I currently live in WA state(the next CA), and have been really looking at getting the hell out of here. So far I have only looked at some craigslist ads, but wondering if we have any machinists in the area? I have 6+ years now in the aerospace machining field. I looked about 2-3 years ago, and it seems like there are more openings than before, but wondering if anyone who is actually working in the field there has any insight. Thanks.

We've got a member here who works that field.

I'm sure he will pop up in here eventually. Good luck.

I sell CNC machines here. What would you like to know?

CNCs, Manuals, lathe, mill.  If CNC what controls have you used?  Any cad/cam knowledge? Solid works, Autocad, or ProE. If you know any more than 1 of those skills you are way over qualified for the button pushing jobs my company is hiring for.

6 years 3/4 axis vertical, and Horizontal mills. Okuma, Makino/fanuc, and Fadal/Fanuc controls. 5 years setting up/first article inspections.  I have been a lead for about 1 1/2 years now in our horizontal Dept. Not much programming experience yet. I am currently taking some of the Mastercam U courses online. It is hard to get programming experience, when you have none. I am just kinda trying to get a feel for the salary range in the area. I have been looking at Craigslist, and what not, but it is hard to get a feel from them. i know it is a loaded question, but just looking to get an idea. I lived in AZ for about 4 1/2 years 2001-2005, and would love to go back.

Well, this I can tell you, there is a shortage here of good machinists and if you are any good, and a good employee, you can almost write your own ticket. You don't have to be a master machinist yet. Just be a master of what you know. Don't oversell yourself, but don't undersell yourself either. Shop owners here are tired of the guys that demand a high wage and then get on the floor and can't do shit, or they do it poorly.

Expect to start at $15-$18 per hour with minimal experience. $18-$25 for good experience. $25+ if you are a rockstar.

And, it is a lot less expensive to live here than in Washington, excluding eastern of course.

My youngest brother works at a large company in Everett, not Boeing, that treat their employees like gold if they are worth their salt.

Maybe you just need a better place to work?

It's not that I hate my current employer. I quite like the place in fact(only reason I think I am still up here actually), I just really am starting to hate the area. The non-stop attempts at 2A rights, and I miss the sun have gotten to me. I am currently at the top of your "good experience" wage. I always like to get more money, but making the same as I do now would be just fine. Especially like you say. The cost of living is a lot less down there. Thanks for the input my friend. It is greatly appreciated.