Find Trade Colleges
Machinists: Job Description
Set up and operate a variety of machine tools to produce precision parts and instruments out of metal. 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.
The Daily Work of Machinists Perform?
Typical responsibilities of machinists span:
- Calculate dimensions or tolerances, using instruments, such as micrometers or vernier calipers.
- Machine parts to specifications, using machine tools, such as lathes, milling machines, shapers, or grinders.
- Measure, examine, or test completed units to check for defects and ensure conformance to specifications, using precision instruments, such as micrometers.
- Set up, adjust, or operate basic or specialized machine tools used to perform precision machining operations.
- Program computers or electronic instruments, such as numerically controlled machine tools.
- Study sample parts, blueprints, drawings, or engineering information to determine methods or sequences of operations needed to fabricate products.
- Monitor the feed and speed of machines during the machining process.
- Maintain machine tools in proper operational condition.
Skills and Knowledge
Top machinists rely on a mix of skills and domain knowledge.
Most Important Skills
The competencies that matter most in this role, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Top Knowledge Areas
Related Job Titles
People in this occupation may also be known by titles such as:
- Aircraft Machinist
- Auto Machinist (Automotive Machinist)
- CNC Lathe Machinist (Computer Numeric Controlled Lathe Machinist)
- CNC Lathe Machinist (Computer Numerically Controlled Lathe Machinist)
- CNC Machinist (Computer Numeric Controlled Machinist)
- CNC Machinist (Computer Numerical Control Machinist)
- CNC Machinist (Computer Numerically Controlled Machinist)
- CNC Mill Machinist (Computer Numeric Controlled Mill Machinist)
Employment and Demand
There are roughly 813,435 machinists working in the United States today. Demand is forecast to grow by +1.7% over the projection horizon.
Machinists Pay
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Annual median | $58,269 |
| Hourly median | $28.01 |
| 10th percentile | $39,398 |
| 25th percentile | $48,833 |
| 75th percentile | $67,704 |
| 90th percentile | $77,140 |
Compensation varies based on experience, location, and industry.
Machinists Salary by State
| State | Annual median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $101,810 |
| Hawaii | $77,060 |
| Alaska | $72,710 |
| Washington | $64,510 |
| Wyoming | $64,020 |
| Massachusetts | $62,420 |
| Oregon | $62,120 |
| New Jersey | $62,010 |
| Maine | $61,950 |
| Montana | $61,230 |
| Connecticut | $61,090 |
| Virginia | $60,920 |
| Utah | $60,450 |
| Delaware | $60,320 |
| New York | $60,220 |
| New Hampshire | $59,910 |
| Minnesota | $59,860 |
| Rhode Island | $59,490 |
| Arizona | $59,020 |
| Colorado | $58,890 |
| Louisiana | $58,710 |
| Maryland | $58,240 |
| North Dakota | $58,110 |
| Nebraska | $58,060 |
| Missouri | $57,920 |
| New Mexico | $57,520 |
| Illinois | $56,700 |
| California | $56,220 |
| Ohio | $56,200 |
| Texas | $56,040 |
| Nevada | $55,580 |
| North Carolina | $55,520 |
| Idaho | $53,760 |
| Kentucky | $53,630 |
| Iowa | $53,400 |
| Alabama | $53,320 |
| South Carolina | $53,040 |
| Pennsylvania | $52,560 |
| Wisconsin | $52,030 |
| Oklahoma | $51,980 |
| Florida | $50,570 |
| Mississippi | $50,460 |
| Michigan | $49,930 |
| South Dakota | $49,830 |
| Georgia | $49,420 |
| Vermont | $49,040 |
| Indiana | $48,910 |
| Arkansas | $48,820 |
| Tennessee | $48,610 |
| Kansas | $48,490 |
| West Virginia | $47,980 |
| Puerto Rico | $28,330 |
Pay by U.S. Region
Pay for machinists vary by region. Top regions by median wage:
| Region | Median annual wage | Share of U.S. jobs | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|
| New England | $61,310 | 6.1% | 1.36 |
| Rocky Mountains | $59,244 | 2.8% | 0.80 |
| Far Western US | $58,780 | 11.0% | 0.71 |
| Plains States | $57,103 | 11.2% | 1.89 |
| Middle Atlantic | $56,762 | 9.9% | 0.87 |
| Southwest | $56,060 | 10.3% | 0.84 |
| Southeast | $53,012 | 20.9% | 0.95 |
| Great Lakes | $52,443 | 27.5% | 2.13 |
Where the Jobs Cluster
| Metro area | State | Median annual wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bloomington, IL | IL | $81,240 | 70 |
| Florence-Muscle Shoals, AL | AL | $80,150 | 150 |
| Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA | WA | $78,580 | 320 |
| Urban Honolulu, HI | HI | $77,060 | 280 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | DC | $74,780 | 950 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | WA | $73,790 | 4,270 |
| Anchorage, AK | AK | $73,130 | 60 |
| Rome, GA | GA | $67,160 | 70 |
Industry Breakdown
The largest employers of machinists work in these industries:
| Industry | Employment | Median annual wage |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing | 249,790 | $55,590 |
| Wholesale Trade | 11,880 | $54,040 |
| Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services | 10,800 | $38,990 |
| Other Services (except Public Administration) | 7,520 | $57,520 |
| Transportation and Warehousing | 5,270 | $82,640 |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 3,990 | $64,270 |
| Construction | 1,910 | $58,400 |
| Retail Trade | 690 | $45,660 |
Machinists work in the following industries:
Software Machinists Use
- Computer aided design CAD software: Autodesk AutoCAD (hot technology)
- Computer aided manufacturing CAM software: Dassault Systemes SolidWorks (hot technology)
- Spreadsheet software: Microsoft Excel (hot technology)
- Office suite software: Microsoft Office software (hot technology)
- Electronic mail software: Microsoft Outlook (hot technology)
- Presentation software: Microsoft PowerPoint (hot technology)
- Word processing software: Microsoft Word (hot technology)
- Enterprise resource planning ERP software: SAP software (hot technology)
- Object or component oriented development software: G-code (in demand)
- Computer aided manufacturing CAM software: Mastercam computer-aided design and manufacturing software (in demand)
What the Workplace Is Like
The work environment for machinists tends to involve the following characteristics:
- Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets
- Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls
- Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
- Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
- Spend Time Standing
Getting Started in This Career
Entry-level machinists positions require a high school diploma or equivalent as the typical entry-level education. The role falls in Medium Preparation Needed (Job Zone 3), reflecting the level of preparation typically expected.
Other Careers to Consider
Similar Occupations
- Calibration Technologists and Technicians (Supplemental)
- Industrial Machinery Mechanics (Supplemental)
- Millwrights (Primary-Long)
- Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers (Primary-Long)
- Electrical and Electronic Equipment Assemblers (Supplemental)
- Electromechanical Equipment Assemblers (Supplemental)
- Engine and Other Machine Assemblers (Supplemental)
- Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters (Supplemental)
Degree Programs
Aspiring machinists often complete programs in:
Precision Production
2 programs across 1 majors
About the Data
Statistics shown above are sourced from the following authoritative sources:
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) for employment and wage data by state and industry.
- BLS Employment Projections for total employment and growth forecasts.
- O*NET (Occupational Information Network) for skills, knowledge, tasks, work activities, work context, technology, and education-zone data.
SOC code: 51-4041.00 (Machinists).
TradeCollege.org provides higher-education, college and university, degree, program, career, salary, and other helpful information to students, faculty, institutions, and other internet audiences. Presented information and data are subject to change. Inclusion on this website does not imply or represent a direct relationship with the company, school, or brand. Information, though believed correct at time of publication, may not be correct, and no warranty is provided. Contact the schools to verify any information before relying on it. Financial aid may be available for those who qualify. TradeCollege.org is a for-profit site, and the displayed options may include sponsored or recommended results, not necessarily based on your preferences.
© TradeCollege.org – All Rights Reserved.