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Engine and Other Machine Assemblers

ManufacturingO*NET 51-2031.00United States

Construct, assemble, or rebuild machines, such as engines, turbines, and similar equipment used in such industries as construction, extraction, textiles, and paper manufacturing.

COMING SOON See related ASU learning
Median annual earnings
$53,678

50th percentile, United States

Projected change
−18.4%

2025 to 2035

Typical education
High school diploma or less

75.2% of the workforce

Employment
38.19K jobs

Growing to 31.18K by 2035

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Compare nationwide estimates with state or county job-market data.

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Build the skills

ASU learning related to this career

These courses and certificates are connected through catalog career relationships and Lightcast skill tags.

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The work

What engine and other machine assemblers do

Tasks reported for this occupation, ordered by how often they come up in the role.

  • Read and interpret assembly blueprints or specifications manuals, and plan assembly or building operations.
  • Inspect, operate, and test completed products to verify functioning, machine capabilities, or conformance to customer specifications.
  • Position or align components for assembly, manually or using hoists.
  • Set and verify parts clearances.
  • Verify conformance of parts to stock lists or blueprints, using measuring instruments such as calipers, gauges, or micrometers.
  • Fasten or install piping, fixtures, or wiring and electrical components to form assemblies or subassemblies, using hand tools, rivet guns, or welding equipment.
  • Remove rough spots and smooth surfaces to fit, trim, or clean parts, using hand tools or power tools.
  • Rework, repair, or replace damaged parts or assemblies.
  • Lay out and drill, ream, tap, or cut parts for assembly.

Pay and outlook

What the job pays and where it is heading

Annual earnings range

Reported earnings by percentile, United States

10th percentile
$38,395
25th percentile
$45,119
50th percentile
$53,678
75th percentile
$74,950
90th percentile
$77,900

The gold marker shows the median. Half earn more than $53,678 and half earn less.

Employment outlook

2025 to 2035 projection

−18.4%projected to decline
202538,189 jobs
2035 projected31,180 jobs

7,009 fewer positions over the decade, before replacement hiring.

Preparation

Education levels

What people currently working in the career hold. These are not entry requirements.

High school diploma or less
75.2%
Certificate
12.9%
Master's or Professional degree
7.2%
Some college
4.7%

Skills

Skills employers ask for

Technical skills appearing most often in job postings for this occupation.

  • Hand Tools
  • Power Tool Operation
  • Mechanical Assembly
  • Blueprinting
  • Mechanical Aptitude
  • Lifting Ability
  • Machinery
  • Electrical Wiring
  • Tape Measure
  • Calipers
  • Soldering
  • Electromechanics
  • Assembly Lines
  • Continuous Improvement Process
  • Micrometer
  • Drilling
  • Engineering Drawings
  • Machining
  • Machine Operation
  • Safety Procedures

How the work gets done

Core competencies

Broad capabilities associated with strong performance in this occupation.

Operations Monitoring
Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
Quality Control Analysis
Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
Reading Comprehension
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
Active Listening
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Monitoring
Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Critical Thinking
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
Speaking
Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Troubleshooting
Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.
Repairing
Repairing machines or systems using the needed tools.
Operation and Control
Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
Equipment Maintenance
Performing routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed.
Complex Problem Solving
Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Time Management
Managing one's own time and the time of others.
Social Perceptiveness
Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Coordination
Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
Judgment and Decision Making
Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Equipment Selection
Determining the kind of tools and equipment needed to do a job.
Active Learning
Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
Systems Analysis
Determining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect outcomes.
Writing
Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

In the market

Job titles and employers

Recent job postings in United States

Common job titles

  1. 01Mechanical Assemblers4,775 postings
  2. 02Electromechanical Assemblers724 postings
  3. 03Assemblers/Machine Operators436 postings
  4. 04Machine Assemblers284 postings
  5. 05Assemblers232 postings
  6. 06Electric Motor Mechanics113 postings
  7. 07Machine Operators/Fabricators87 postings
  8. 08Assembler Associates64 postings
  9. 09Machine Builders56 postings
  10. 10Assembly Operators51 postings
  11. 11Truck Assemblers50 postings
  12. 12Mechanical Assemblers/Technicians45 postings
  13. 13Operators42 postings
  14. 14Engine Assemblers38 postings
  15. 15Fabrication Machine Operators37 postings
  16. 16Fabricators37 postings
  17. 17Electrical/Mechanical Assemblers32 postings
  18. 18Aerospace Assemblers31 postings
  19. 19Winders26 postings
  20. 20Laser Operators24 postings

Top employers

  1. 01Aerotek2,110 postings
  2. 02ManpowerGroup152 postings
  3. 03Randstad150 postings
  4. 04RTX148 postings
  5. 05Adecco116 postings
  6. 06Kelly Services109 postings
  7. 07Express Employment Professionals78 postings
  8. 08PrideStaff59 postings
  9. 09Spherion Staffing57 postings
  10. 10Eaton Corporation56 postings
  11. 11The Davis Companies56 postings
  12. 12Serco52 postings
  13. 13ResourceMFG48 postings
  14. 14Staffmark46 postings
  15. 15Caterpillar43 postings
  16. 16Siemens39 postings
  17. 17PDS Tech37 postings
  18. 18Doherty Staffing Solutions35 postings
  19. 19Ametek34 postings
  20. 20Integrated Power Services30 postings

Keep looking

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