I have seen this before on wood web.
It depends what type of employee you are looking for.... If you need an idiot than I don't see paying more than 12 but if you are looking for person that will maintain machine properly and knows his stuff not only cut program files as indicated on cut sheets and if you want that person to stick around $18-20. This is a discussion that raised a lot of controversy when some Chinese guy said that he pays his operator max. $2/hr. Conclusion: look at your needs and what type of employee you need as well if you want this person is willing to learn and capable to do so, or has something to offer that you can learn.
Intelligent individual will be an investment/ asset etc.... and will help you grow.
If you under pay he will learn as much as possible then run to you competition seeking higher wages, at this point he is trained at your expense.
On the other hand I do not know job market in your area.
100% MADE IN TEXAS! It's not part of China partner.....