What is a Machinist?
Career 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.
Machinist Responsibilities
- Set up or operate metalworking, brazing, heat-treating, welding, or cutting equipment.
- Support metalworking projects from planning and fabrication through assembly, inspection, and testing, using knowledge of machine functions, metal properties and mathematics.
- Operate equipment to verify operational efficiency.
- Calculate dimensions or tolerances, using instruments such as micrometers or vernier calipers.
- Prepare working sketches for the illustration of product appearance.
- Install experimental parts or assemblies, such as hydraulic systems, electrical wiring, lubricants, or batteries into machines or mechanisms.
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What Skills Do You Need to Work as a Machinist?
These are the skills Machinists say are the most useful in their careers:
Operation Monitoring: Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Operation and Control: Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Other Machinist Job Titles
- Fitter
- Turret Lathe Machinist
- Machine Operator
- Lathe Machinist
- Machinist Tool and Die
Machinist Employment Estimates
In 2016, there was an estimated number of 396,200 jobs in the United States for Machinist. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 2% which is below the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 7,900 new jobs for Machinist by 2026. There will be an estimated 40,700 positions for Machinist per year.
The states with the most job growth for Machinist are Wyoming, Utah, and Arizona. Watch out if you plan on working in Vermont, Maine, or Alaska. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Salary for a Machinist
The average yearly salary of a Machinist ranges between $27,050 and $65,360.
Machinists who work in Alaska, Hawaii, or District of Columbia, make the highest salaries.
How much do Machinists make in each U.S. state?
| State | Annual Mean Salary |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $44,550 |
| Alaska | $64,220 |
| Arizona | $48,300 |
| Arkansas | $42,180 |
| California | $47,450 |
| Colorado | $48,210 |
| Connecticut | $50,540 |
| Delaware | $55,210 |
| District of Columbia | $62,950 |
| Florida | $42,060 |
| Georgia | $43,900 |
| Hawaii | $66,840 |
| Idaho | $44,610 |
| Illinois | $41,350 |
| Indiana | $44,110 |
| Iowa | $40,080 |
| Kansas | $42,370 |
| Kentucky | $43,810 |
| Louisiana | $49,160 |
| Maine | $51,040 |
| Maryland | $53,560 |
| Massachusetts | $52,700 |
| Michigan | $41,880 |
| Minnesota | $49,880 |
| Mississippi | $41,730 |
| Missouri | $46,130 |
| Montana | $45,590 |
| Nebraska | $43,360 |
| Nevada | $43,850 |
| New Hampshire | $49,060 |
| New Jersey | $50,160 |
| New Mexico | $53,930 |
| New York | $47,010 |
| North Carolina | $42,870 |
| North Dakota | $52,070 |
| Ohio | $42,910 |
| Oklahoma | $44,700 |
| Oregon | $48,930 |
| Pennsylvania | $44,290 |
| Rhode Island | $48,330 |
| South Carolina | $38,610 |
| South Dakota | $38,140 |
| Tennessee | $45,770 |
| Texas | $46,850 |
| Utah | $49,340 |
| Vermont | $44,210 |
| Virginia | $49,640 |
| Washington | $52,190 |
| West Virginia | $37,680 |
| Wisconsin | $43,150 |
| Wyoming | $52,160 |
What Tools do Machinists Use?
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Machinists:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Outlook
- SAP
- Autodesk AutoCAD
- Computer aided design CAD software
- Dassault Systemes CATIA
- Dassault Systemes SOLIDWORKS
- PTC Creo Parametric
- Computer aided manufacturing CAM software
- CNC Mastercam
- ERP software
- Vero Software SURFCAM
- EditCNC
- Hexagon Metrology PC-DMIS
- Kentech Kipware Studio
- Siemens NX
- SolidCAM
How do I Become a Machinist?
Individuals working as a Machinist have obtained the following education levels:
How Long Does it Take to Become a Machinist?
Who Employs Machinists?
The table below shows the approximate number of Machinists employed by various industries.
Other Jobs You May be Interested In
Those interested in being a Machinist may also be interested in:
References:
Image Credit: US Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class John Linzmeier via Public domain
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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