Machining Technology is a high-precision field that ranges from manufacturing parts from solid metal to exacting dimensional tolerances that are one-fourth the thickness of a sheet of paper.
You’ll learn to run Computer Numerical Controlled (CNC) machining centers that manufacture actual parts from aluminum and steel in our state-of-the-art machining lab. When you’re finished, you’ll be qualified for a high-paying job as a precision machinist at a high-tech company serving industries such as aerospace, defense, medical equipment, or digital imaging.
Machining Technology at a Glance
2 months-1 year to complete1
$1,386-$9,600 tuition2
- Eastfield
- Richland3
2 years to complete1
$5,940 tuition2
- Richland3
What Can I Study?
I Want to Go to Work
-
Workforce Certificates
- CEU Sheet Metal Certificate $9,600 1 year
- CNC Mill and Lathe Operator Occupational Skills Award (CE) $3,360 4 months
- Entry-Level Machinist Occupational Skills Award (CE) $4,080 4 months
- Machine Operator $4,770 6 months
- Machine Technology - CNC Machining and Turning Centers (CNC Operator) $3,360 4 months
- Machining Technology - Machinist I $2,160 2 months
-
Credit Certificates
- CNC Mill and Lathe Operator Certificate $1,782 8 months
- CNC Mill and Lathe Operator Occupational Skills Award $1,386 8 months
Can I Get a Job?
Dallas College offers a variety of certificates and degrees to help you gain the skills you need to start working right away.
- These credentials are often considered Career and Technical Education (CTE).
- These credentials are established with the assistance and cooperation of representatives from local business, to meet local and regional employment needs.
- Higher level certificates and degrees will typically lead to a higher salary in the workforce.
- Workforce (CE) Certificates can often be completed faster than traditional credit certificates but typically do not offer college credit.
- Level 1, Level 2, Enhanced Skills certificates and others, offer college credit and are often stackable to help you build skills as you work towards an Associate Degree.
- Workforce credentials may give you college credit at Dallas College, but they may not transfer to other colleges or universities.
If you're unsure if this is the right path for you, you can talk to a Pathway Specialist for advice.
Pathway Specialist
- 972-669-6400
- PathwaySpecialist@DallasCollege.edu
What Can I Earn? Will There Be Plenty of Jobs?
Employers in high-tech industries are hungry to hire skilled precision machinists who can manufacture parts. Check out a few of the incredible career opportunities you’ll be ready for. Your future starts here!
CNC Operators
$21/hr
Median Salary
379
Job Openings
-2%
Projected Outlook
Top Skills:
- Operation and Control
- Operations Monitoring
- Monitoring
- Critical Thinking
- Quality Control Analysis
- Active Listening
- Complex Problem Solving
- Troubleshooting
- Equipment Maintenance
- Speaking
Extruding and Drawing Machine Operators
$23/hr
Median Salary
236
Job Openings
+12%
Projected Outlook
Top Skills:
- Operations Monitoring
- Operation and Control
- Quality Control Analysis
- Monitoring
- Judgment and Decision Making
- Critical Thinking
- Coordination
- Troubleshooting
- Complex Problem Solving
- Speaking
Industrial Machinery Mechanics
$30/hr
Median Salary
1399
Job Openings
+21%
Projected Outlook
Top Skills:
- Equipment Maintenance
- Operation and Control
- Repairing
- Operations Monitoring
- Troubleshooting
- Quality Control Analysis
- Critical Thinking
- Equipment Selection
- Monitoring
- Active Learning
Lathe and Turning Machine Operators
$23/hr
Median Salary
22
Job Openings
+8%
Projected Outlook
Top Skills:
- Operations Monitoring
- Operation and Control
- Quality Control Analysis
- Monitoring
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Equipment Maintenance
- Judgment and Decision Making
- Speaking
- Time Management
All jobs data gathered for Dallas/Fort Worth. Source: Dallas College Labor Market Intelligence and Lightcast4.
“All of my Dallas College courses are about learning to make sure things are done properly. I already have a work background in machine work, electrical and HVAC, so this will give me another area of expertise. I’ve been happy with the instruction at North Lake. It’s hands-on and we get to use the tools of the trade.” Read Tony Hitt's story.
A Look Inside Machining at Dallas College
Narrator
Want to be in demand? Check out a high-tech career in precision machining at Dallas College.
Alex Rendleman - Student
Holy cow, look at all these awesome machines. Look at all this crazy stuff they're making.
Larissa Garcia - Student
Seeing all the machines, I got very excited.
Alex Rendleman - Student
I want to be a part of this. This is exactly what I want to do with my life.
Brian Fleming - Instructor
You're taking a square piece of aluminum or steel, and we mold it into a part, like parts on cars, on airplanes. And you made it and chips are flying. It's cool!
Alex Rendleman - Student
Some of the tolerances were within the width of 1/60th of a human hair. Me as a student on my second semester, I was still able to nail that stuff, and that was awesome to me!
Craig Van Hamersveld - Instructor
Dallas Fort Worth is the most diverse manufacturing area in Texas. We run the gamut from aerospace to medical. Petroleum. The windmills that everybody talks about. Some of the products made here in town are for SpaceX, NASA. You name it. We have it in this area.
Larissa Garcia - Student
I think this is a good career because you have a lot of job opportunities.
Brian Fleming - Instructor
Once the student completes the program, we have employees waiting to hire them.
Craig Van Hamersveld - Instructor
We get calls all the time. Who do you have? Who do you have?
Brian Fleming - Instructor
Employers come here and interview.
Kyle Kinney - Garland Service Company
The students that we've had from Dallas College have done a great job. They come prepared. They know what to do. They get the job done, and we will take as many candidates as we have capacity for.
Cole Moorman - Graduate
Once I graduated, got this job, it totally turned my life around. My quality of life has really increased.
Cesar Perez - Student
I feel confident. I know what I'm doing. Sometimes at my job I have the opportunity to train other people and they come to me for help. I feel like I found where I'm supposed to be.
Narrator
For more information, visit our website and begin your journey at Dallas College.
Find Out More About Machining Technology
Sign up to receive additional information about Machining Technology or call 972-669-6400.
School of Manufacturing and Industrial Technology
- 214-378-1560
- AskMIT@DallasCollege.edu
Dallas College
- 972-669-6400
- Text College to 214-978-6457
- StudentHelp@DallasCollege.edu
1Length of time is based on catalog degree plans. Prerequisites may be required, which are not included in this estimate. For most programs, full-time student status is assumed, a minimum of 12 credit hours per semester.
2Cost is based on tuition rates for program hours for Dallas County residents. The price of most required learning materials (books, software, supplies, etc.) is included with the price of tuition. Visit our Paying for College site to learn more about cost, financial aid, scholarships and more.
3Each location offers a unique combination of certificate and degree options. Not all degree and certificate offerings are available for admission/start at all campuses every semester.
4A portion of Lightcast’s data comes from O*NET Online by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. Lightcast has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.