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Machinists in Virginia

Want to work as a Machinists in Virginia? Here’s what the data says. 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 Virginia?

For a machinists working in Virginia, the typical annual salary is $60,920 per year (or about $29.29/hour).Pay can range from $44,340 at the 10th percentile to $85,030 at the 90th percentile.

Wage Statistic	Annual	Hourly
10th percentile	$44,340	$21.32
25th percentile	$49,480	$23.79
Median (50th)	$60,920	$29.29
75th percentile	$70,390	$33.84
90th percentile	$85,030	$40.88

Location quotient — how concentrated this career is in Virginia nationwide is 0.78, 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), above the Virginia median.

Employment Outlook

There are roughly 813,435 machinists across the United States. In Virginia alone, around 6,140 people work in this role. That’s higher than the typical state, which employs around 4,020 machinists.

Top Virginia Metros for Machinists

The metro areas below employ the most machinists in Virginia.

Metro Area	Number Employed	Annual Median Salary
Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC	2,650	$60,920
Richmond, VA	710	$61,440
Lynchburg, VA	640	$61,710
Roanoke, VA	350	$50,020
Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA	240	$61,970
Staunton-Stuarts Draft, VA	140	$56,530
Charlottesville, VA	50	$52,810
Harrisonburg, VA	40	$57,600

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

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

Key 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

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

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

Related occupations to 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