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Machine Tool Technology

Types of Degrees Machine Tool Technology Majors Are Earning

Those studying Machine Tool Technology can earn degrees at several award levels.

Award Level	Graduates
Certificate	1,476
Associate’s Degree	714
Master’s Degree	1,254

What Machine Tool Technology Majors Need to Know

Studies in Machine Tool Technology build a specific mix of knowledge, skills, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in occupations that Machine Tool Technology graduates commonly enter.

Knowledge Areas

According to O*NET, a major in Machine Tool Technology emphasizes the following knowledge areas:

• Production and Processing — Importance 3.7 / 5; level 3.8 / 7.
• Mathematics — Importance 3.4 / 5; level 3.5 / 7.
• Mechanical — Importance 3.4 / 5; level 3.9 / 7.
• English Language — Importance 3.2 / 5; level 2.9 / 7.
• Engineering and Technology — Importance 2.9 / 5; level 3.1 / 7.

^{Importance is rated 1–5; level is 1–7. Source: ONET Online — weighted across related occupations.*}

Skills

The skill set emphasized by a Machine Tool Technology program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:

• Operations Monitoring — Importance 3.5 / 5; level 3.4 / 7.
• Operation and Control — Importance 3.4 / 5; level 3.3 / 7.
• Monitoring — Importance 3.1 / 5; level 3.1 / 7.
• Quality Control Analysis — Importance 3.1 / 5; level 3.2 / 7.
• Critical Thinking — Importance 3.0 / 5; level 3.0 / 7.

Abilities

Abilities most relevant to Machine Tool Technology careers — again drawn from O*NET surveys of related occupations:

• Near Vision — Importance 3.6 / 5; level 3.4 / 7.
• Control Precision — Importance 3.5 / 5; level 3.5 / 7.
• Arm-Hand Steadiness — Importance 3.5 / 5; level 3.2 / 7.
• Manual Dexterity — Importance 3.5 / 5; level 3.1 / 7.
• Problem Sensitivity — Importance 3.4 / 5; level 3.1 / 7.

Common Job Activities

Day-to-day, Machine Tool Technology graduates report doing:

Activity	Frequency / Importance
Controlling Machines and Processes	4.4 / 7
Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials	4.0 / 7
Getting Information	4.0 / 7
Handling and Moving Objects	3.9 / 7
Making Decisions and Solving Problems	3.9 / 7
Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings	3.9 / 7
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates	3.8 / 7
Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events	3.8 / 7
Performing General Physical Activities	3.6 / 7
Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards	3.5 / 7

Technology Skills Used on the Job

Most frequently-cited tools used by Machine Tool Technology professionals:

Tool / Software	Category	In-Demand
Microsoft Office software	Office suite software	—
Microsoft Excel	Spreadsheet software	—
Microsoft Word	Word processing software	✓
Autodesk AutoCAD	Computer aided design CAD software	—
SAP software	Enterprise resource planning ERP software	—
Microsoft PowerPoint	Presentation software	—
G-code	Object or component oriented development software	✓
Microsoft Outlook	Electronic mail software	—
Inventory tracking software	Inventory management software	—
Mastercam computer-aided design and manufacturing software	Computer aided manufacturing CAM software	✓
EditCNC	Industrial control software	—
M-code	Object or component oriented development software	—

^{Source: ONET Online technology skills, weighted across related occupations.*}

Sample Job Titles

Real job postings for Machine Tool Technology graduates include:

• Machine Operator
• Manufacturing Operator
• Manufacturing Associate
• Setup Operator
• Machine Set Up Operator
• Fixture Maker
• Hobbing Press Operator
• Lathe Winder
• Tool Setter
• Development Mechanic
• Stretch Machine Operator
• Mill Operator
• Rolling Mill Operator
• Milling Operator
• Broacher

Education Typically Required

Across the occupations open to Machine Tool Technology graduates, the typical level of education actually held by current workers is distributed as:

Education Level	Share of Workers
High school diploma or equivalent	59.1%
Postsecondary certificate	13.9%
Less than a high school diploma	10.6%
Some college courses	10.4%
Bachelor’s degree	3.1%
Associate’s degree (or other 2-year)	1.7%
First professional degree	1.1%

^{Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*}

Who Is Earning a Degree in Machine Tool Technology?

Gender Distribution

This field skews predominantly male, with men earning 92.7% of Machine Tool Technology degrees.

Gender	Graduates	Share
Women	260	7.3%
Men	3,279	92.7%

Racial-Ethnic Diversity

At the national level, the racial-ethnic distribution of Machine Tool Technology graduates is as follows:

Race / Ethnicity	Graduates	Share
White	2,222	62.8%
Asian	180	5.1%
Hispanic or Latino	617	17.4%
Black or African American	156	4.4%
American Indian / Alaska Native	60	1.7%
Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander	2	0.1%
Two or More Races	148	4.2%
Race Unknown	142	4.0%
International Students	12	0.3%

^{See minority definition below.}

How Much Do Machine Tool Technology Graduates Earn?

Federal data tracks median earnings of Machine Tool Technology graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Wages typically rise steadily as graduates gain experience and move into mid-career roles.

Years Out	Median Earnings
1 year	$33,800
4 years	$39,416
5 years	$44,203

By year 5 out, median earnings rise to $44,203 — roughly 31% above the 1-year mark.

^{Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.}

Is a Degree in Machine Tool Technology Worth It?

Looking purely at the federal earnings tracker, Machine Tool Technology graduates earn a median of $39,416 four years after completion — roughly 4% above the national median for workers with only a high school diploma (~$38,000).

^{ROI estimate compares the program’s 4-yr median earnings against the 2023 BLS CPS median earnings for high-school-only workers. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard + BLS Current Population Survey.}

Related Programs

You may also be interested in these closely related fields of study:

Program	Annual Degrees Awarded
Precision Metal Working	67,063
Welding Technology/Welder	57,768
Computer Numerically Controlled (CNC) Machinist Technology/CNC Machinist	2,174
Machine Shop Technology/Assistant	1,634
Metal Fabricator	552
Tool and Die Technology/Technician	509
Sheet Metal Technology/Sheetworking	386
Precision Metal Working, Other	340
Ironworking/Ironworker	161

References

The racial-ethnic minorities count is calculated by taking the total number of students and subtracting white students and international students. This number is then divided by the total number of students to obtain the racial-ethnic minorities percentage.

• College Factual
• National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS)
• O*NET Online
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
• U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard

More about our data sources and methodologies.