Machinists: Career Profile
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.
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What Tasks Do Machinists Do?
Typical responsibilities of machinists span:
- 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.
Key Skills and Knowledge
Effective machinists rely on a mix of skills and domain knowledge.
Key Skills
The abilities that matter most in this role, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Top Knowledge Areas
Other Machinists Job Titles
This career also goes by job titles like:
- 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)
Job Outlook
The U.S. employs around 813,435 machinists working in the United States today. Employment is projected to grow by +1.7% over the projection horizon.
Salary for Machinists
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Annual median | $58,269 |
| Hourly median | $28.01 |
| 10th percentile | $39,398 |
| 25th percentile | $48,833 |
| 75th percentile | $67,704 |
| 90th percentile | $77,140 |
Wages vary widely based on experience, location, and industry.
Machinists Salary by State
| 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 |
| Connecticut | $61,090 |
| Virginia | $60,920 |
| Utah | $60,450 |
| Delaware | $60,320 |
| New York | $60,220 |
| New Hampshire | $59,910 |
| Minnesota | $59,860 |
| Rhode Island | $59,490 |
| Arizona | $59,020 |
| Colorado | $58,890 |
| Louisiana | $58,710 |
| Maryland | $58,240 |
| North Dakota | $58,110 |
| Nebraska | $58,060 |
| Missouri | $57,920 |
| New Mexico | $57,520 |
| Illinois | $56,700 |
| California | $56,220 |
| Ohio | $56,200 |
| Texas | $56,040 |
| Nevada | $55,580 |
| North Carolina | $55,520 |
| Idaho | $53,760 |
| Kentucky | $53,630 |
| Iowa | $53,400 |
| Alabama | $53,320 |
| South Carolina | $53,040 |
| Pennsylvania | $52,560 |
| Wisconsin | $52,030 |
| Oklahoma | $51,980 |
| Florida | $50,570 |
| Mississippi | $50,460 |
| Michigan | $49,930 |
| South Dakota | $49,830 |
| Georgia | $49,420 |
| Vermont | $49,040 |
| Indiana | $48,910 |
| Arkansas | $48,820 |
| Tennessee | $48,610 |
| Kansas | $48,490 |
| West Virginia | $47,980 |
| Puerto Rico | $28,330 |
Pay by U.S. Region
Pay for machinists shift depending on where you work. The following regions pay the most:
| Region | Median annual wage | Share of U.S. jobs | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|
| New England | $61,310 | 6.1% | 1.36 |
| Rocky Mountains | $59,244 | 2.8% | 0.80 |
| Far Western US | $58,780 | 11.0% | 0.71 |
| Plains States | $57,103 | 11.2% | 1.89 |
| Middle Atlantic | $56,762 | 9.9% | 0.87 |
| Southwest | $56,060 | 10.3% | 0.84 |
| Southeast | $53,012 | 20.9% | 0.95 |
| Great Lakes | $52,443 | 27.5% | 2.13 |
Top Metro Areas
| Metro area | State | Median annual wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bloomington, IL | IL | $81,240 | 70 |
| Florence-Muscle Shoals, AL | AL | $80,150 | 150 |
| Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA | WA | $78,580 | 320 |
| Urban Honolulu, HI | HI | $77,060 | 280 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | DC | $74,780 | 950 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | WA | $73,790 | 4,270 |
| Anchorage, AK | AK | $73,130 | 60 |
| Rome, GA | GA | $67,160 | 70 |
Which Industries Hire Machinists
Most machinists work in these industries:
| Industry | Employment | Median annual wage |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing | 249,790 | $55,590 |
| Wholesale Trade | 11,880 | $54,040 |
| Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services | 10,800 | $38,990 |
| Other Services (except Public Administration) | 7,520 | $57,520 |
| Transportation and Warehousing | 5,270 | $82,640 |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 3,990 | $64,270 |
| Construction | 1,910 | $58,400 |
| Retail Trade | 690 | $45,660 |
The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field work.
Tech Stack
- Computer aided design CAD software: Autodesk AutoCAD (hot technology)
- Computer aided manufacturing CAM software: Dassault Systemes SolidWorks (hot technology)
- Spreadsheet software: Microsoft Excel (hot technology)
- Office suite software: Microsoft Office software (hot technology)
- Electronic mail software: Microsoft Outlook (hot technology)
- Presentation software: Microsoft PowerPoint (hot technology)
- Word processing software: Microsoft Word (hot technology)
- Enterprise resource planning ERP software: SAP software (hot technology)
- Object or component oriented development software: G-code (in demand)
- Computer aided manufacturing CAM software: Mastercam computer-aided design and manufacturing software (in demand)
Work Environment
The on-the-job environment of machinists tends to involve the following characteristics:
- Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets
- Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls
- Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
- Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
- Spend Time Standing
Education and Training
Entry-level machinists positions require a high school diploma or equivalent as the typical entry-level education. This career aligns with Medium Preparation Needed (Job Zone 3), signaling the level of preparation typically expected.
Other Careers to Consider
Similar Occupations
- Calibration Technologists and Technicians (Supplemental)
- Industrial Machinery Mechanics (Supplemental)
- Millwrights (Primary-Long)
- Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers (Primary-Long)
- Electrical and Electronic Equipment Assemblers (Supplemental)
- Electromechanical Equipment Assemblers (Supplemental)
- Engine and Other Machine Assemblers (Supplemental)
- Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters (Supplemental)
Where to Study
Students preparing for machinists commonly pursue programs in:
Precision Production
2 programs across 1 majors
References
Statistics shown above are sourced from the following authoritative sources:
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) for employment and wage data by state and industry.
- BLS Employment Projections for total employment and growth forecasts.
- O*NET (Occupational Information Network) for skills, knowledge, tasks, work activities, work context, technology, and education-zone data.
SOC code: 51-4041.00 (Machinists).
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