What is a Machinist?
Position 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.
List of Machinist Job Duties
- Prepare working sketches for the illustration of product appearance.
- Set up, adjust, or operate basic or specialized machine tools used to perform precision machining operations.
- Machine parts to specifications, using machine tools, such as lathes, milling machines, shapers, or grinders.
- Operate equipment to verify operational efficiency.
- Advise clients about the materials being used for finished products.
- Program computers or electronic instruments, such as numerically controlled machine tools.
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Machinist Skills
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.
Operation and Control: Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
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.
Coordination: Adjusting actions in relation to others’ actions.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Types of Machinist Jobs
- Machinist A
- Lathe Machinist
- Instrument Maker and Repairer
- Experimental Machinist
- Mechanist
Is There Job Demand for Machinists?
There were about 396,200 jobs for Machinist in 2016 (in the United States). 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. The BLS estimates 40,700 yearly job openings in this field.
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.
Machinist Average Salary
The salary for Machinists ranges between about $27,050 and $65,360 a year.
Machinists who work in Alaska, Hawaii, or District of Columbia, make the highest salaries.
How much do Machinists make in different U.S. states?
| 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?
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Machinists may use on a daily basis:
- 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
- Kentech Kipware Trig Kalculator
- Mazak Mazatrol SMART CNC
- Autodesk HSMWorks
- CNC Consulting Machinists’ Calculator
Becoming a Machinist
Individuals working as a Machinist have obtained the following education levels:
How many years of work experience do I need?
Where Machinists Work
Machinists work in the following industries:
You May Also Be Interested In…
Those thinking about becoming a Machinist might also be interested in the following careers:
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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