CNC Operator - Milling and Turning- Technician

Cost: $5,000
Length: 260 weeks
Working 6 months later: Not reported

Program names, program descriptions and occupation titles appear here in English, because that is the only language the federal and state records publish them in. Everything else on this page is translated.

What happened to people who took this

No outcomes reported for this program

About a third of California programs report nothing. That is a fact about the program's reporting, not evidence that it works or does not.

The job this trains for

This describes the jobs people do, not the classes this program teaches. It comes from the U.S. Department of Labor, which asks people already doing the work. The Department publishes it in English only, so the job names and the sentences below stay in English on this page.

Shrinking -11.5%
California projects this job will shrink over the next ten years. Fewer openings may mean a harder search.

No regional figures for this program's city

Torrance is not one of the metropolitan or rural areas California names when it publishes wages and openings. A neighbouring area's figures would look exactly like a correct answer, so none are shown and the statewide figures stand alone. About half of California's programs are in this position.

Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators

Job ads may call this: Machine Operator · Machine Set Up Operator · CNC Operator (Computer Numerical Control Operator) · CNC Machinist (Computer Numerical Control Machinist)

Some of what people in this job do. The Department rates how important each one is, and they appear in that order.

Measure dimensions of finished workpieces to ensure conformance to specifications, using precision measuring instruments, templates, and fixtures.
Set up and operate computer-controlled machines or robots to perform one or more machine functions on metal or plastic workpieces.
Mount, install, align, and secure tools, attachments, fixtures, and workpieces on machines, using hand tools and precision measuring instruments.
Review program specifications or blueprints to determine and set machine operations and sequencing, finished workpiece dimensions, or numerical control sequences.

Show 2 more things this job involves

Stop machines to remove finished workpieces or to change tooling, setup, or workpiece placement, according to required machining sequences.
Listen to machines during operation to detect sounds such as those made by dull cutting tools or excessive vibration, and adjust machines to compensate for problems.

Typical pay in California: $57,799per year
Projected openings: 16,320
Projected change: -11.5%
Usually needs: High school diploma or equivalent

Getting in

Experience needed first: None
Training after you are hired: 1 to 12 months

These are the federal government's answers for the occupation, not rules this provider sets. California publishes the same two answers for every one of these jobs.

What people in this job actually studied

Most common: High school diploma — 41% of the people doing this work.

California says this job usually needs: High school diploma or equivalent. 10% of the people doing it went less far than that.

No high school diploma: 10%
High school diploma: 41%
Started college, no degree: 26%
Two-year degree: 12%
Four-year degree: 9%
Master's degree: 0.9%
Doctorate or professional degree: 0.7%

This counts people already doing this job, across the whole United States. Every other figure on this page is California's, and the federal government publishes no state version of this one. It is what people happen to have, not a rule about who gets hired. A small row does not mean you would be turned away, and a large one is not a promise of a job.

Program details

This program provides in-person instruction only.

A program that prepares individuals to apply technical knowledge and skills to operate computer numerically controlled CNC machine tools such as lathes mills precision measuring tools and related attachments and accessories to perform machining functions such as cutting drilling shaping and finishing products and component parts. Includes instruction in CNC terminology setup programming operations and troubleshooting blueprint reading machining lathe and mill operations technical mathematics computer literacy CAD CAM systems shop and safety practices equipment capabilities and regulations and laws.The term of the occupation shall be defined by the attainment of all competencies of the position, which would be reasonably expected to occur within 4,000 hours of OJL, supplemented by the minimum required 144 hours of related instruction each year, based on the specific employers needs.

Provider's website →

Someone else may be able to pay for this

This program was on California's Eligible Training Provider List when the state last reported it to the U.S. Department of Labor (2026-08-04). Programs on that list can be paid for through an Individual Training Account. Listings are renewed periodically and can lapse, so a program listed when the state last reported may not be listed today. Ask before you rely on it.

The place to ask is an America's Job Center of California

A comprehensive center is where all the required partner programs can be reached; an affiliate site offers some of them. California's Employment Development Department directs people to CareerOneStop's finder to locate one. Contacting a center before traveling is worth it — the state notes that its own staff are not physically present at every location.

The rule: 20 CFR 678.305 — What is a comprehensive one-stop center? · 20 CFR 678.310 — What is an affiliated site? · California EDD — Office Locator

Gardena South Bay One Stop Business and Career CenterAffiliate site
Phone: 310-538-7070
16801 S Western AvenueSuite AGardena, CA 90247about 1.2 miles away
Hours: Monday - Thursday, 8 am-5 pm, Friday 8 am-4:30 pm. Closed every other Friday
South Bay One-Stop Business & Career Centers - TorranceAffiliate site
Phone: 310-782-2101
1220 Engracia AvenueTorrance, CA 90501about 3.1 miles away
Hours: Monday-Thursday 8am-5pm, Friday 8am-4:30pm
Has a veterans' representative
South Bay One-Stop Business & Career Center - CarsonAffiliate site
Phone: 310-680-3870
801 E Carson StreetRoom 116 Congresswoman Juanita Millender-McDonald Community CenterCarson, CA 90745about 5.2 miles away
Hours: Monday - Thursday 8:00am – 5:00pm; Every other Friday 8:00-3:30pm Closed every other Friday
Has a veterans' representative

Distances are straight-line, so the drive is longer. Call before you travel: opening hours here are as the federal directory published them, and the state notes its own staff are not present at every location.

Find a center anywhere in California, and check what is on the list today:
CareerOneStop — American Job Center Finder (U.S. DOL) · California EDD — Office Locator · California EDD — Eligible Training Provider List

How this gets paid for, and what to ask →

Whether a person can have a program paid for is decided by their local workforce development board and the America's Job Center staff who interview them — not by this site, and not by the training provider. California has 45 local workforce development areas and each sets its own policies, so the answer can differ between two people in neighboring counties. Nothing here is a promise of funding or a determination of eligibility.

The rules cited here, and the state and federal sites linked to, are published in English.

How this site gets its figures, and what they do not tell you →