---

Machinists in Michigan

Thinking about a career as a Machinists in Michigan? Here’s what you need to know. 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. Machinists who primarily program or operate computer numerically controlled (CNC) equipment are classified in “Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators and Programmers” (51-9160).

What do Machinists Make in Michigan?

For machinists working in Michigan, the median annual wage is $49,930 per year (or about $24.01/hour).Annual wages span from $37,730 at the 10th percentile to $74,510 at the 90th percentile.

Wage Statistic	Annual	Hourly
10th percentile	$37,730	$18.14
25th percentile	$44,440	$21.36
Median (50th)	$49,930	$24.01
75th percentile	$62,140	$29.87
90th percentile	$74,510	$35.82

The location quotient — a measure of how concentrated this occupation is in Michigan relative to the national average — is 2.71, meaning that machinists are more concentrated here than the national average.

National Wage Comparison

Nationally, machinists earn a median of $58,269 per year ($28.01/hour), below the Michigan median.

Employment Outlook

National employment for 813,435 machinists in the U.S.. In Michigan alone, around 23,090 people work in this role. That puts the state above the typical state, which employs around 4,020 machinists.

Top Michigan Metros for Machinists

These are the Michigan metros with the most machinists in Michigan.

Metro Area	Number Employed	Annual Median Salary
Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI	9,560	$57,240
Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI	3,690	$49,750
Lansing-East Lansing, MI	780	$54,720
Saginaw, MI	580	$50,710
Muskegon-Norton Shores, MI	570	$46,800
Jackson, MI	550	$48,310
Kalamazoo-Portage, MI	530	$52,190
Niles, MI	520	$48,160
Ann Arbor, MI	380	$60,970
Monroe, MI	380	$64,390
Flint, MI	370	$59,450
Battle Creek, MI	320	$49,340
Traverse City, MI	280	$47,910
Bay City, MI	180	$51,260
Midland, MI	50	$52,030

Top States for Machinists Employment

View the states that employ the most machinists work.

State	Number Employed
Michigan	23,090
California	21,580
Texas	20,770
Indiana	16,510
Illinois	16,100
Pennsylvania	15,060
Minnesota	14,910
Ohio	14,110
Wisconsin	12,530
New York	8,870
North Carolina	8,310
Florida	8,240
Missouri	8,200
Massachusetts	7,870
Tennessee	7,730
Washington	6,980
Georgia	6,930
Virginia	6,140
Connecticut	6,070
Alabama	5,620

Highest-Paying States for Machinists

These states pay the most for machinists.

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

Skills

The most important machinists skills, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Knowledge Areas

Core knowledge areas for this occupation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Abilities

The abilities that matter most for machinists, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Daily Tasks

Common tasks include:

• 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.
• Fit and assemble parts to make or repair machine tools.
• Align and secure holding fixtures, cutting tools, attachments, accessories, or materials onto machines.
• Confer with numerical control programmers to check and ensure that new programs or machinery will function properly and that output will meet specifications.
• Operate equipment to verify operational efficiency.

Work Activities

• Controlling Machines and Processes
• Getting Information
• Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
• Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
• Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
• Handling and Moving Objects
• Training and Teaching Others
• Processing Information
• Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work

Tools & Technology

Technologies frequently used: Hot technologies: Autodesk AutoCAD In-demand technologies: G-code

What Major Will Prepare You For This Career?

Several college majors map to this occupation:

• Precision Metal Working

Related Careers

Other careers like machinists include:

• Calibration Technologists and Technicians
• Industrial Machinery Mechanics
• Millwrights
• Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers
• Electrical and Electronic Equipment Assemblers
• Electromechanical Equipment Assemblers

Also Known 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), CNC Mill Machinist (Computer Numerically Controlled Mill Machinist), CNC Milling Machinist (Computer Numeric Control Milling Machinist), CNC Swiss Machinist (Computer Numeric Controlled Swiss Machinist), Carbide Operator, Conventional Machinist, Development Mechanic, Electrical Experimental Mechanic.

References

• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — https://www.bls.gov/oes/
• O*NET Online — https://www.onetonline.org/
• BLS Employment Projections — https://www.bls.gov/emp/
• O*NET-SOC code: 51-4041.00