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Machinists in Pennsylvania
Thinking about a career as a Machinists in Pennsylvania? Below are the key facts. 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 Pennsylvania?
For a machinists working in Pennsylvania, wages run about $52,560 per year (or about $25.27/hour).Earnings range from $37,520 at the 10th percentile to $75,240 at the 90th percentile.
| Wage Statistic | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $37,520 | $18.04 |
| 25th percentile | $45,290 | $21.77 |
| Median (50th) | $52,560 | $25.27 |
| 75th percentile | $62,070 | $29.84 |
| 90th percentile | $75,240 | $36.17 |
Location quotient — how concentrated this career is in Pennsylvania relative to the national average — is 1.29, suggesting 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 Pennsylvania median.
Employment Outlook
There are roughly 813,435 machinists across the United States. In Pennsylvania alone, approximately 15,060 people work in this role. That puts the state above the typical state, which employs around 4,020 machinists.
Top Pennsylvania Metros for Machinists
These are the Pennsylvania metros with the most machinists in Pennsylvania.
| Metro Area | Number Employed | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | 3,960 | $59,500 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | 3,090 | $50,050 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | 750 | $57,370 |
| Erie, PA | 740 | $48,940 |
| Lancaster, PA | 670 | $49,390 |
| Scranton–Wilkes-Barre, PA | 620 | $49,160 |
| York-Hanover, PA | 550 | $51,550 |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA | 490 | $54,120 |
| Reading, PA | 460 | $58,240 |
| Chambersburg, PA | 330 | $49,340 |
| Lebanon, PA | 260 | $49,920 |
| State College, PA | 180 | $49,660 |
| Johnstown, PA | 150 | $49,850 |
| Altoona, PA | 120 | $51,050 |
| Gettysburg, PA | 120 | $40,760 |
| Williamsport, PA | 120 | $50,540 |
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
Key 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
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
Software and systems commonly involved: Hot technologies: Autodesk AutoCAD In-demand technologies: G-code
What Major Will Prepare You For This Career?
Programs that train for this career 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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