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Machinists in North Carolina
Thinking about a career as a Machinists in North Carolina? 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 North Carolina?
For machinists working in North Carolina, the median annual wage is $55,520 per year (or roughly $26.69/hour).Earnings range from $36,970 at the 10th percentile to $72,770 at the 90th percentile.
| Wage Statistic | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $36,970 | $17.77 |
| 25th percentile | $45,640 | $21.94 |
| Median (50th) | $55,520 | $26.69 |
| 75th percentile | $61,850 | $29.73 |
| 90th percentile | $72,770 | $34.99 |
Location quotient — how concentrated this career is in North Carolina relative to the national average — is 0.87, suggesting fewer machinists per worker than the national average.
National Wage Comparison
Nationally, machinists earn a median of $58,269 per year ($28.01/hour), lower than the North Carolina median.
Employment Outlook
National employment for 813,435 machinists nationwide. In North Carolina alone, about 8,310 people work in this role. That’s higher than the typical state, which employs around 4,020 machinists.
Top North Carolina Metros for Machinists
The largest metro-area employers of machinists in North Carolina.
| Metro Area | Number Employed | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | 2,560 | $59,260 |
| Asheville, NC | 700 | $47,130 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | 690 | $57,530 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | 580 | $61,040 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | 520 | $55,470 |
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC | 340 | $47,720 |
| Burlington, NC | 230 | $49,000 |
| Rocky Mount, NC | 200 | $57,630 |
| Wilmington, NC | 190 | $58,270 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | 180 | $55,460 |
| Fayetteville, NC | 110 | $62,590 |
| Goldsboro, NC | 80 | $56,480 |
| Greenville, NC | 80 | $57,720 |
| Pinehurst-Southern Pines, NC | 50 | $52,190 |
| Jacksonville, NC | 30 | $44,220 |
Top States for Machinists Employment
The table below shows the states where 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
Where machinists earn the most: 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
Key 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
Top abilities for machinists, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Daily Tasks
Day-to-day, machinists typically:
- 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
Common tools and software used in this occupation include: Hot technologies: Autodesk AutoCAD In-demand technologies: G-code
What Major Will Prepare You For This Career?
Related college programs include:
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
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