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Engine Machinist

Engine Machinist

Types of Degrees Engine Machinist Majors Are Earning

Those studying Engine Machinist can earn degrees at several award levels.

Award Level Graduates
Certificate 70
Associate’s Degree 7

What Engine Machinist Majors Need to Know

Studies in Engine Machinist develop a specific mix of knowledge, skills, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in occupations that Engine Machinist graduates commonly enter.

Knowledge Areas

According to O*NET, a major in Engine Machinist emphasizes the following knowledge areas: Knowledge areas for Engine Machinist majors

  • Mechanical — Importance 3.9 / 5; level 4.7 / 7.
  • Production and Processing — Importance 3.4 / 5; level 3.8 / 7.
  • Customer and Personal Service — Importance 3.2 / 5; level 3.8 / 7.
  • Engineering and Technology — Importance 3.0 / 5; level 3.1 / 7.
  • Public Safety and Security — Importance 2.9 / 5; level 2.7 / 7.

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

Skills

Skills developed in a Engine Machinist program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations: Skills for Engine Machinist majors

  • Operations Monitoring — Importance 3.4 / 5; level 3.1 / 7.
  • Quality Control Analysis — Importance 3.1 / 5; level 3.2 / 7.
  • Reading Comprehension — Importance 3.1 / 5; level 3.1 / 7.
  • Critical Thinking — Importance 3 / 5; level 3 / 7.
  • Monitoring — Importance 3 / 5; level 3 / 7.

Abilities

The cognitive and physical abilities most relevant to Engine Machinist careers — again drawn from O*NET surveys of related occupations: Abilities for Engine Machinist majors

  • Arm-Hand Steadiness — Importance 3.9 / 5; level 3.1 / 7.
  • Manual Dexterity — Importance 3.6 / 5; level 3.2 / 7.
  • Finger Dexterity — Importance 3.5 / 5; level 3.2 / 7.
  • Near Vision — Importance 3.4 / 5; level 3.1 / 7.
  • Visualization — Importance 3.2 / 5; level 3.9 / 7.

Common Job Activities

Day-to-day, Engine Machinist graduates report doing:

Activity Frequency / Importance
Handling and Moving Objects 4.3 / 7
Controlling Machines and Processes 4.3 / 7
Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials 4 / 7
Performing General Physical Activities 3.9 / 7
Getting Information 3.8 / 7
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates 3.6 / 7
Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events 3.6 / 7
Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards 3.5 / 7
Making Decisions and Solving Problems 3.4 / 7
Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships 3.4 / 7

Technology Skills Used on the Job

Most frequently-cited tools used by Engine Machinist professionals:

Tool / Software Category In-Demand
Spreadsheet software Spreadsheet software
Microsoft Office software Office suite software
Dassault Systemes SolidWorks Computer aided design CAD software
Computer aided design and drafting CADD software Computer aided design CAD software
SAP software Enterprise resource planning ERP software
Microsoft Excel Spreadsheet software
Word processing software Word processing software
Microsoft Word Word processing software

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

Sample Job Titles

Real job postings for Engine Machinist graduates include:

  • Product Assembler
  • Jet Engine Assembler
  • Transmission Rebuilder
  • Machine Builder
  • Dyno Technician (Dynamometer Technician)
  • Assembling Motor Builder
  • Steam Turbine Assembler
  • Engine Cowling Installer
  • Turbine Assembler
  • Electromechanical Assembler
  • Mechanical Assembler
  • Tractor Engine Assembler
  • Large Engine Assembler
  • Aircraft Engine Assembler
  • Truck Transmission Builder

Education Typically Required

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

Education Level Share of Workers
High school diploma or equivalent 64.0%
Postsecondary certificate 12.9%
Less than a high school diploma 11.2%
Master’s degree 7.2%
Some college courses 4.7%
Education levels for Engine Machinist majors

Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*

Who Is Earning a Degree in Engine Machinist?

Gender Distribution

This field skews predominantly male, with men earning 97.4% of Engine Machinist degrees.

Gender Graduates Share
Women 2 2.6%
Men 75 97.4%

Racial-Ethnic Diversity

At the national level, the racial-ethnic distribution of Engine Machinist graduates is as follows:

Racial-ethnic diversity of Engine Machinist graduates
Race / Ethnicity Graduates Share
White 48 62.3%
Asian 1 1.3%
Hispanic or Latino 18 23.4%
Black or African American 8 10.4%
American Indian / Alaska Native 1 1.3%
Two or More Races 1 1.3%

See minority definition below.

How Much Do Engine Machinist Graduates Earn?

The U.S. Department of Education tracks median earnings of Engine Machinist 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 $37,744
4 years $43,612
5 years $49,558

By year 5 out, median earnings rise to $49,558 — roughly 31% above the 1-year mark.

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

Is a Degree in Engine Machinist Worth It?

Strictly by the federal earnings tracker, Engine Machinist graduates earn a median of $43,612 four years after completion — roughly 15% above the national median for workers with only a high school diploma (~$38,000).

4-year median earnings vs national baseline for Engine Machinist

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.

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

Program CIP Code
Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technology/Technician, General 47.06
Aircraft Powerplant Technology/Technician 47.0608
Airframe Mechanics and Aircraft Maintenance Technology/Technician 47.0607
Alternative Fuel Vehicle Technology/Technician 47.0614
Autobody/Collision and Repair Technology/Technician 47.0603
Automobile/Automotive Mechanics Technology/Technician 47.0604
Avionics Maintenance Technology/Technician 47.0609
Bicycle Mechanics and Repair Technology/Technician 47.0610
Diesel Mechanics Technology/Technician 47.0605
High Performance and Custom Engine Technician/Mechanic 47.0617
Marine Maintenance/Fitter and Ship Repair Technology/Technician 47.0616
Medium/Heavy Vehicle and Truck Technology/Technician 47.0613

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.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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