i have an employee relocating this fall, with her husband who is a soldier, to the Death Valley area. she is going to be seeking work as a CNC operator/programmer/setup person.

1. what is the job market in that area like (if there is any)
2. if there is a job market for this type of work, what is the pay scale for her (she has about 8-10 years of experience-mostly on mazak/mazatrol.

any input would be helpful.

thanks.

Where exactly in the "Death Valley" area is this? The valley is a National Monument (or park) and not a place I'd like to be in the summer (lowest elevation in the U.S.). There are only a few small communtities in the area....I believe Keeler is one.....and they're primarily rural. I'd suggest a Google search using Death Valley for the search words. If you can pull up a map of the surrounding area and note the towns, a further search should give you demographics. Using the words "Death Valley real estate" should bring up some interesting info as well.

I live in the far northern part of California, but drove through the area years ago. It is appropriately named as the temperature on a cloud covered spring day was well over 100 degrees. Names like "Furnace Creek", "Stovepipe Wells", "Dead Horse Canyon" and "Greenwater" should give you an idea of what the area's like. Minerals were mined there at the turn of the century and reading accounts of the old mining camps will make you realize just how hardy people can be!

Now, my info is several years old so I'd suggest a thorough search of the area.

Not trying to discourage you at all, but do your homework carefully.

do you know where the army base is in that area? that is where she will be moving. she said she would be willing to drive an hour. thanks.

Fort Irwin, now the national desert training center, is immediately south of Death Valley National Monument. Barstow Marine Base is in the area also. If she is going to live on post at Fort Irwin, it is at least a half hour drive to Barstow if my memory serves me correctly.
My last duty station was as the Post Surgeon at Ft. Irwin but that was over 30 years ago.

I am about 70 miles south of Barstow and if she would be staying at Ft Irwin there probably isn't one machine shop within 60 miles. To get work she would have to drive to Ontario\Riverside\San Bernardino area and that is 100-120 miles from Ft Irwin. The area Ft Irwin is in is basically a barren desert. The nearest real town, Barstow 40 miles away has only 20,000 people and no industry. This area also has 20% unemployment, sorry but job prospects don't look good.

Two places she should try.
The contractors on base at fort Irwin.
IAP Worldwide Services
Army National Training Center Jobs in Fort Irwin, CA 92310 | Indeed.com
and Marine Corps Logistics Base Barstow.
Maintenance Center Barstow Welcome Aboard
Fort Irwin/MCLB Barstow | MCLB Barstow - Local Area
Marine base expansion to create up to 600 new jobs | jobs, marine, barstow - Top Story - Desert Dispatch

Both have large equipment maintenance facilities.
She may not find a cnc job but there will be a lot of jobs needing skilled people.
How good are her skills using measuring tools and manual machining.
does she want to learn a second trade.

In most cases dependents are a priority hire on military bases.
even with contractors.

Wouldn't the Naval Weapons Center at China Lake (Rigdgecrest) use local cnc contractors to make those Sidewinder missiles etc? Wondering if any machine shops in Ridgecrest? I lived in Ridgecrest as a Navy Dependent in 1968-70.
Brett