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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Top jobs that Require Community College Credentials
How much will I make per hour?
Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers
Job openings per year:
347How much will I make?
- Entry-level: $17.58/hr.
- Median: $21.75/hr.
- Experienced: $28.10/hr.
First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers
Job openings per year:
342How much will I make?
- Entry-level: $24.34/hr.
- Median: $33.27/hr.
- Experienced: $43.71/hr.
Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers
Job openings per year:
315How much will I make?
- Entry-level: $21.08/hr.
- Median: $25.27/hr.
- Experienced: $29.45/hr.
Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers
Job openings per year:
176How much will I make?
- Entry-level: $16.71/hr.
- Median: $19.62/hr.
- Experienced: $23.96/hr.
Industrial Machinery Mechanics
Job openings per year:
173How much will I make?
- Entry-level: $27.09/hr.
- Median: $30.48/hr.
- Experienced: $37.51/hr.
Machinists
Job openings per year:
172How much will I make?
- Entry-level: $18.60/hr.
- Median: $23.61/hr.
- Experienced: $30.08/hr.
Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians
Job openings per year:
86How much will I make?
- Entry-level: $24.10/hr.
- Median: $33.15/hr.
- Experienced: $39.06/hr.
Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other
Job openings per year:
59How much will I make?
- Entry-level: $23.01/hr.
- Median: $30.67/hr.
- Experienced: $40.36/hr.
Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators
Job openings per year:
58How much will I make?
- Entry-level: $19.64/hr.
- Median: $23.23/hr.
- Experienced: $27.89/hr.
Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians
Job openings per year:
51How much will I make?
- Entry-level: $18.04/hr.
- Median: $18.53/hr.
- Experienced: $22.11/hr.
Control and Valve Installers and Repairers, Except Mechanical Door
Job openings per year:
50How much will I make?
- Entry-level: $30.69/hr.
- Median: $44.03/hr.
- Experienced: $52.12/hr.
Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic
Job openings per year:
50How much will I make?
- Entry-level: $17.88/hr.
- Median: $21.35/hr.
- Experienced: $25.22/hr.
Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Commercial and Industrial Equipment
Job openings per year:
38How much will I make?
- Entry-level: $29.35/hr.
- Median: $36.06/hr.
- Experienced: $46.71/hr.
Home Appliance Repairers
Job openings per year:
31How much will I make?
- Entry-level: $20.39/hr.
- Median: $23.26/hr.
- Experienced: $30.27/hr.
Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders
Job openings per year:
24How much will I make?
- Entry-level: $17.59/hr.
- Median: $21.56/hr.
- Experienced: $26.99/hr.
Top Employers & Skills
Employers
- Siemens
- Jmax Properties
- State of California
- University of California
- Hamilton Company
- Hupp Draft Services
- Cepheid
- Morgan Advanced Materials
- Balanced Body
- Symbotic
- Blue Diamond Growers
- Teledyne
- One Day Doors & Closets
- Sears
- TechnipFMC
- Bimbo Bakeries USA
- AECOM
- Ruffstuff Specialties
- Nor Cal Beverage
- PRIDE Industries
Specialized skills
- Hand Tools
- Machinery
- Power Tool Operation
- Machining
- Welding
- Blueprinting
- Fabrication
- Forklift Truck
- Auditing
- Development Environment
Technology & software skills
- Microsoft Office (Access, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Word)
- Spreadsheets
- SAP Applications
- Operating Systems
- G-Codes
- Inventory Management System
- Application Programming Interface (API)
- Database Software
- Python (Programming Language)
- AutoCAD
Employability skills
- Communications
- Operations
- Management
- Troubleshooting
- Customer Service
- Detail Oriented
- Problem Solving
- Lifting Ability
- Leadership
- Quality Control
Source: Lightcast 2023.3; QCEW, non-QCEW, Self-Employed. Compiled by the North/Far North Center of Excellence for Labor Market Research.
Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers
Inspect, test, sort, sample, or weigh nonagricultural raw materials or processed, machined, fabricated, or assembled parts or products for defects, wear, and deviations from specifications. May use precision measuring instruments and complex test equipment.
Sample of reported job titles:
Inspector, QA Auditor (Quality Assurance Auditor), QA Inspector (Quality Assurance Inspector), QA Technician (Quality Assurance Technician), QC Technician (Quality Control Technician), Quality Auditor, Quality Control Inspector (QC Inspector), Quality Inspector, Quality Technician, Test Technician
Tasks:
- Discard or reject products, materials, or equipment not meeting specifications.
- Mark items with details, such as grade or acceptance-rejection status.
- Measure dimensions of products to verify conformance to specifications, using measuring instruments, such as rulers, calipers, gauges, or micrometers.
- Notify supervisors or other personnel of production problems.
- Inspect, test, or measure materials, products, installations, or work for conformance to specifications.
Detailed Work Activities:
- Evaluate quality of materials or products.
- Mark products, workpieces, or equipment with identifying information.
- Measure dimensions of completed products or workpieces to verify conformance to specifications.
- Notify others of equipment repair or maintenance needs.
- Record operational or production data.
Work Context:
- Face-to-Face Discussions – 91% responded “Every day”
- Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets – 93% responded “Every day”
- Contact With Others – 57% responded “Constant contact with others”
- Importance of Being Exact or Accurate – 60% responded “Extremely important”
- Work With Work Group or Team – 64% responded “Extremely important”
First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers
Directly supervise and coordinate the activities of production and operating workers, such as inspectors, precision workers, machine setters and operators, assemblers, fabricators, and plant and system operators. Excludes team or work leaders.
Sample of reported job titles:
Assembly Supervisor, Line Supervisor, Manufacturing Supervisor, Molding Supervisor, Plant Supervisor, Production Manager, Production Supervisor, Quality Assurance Supervisor (QA Supervisor)
Tasks:
- Enforce safety and sanitation regulations.
- Keep records of employees’ attendance and hours worked.
- Inspect materials, products, or equipment to detect defects or malfunctions.
- Read and analyze charts, work orders, production schedules, and other records and reports to determine production requirements and to evaluate current production estimates and outputs.
- Plan and establish work schedules, assignments, and production sequences to meet production goals.
Detailed Work Activities:
- Enforce rules or regulations.
- Record operational or production data.
- Inspect production equipment.
- Study blueprints or other instructions to determine equipment setup requirements.
- Plan production or operational procedures or sequences.
Work Context:
- Contact With Others – 90% responded “Constant contact with others”
- Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets – 92% responded “Every day”
- Face-to-Face Discussions – 88% responded “Every day”
- Duration of Typical Work Week – 83% responded “More than 40 hours”
- Time Pressure – 69% responded “Every day”
Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers
Use hand-welding, flame-cutting, hand-soldering, or brazing equipment to weld or join metal components or to fill holes, indentations, or seams of fabricated metal products.
Sample of reported job titles:
Assembly Line Brazer, Brazer, Fabrication Welder, Maintenance Welder, MIG Welder (Metal Inert Gas Welder), Solderer, TIG Welder (Tungsten Inert Gas Welder), Welder, Welder Fitter, Wirer
Tasks:
- Operate safety equipment and use safe work habits.
- Examine workpieces for defects and measure workpieces with straightedges or templates to ensure conformance with specifications.
- Weld components in flat, vertical, or overhead positions.
- Detect faulty operation of equipment or defective materials and notify supervisors.
- Recognize, set up, and operate hand and power tools common to the welding trade, such as shielded metal arc and gas metal arc welding equipment.
Detailed Work Activities:
- Maintain safety.
- Measure dimensions of completed products or workpieces to verify conformance to specifications.
- Operate welding equipment.
- Notify others of equipment repair or maintenance needs.
- Watch operating equipment to detect malfunctions.
Work Context:
- Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets – 86% responded “Every day”
- Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls – 74% responded “Continually or almost continually”
- Time Pressure – 72% responded “Every day”
- Face-to-Face Discussions – 67% responded “Every day”
- Importance of Being Exact or Accurate – 56% responded “Extremely important”
Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers
This group of 2 occupations is found in the following industries:
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:
- Maintain work equipment or machinery.
- Repair worn, damaged, or defective mechanical parts.
- Replace worn, damaged, or defective mechanical parts.
- Adjust equipment to ensure optimal performance.
- Clean equipment, parts, or tools to repair or maintain them in good working order.
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 – 41% responded “Constant contact with others”
Machinists
Set up and operate a variety of machine tools to produce precision parts and instruments out of metal. Includes precision instrument makers who fabricate, modify, or repair mechanical instruments. May also fabricate and modify parts to make or repair machine tools or maintain industrial machines, applying knowledge of mechanics, mathematics, metal properties, layout, and machining procedures.
Sample of reported job titles:
CNC Machinist (Computer Numeric Controlled Machinist), CNC Machinist (Computer Numerically Controlled Machinist), Gear Machinist, Machine Repair Person, Machinist, Maintenance Machinist, Manual Lathe Machinist, Production Machinist, Tool Room Machinist
Tasks:
- Calculate dimensions or tolerances, using instruments, such as micrometers or vernier calipers.
- Machine parts to specifications, using machine tools, such as lathes, milling machines, shapers, or grinders.
- Measure, examine, or test completed units to check for defects and ensure conformance to specifications, using precision instruments, such as micrometers.
- Set up, adjust, or operate basic or specialized machine tools used to perform precision machining operations.
- Program computers or electronic instruments, such as numerically controlled machine tools.
Detailed Work Activities:
- Measure dimensions of completed products or workpieces to verify conformance to specifications.
- Calculate dimensions of workpieces, products, or equipment.
- Operate cutting equipment.
- Operate grinding equipment.
- Operate metal or plastic forming equipment.
Work Context:
- Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets – 94% responded “Every day”
- Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls – 89% responded “Continually or almost continually”
- Importance of Being Exact or Accurate – 61% responded “Extremely important”
- Face-to-Face Discussions – 78% responded “Every day”
- Spend Time Standing – 62% responded “Continually or almost continually”
Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians
Apply electrical and electronic theory and related knowledge, usually under the direction of engineering staff, to design, build, repair, adjust, and modify electrical components, circuitry, controls, and machinery for subsequent evaluation and use by engineering staff in making engineering design decisions.
Sample of reported job titles:
Communications Technologist, Electrical Engineering Technician, Electrical Technician, Electronics Engineering Technician, Electronics Technician, Engineering Technician (Engineering Tech), Engineering Technologist, System Technologist, Technologist
Tasks:
- Modify, maintain, or repair electronics equipment or systems to ensure proper functioning.
- Replace defective components or parts, using hand tools and precision instruments.
- Set up and operate specialized or standard test equipment to diagnose, test, or analyze the performance of electronic components, assemblies, or systems.
- Read blueprints, wiring diagrams, schematic drawings, or engineering instructions for assembling electronics units, applying knowledge of electronic theory and components.
- Identify and resolve equipment malfunctions, working with manufacturers or field representatives as necessary to procure replacement parts.
Detailed Work Activities:
- Maintain electronic equipment.
- Test performance of electrical, electronic, mechanical, or integrated systems or equipment.
- Review technical documents to plan work.
- Install instrumentation or electronic equipment or systems.
- Confer with other personnel to resolve design or operational problems.
Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other
All engineering technologists and technicians, except drafters, not listed separately.
Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators
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.
Sample of reported job titles:
Brake Press Operator, Computer Numerical Control Lathe Operator (CNC Lathe Operator), Computer Numerical Control Machine Operator (CNC Machine Operator), Computer Numerical Control Machinist (CNC Machinist), Computer Numerical Control Mill Operator (CNC Mill Operator), Computer Numerical Control Operator (CNC Operator), Computer Numerical Control Set-Up and Operator (CNC Set-Up and Operator), Machine Operator, Machine Set-Up Operator, Machinist
Tasks:
- Measure dimensions of finished workpieces to ensure conformance to specifications, using precision measuring instruments, templates, and fixtures.
- Mount, install, align, and secure tools, attachments, fixtures, and workpieces on machines, using hand tools and precision measuring instruments.
- Stop machines to remove finished workpieces or to change tooling, setup, or workpiece placement, according to required machining sequences.
- Transfer commands from servers to computer numerical control (CNC) modules, using computer network links.
- Check to ensure that workpieces are properly lubricated and cooled during machine operation.
Detailed Work Activities:
- Measure dimensions of completed products or workpieces to verify conformance to specifications.
- Program equipment to perform production tasks.
- Install mechanical components in production equipment.
- Mount attachments or tools onto production equipment.
- Mount materials or workpieces onto production equipment.
Work Context:
- Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets – 99% responded “Every day”
- Importance of Being Exact or Accurate – 81% responded “Extremely important”
- Spend Time Standing – 77% responded “Continually or almost continually”
- Time Pressure – 62% responded “Every day”
- Sounds, Noise Levels Are Distracting or Uncomfortable – 52% responded “Every day”
Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians
Cut, grind, and polish eyeglasses, contact lenses, or other precision optical elements. Assemble and mount lenses into frames or process other optical elements. Includes precision lens polishers or grinders, centerer-edgers, and lens mounters.
Sample of reported job titles:
Edger Technician, Finishing Lab Technician, Lab Technician (Laboratory Technician), Lens Grinder and Polisher, Line Operator, Optical Lab Technician (Optical Laboratory Technician), Optical Technician, Polisher, Surfacing Technician
Tasks:
- Mount and secure lens blanks or optical lenses in holding tools or chucks of cutting, polishing, grinding, or coating machines.
- Inspect lens blanks to detect flaws, verify smoothness of surface, and ensure thickness of coating on lenses.
- Set up machines to polish, bevel, edge, or grind lenses, flats, blanks, or other precision optical elements.
- Inspect, weigh, and measure mounted or unmounted lenses after completion to verify alignment and conformance to specifications, using precision instruments.
- Shape lenses appropriately so that they can be inserted into frames.
Detailed Work Activities:
- Mount materials or workpieces onto production equipment.
- Inspect finished products to locate flaws.
- Shape glass or similar materials.
- Measure dimensions of completed products or workpieces to verify conformance to specifications.
- Weigh finished products.
Control and Valve Installers and Repairers, Except Mechanical Door
Install, repair, and maintain mechanical regulating and controlling devices, such as electric meters, gas regulators, thermostats, safety and flow valves, and other mechanical governors.
Sample of reported job titles:
Control Valve Mechanic, Control Valve Technician, Electric Meter Technician, Instrument and Electrical Technician (I and E Technician), Instrument Technician, Measurement Technician, Meter Technician, Service Technician, Valve Technician, Water Plant Maintenance Mechanic
Tasks:
- Record maintenance information, including test results, material usage, and repairs made.
- Disassemble and repair mechanical control devices or valves, such as regulators, thermostats, or hydrants, using power tools, hand tools, and cutting torches.
- Lubricate wearing surfaces of mechanical parts, using oils or other lubricants.
Detailed Work Activities:
- Maintain repair or maintenance records.
- Install metering equipment.
- Calibrate equipment to specifications.
- Inspect electrical or electronic systems for defects.
- Install electrical components, equipment, or systems.
Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic
Mold, shape, form, cast, or carve products such as food products, figurines, tile, pipes, and candles consisting of clay, glass, plaster, concrete, stone, or combinations of materials.
Sample of reported job titles:
Bed Laborer, Caster, Fabricator, Injection Molding Machine Operator, Machine Operator, Mold Mechanic, Molder, Molding Line Operator, Press Operator
Tasks:
- Read work orders or examine parts to determine parts or sections of products to be produced.
- Trim or remove excess material, using scrapers, knives, or band saws.
Detailed Work Activities:
- Read work orders or other instructions to determine product specifications or materials requirements.
- Apply parting agents or other solutions to molds.
- Engrave designs, text, or other markings onto materials, workpieces, or products.
- Build production molds.
- Apply lubricants or coolants to workpieces.
Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Commercial and Industrial Equipment
Repair, test, adjust, or install electronic equipment, such as industrial controls, transmitters, and antennas.
Sample of reported job titles:
Control Technician, E and I Mechanic (Electrical and Instrument Mechanic), E and I Mechanic (Electrical and Instrumentation Mechanic), Electrical and Instrument Technician (E and I Tech), Electrical Maintenance Technician, Electronic Technician, I and C Tech (Instrument and Control Technician), Instrument and Electrical Technician (I and E Tech), Repair Technician, Scale Technician
Tasks:
- Test faulty equipment to diagnose malfunctions, using test equipment or software, and applying knowledge of the functional operation of electronic units and systems.
- Maintain equipment logs that record performance problems, repairs, calibrations, or tests.
- Set up and test industrial equipment to ensure that it functions properly.
- Inspect components of industrial equipment for accurate assembly and installation or for defects, such as loose connections or frayed wires.
- Install repaired equipment in various settings, such as industrial or military establishments.
Detailed Work Activities:
- Test electrical equipment or systems to ensure proper functioning.
- Maintain repair or maintenance records.
- Test mechanical equipment to ensure proper functioning.
- Inspect equipment to locate or identify electrical problems.
- Install electrical components, equipment, or systems.
Home Appliance Repairers
Repair, adjust, or install all types of electric or gas household appliances, such as refrigerators, washers, dryers, and ovens.
Sample of reported job titles:
Appliance Mechanic, Appliance Repair Mechanic, Appliance Repair Technician (Appliance Repair Tech), Appliance Service Technician, Appliance Technician (Appliance Tech), Repair Man, Repair Technician, Service Technician (Service Tech), Vacuum Repairer
Tasks:
- Bill customers for repair work, and collect payment.
- Observe and examine appliances during operation to detect specific malfunctions such as loose parts or leaking fluid.
- Talk to customers or refer to work orders to establish the nature of appliance malfunctions.
- Refer to schematic drawings, product manuals, and troubleshooting guides to diagnose and repair problems.
- Trace electrical circuits, following diagrams, and conduct tests with circuit testers and other equipment to locate shorts and grounds.
Detailed Work Activities:
- Collect payments for goods or services.
- Observe equipment in operation to detect potential problems.
- Confer with customers or users to assess problems.
- Read work orders or descriptions of problems to determine repairs or modifications needed.
- Read technical information needed to perform maintenance or repairs.
Work Context:
- Telephone – 97% responded “Every day”
- Contact With Others – 87% responded “Constant contact with others”
- Face-to-Face Discussions – 89% responded “Every day”
- Deal With External Customers – 77% responded “Extremely important”
- Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls – 78% responded “Continually or almost continually”
Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders
Operate or tend equipment to control chemical changes or reactions in the processing of industrial or consumer products. Equipment used includes devulcanizers, steam-jacketed kettles, and reactor vessels.
Sample of reported job titles:
Chemical Operator, Chlorination Operator, Multiskill Operator, Outside Operator, Process Operator, Spray Dry Operator, Vessel Operator
Tasks:
- Observe safety precautions to prevent fires or explosions.
- Record operational data, such as temperatures, pressures, ingredients used, processing times, or test results.
- Control or operate equipment in which chemical changes or reactions take place during the processing of industrial or consumer products.
- Patrol work areas to detect leaks or equipment malfunctions or to monitor operating conditions.
- Draw samples of products at specified stages so that analyses can be performed.
Detailed Work Activities:
- Maintain safety.
- Record operational or production data.
- Operate chemical processing or water treatment systems or equipment.
- Watch operating equipment to detect malfunctions.
- Adjust equipment controls to regulate gas flow.
Work Context:
- Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets – 100% responded “Every day”
- Face-to-Face Discussions – 90% responded “Every day”
- Exposed to Contaminants – 89% responded “Every day”
- Exposed to Hazardous Conditions – 77% responded “Every day”
- Responsible for Others’ Health and Safety – 61% responded “Very high responsibility”
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.