Machine Shop Technology Degree

A Machine Shop Technology student will get the academic and pragmatic concepts required to plan, fabricate, assemble, and manufacture products along with the ability to repair parts, machines, structures, and mechanisms. Get more details below including other Washington colleges that offer machine shop technology degrees.

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Lower Columbia College

11605 132nd Ave NE, Kirkland, WA

Lower Columbia College, located in Longview, Washington, is a public, two year institution founded in 1934 when it was known as Lowe Columbia Junior College. Students originally registered for courses through local businesses in various cities with classes held at R.A. Long High School. Over the years the college grew in size and enrollment, eventually getting its own campus and permanent home. The school became a community college in 1961 and joined the state supported Washington Community and Technical College System in 1967.

Academics

As a comprehensive community college, LCC offers a variety of courses aimed at academic transfer or career development. Academic transfer programs allow students to complete the first two years of a college education, followed by applying for transfer to a four year institution to continue one's education and earn a bachelor's degree. Career training programs assist students in receiving an education in a given are or field with the intention of seeking employment in that field upon graduation. Programs take between one and two years to complete and confer a certificate or degree upon completion.

Programs offered include:

• Accounting
• Anthropology
• Business
• Criminal Justice
• Political Science

Admissions and Financial Aid

Lower Columbia College is a public, two year institution that maintains an open enrollment policy that admits any individual who meets the minimum requirements. Students must submit an application, provide transcripts and test scores, and pay all associated fees, and may be required to take a placement exam prior to registration. Financial aid is available in the form of loans, grants and scholarships which are awarded based on need as determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Career Options for Graduates

Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters

Description

Fabricate, position, align, and fit parts of structural metal products.

Computer-Controlled Machine Tool Operators, Metal and Plastic

Description

Operate computer-controlled machines or robots to perform one or more machine functions on metal or plastic work pieces.

Career Outlook & Projections ()

According to the BLS, computer-controlled machine tool operators, metal and plastic employment is expected to grow at a rate of 17.5% from 2014 to 2024

Salary & Wages

• Seattle-Bellevue-Everett, WA Metropolitan Division
  • Total Employment: 1
  • Average Hourly Rate: $28.49
  • Average Annual Salary: $59260

Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

Description

Set up, operate, or tend grinding and related tools that remove excess material or burrs from surfaces, sharpen edges or corners, or buff, hone, or polish metal or plastic work pieces.

Career Outlook & Projections ()

According to the BLS, grinding, lapping, polishing, and buffing machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic employment is expected to shrink at a rate of -21.9% from 2014 to 2024

Salary & Wages

• Seattle-Bellevue-Everett, WA Metropolitan Division
  • Total Employment: 580
  • Average Hourly Rate: $17.86
  • Average Annual Salary: $37140
• Tacoma-Lakewood, WA Metropolitan Division
  • Total Employment: 50
  • Average Hourly Rate: $20.49
  • Average Annual Salary: $42620

Machinists

Description

Set up and operate a variety of machine tools to produce precision parts and instruments. 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.

Career Outlook & Projections ()

According to the BLS, machinists employment is expected to grow at a rate of 9.8% from 2014 to 2024

Salary & Wages

• Seattle-Bellevue-Everett, WA Metropolitan Division
  • Total Employment: 5
  • Average Hourly Rate: $24.60
  • Average Annual Salary: $51180
• Tacoma-Lakewood, WA Metropolitan Division
  • Total Employment: 700
  • Average Hourly Rate: $26.56
  • Average Annual Salary: $55240

Source: Job descriptions, estimated salary and wages, and projected job growth are taken from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).