $28.54/hr.
  • Experienced: $38.49/hr.

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Home Appliance Repairers

Job openings per year:

45

How much will I make?

  • Entry-level: $16.12/hr.
  • Median: $22.29/hr.
  • Experienced: $28.83/hr.

Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Commercial and Industrial Equipment

Job openings per year:

42

How much will I make?

  • Entry-level: $26.32/hr.
  • Median: $32.96/hr.
  • Experienced: $41.60/hr.

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Top Employers & Skills

Employers

  • Siemens
  • Jmax Properties
  • Teledyne Technologies
  • Recology
  • PRIDE Industries
  • Blue Diamond Growers
  • Hupp Draft Services
  • Intel
  • American Consumer Panels
  • Bass Pro Shops
  • Sears
  • Cepheid
  • Nor Cal Beverage
  • CorTech
  • Danaher
  • PepsiCo
  • Anthem Blue Cross
  • Cornerstone Building Brands
  • Keurig Dr Pepper
  • Martin Sprocket & Gear

Specialized skills

  • Hand Tools
  • Machinery
  • Agile Methodology
  • Auditing
  • Welding
  • Warehousing
  • Soldering
  • Blueprinting
  • Calipers
  • Power Tool Operation

Technology & software skills

  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Office
  • Microsoft Outlook
  • Microsoft Word
  • Programmable Logic Controllers
  • Microsoft PowerPoint
  • Operating Systems
  • SAP Applications
  • G-Codes
  • Python (Programming Language)

Employability skills

  • Communications
  • Operations
  • Management
  • Troubleshooting (Problem Solving)
  • Detail Oriented
  • Lifting Ability
  • Customer Service
  • Valid Driver's License
  • Problem Solving
  • Quality Control

Source: Lightcast 2022.3; QCEW, non-QCEW, Self-Employed. Compiled by the North/Far North Center of Excellence for Labor Market Research.

Industrial Machinery Mechanics

Repair, install, adjust, or maintain industrial production and processing machinery or refinery and pipeline distribution systems. May also install, dismantle, or move machinery and heavy equipment according to plans.

Sample of reported job titles:

Industrial Machinery Mechanic, Industrial Mechanic, Loom Fixer, Loom Technician, Machine Adjuster, Machine Mechanic, Maintenance Technician, Mechanic, Overhauler, Sewing Machine Mechanic

Tasks:

  • Repair or maintain the operating condition of industrial production or processing machinery or equipment.
  • Repair or replace broken or malfunctioning components of machinery or equipment.
  • Clean, lubricate, or adjust parts, equipment, or machinery.
  • Disassemble machinery or equipment to remove parts and make repairs.
  • Reassemble equipment after completion of inspections, testing, or repairs.

Detailed Work Activities:

Making Decisions and Solving Problems — Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events — Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.

Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings — Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.

Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment — Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical (not electronic)

Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials — Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.

Work Context:

Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets — 87% responded “Every day.”

Face-to-Face Discussions — 78% responded “Every day.”

Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls — 71% responded “Continually or almost continually.”

Work With Work Group or Team — 54% responded “Extremely important.”

Contact With Others — 49% responded “Contact with others most of the time.”

View more information on this job

The North region encompasses seven counties (El Dorado, Nevada, Placer, Sacramento, Sutter, Yolo, Yuba).

The Far North region encompasses 15 counties (Butte, Colusa, Del Norte, Glenn, Humboldt, Lake, Lassen, Mendocino, Modoc, Plumas, Shasta, Sierra, Siskiyou, Tehama, Trinity).

Specialized skills are specific to the occupation, or group of occupations, and represent job-specific competencies.

Technical skills refer to the specific software and technology regularly encountered on the job.

Employability skills (sometimes referred to as “common skills”) are foundational skills that cross occupations and industries. Many common skills, like, communication and team work, are also considered soft skills.