Machinists

ManufacturingO*NET 51-4041.00United States

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.

COMING SOON See related ASU learning

Median annual earnings: $58,175
Projected change: +3.8%
Typical education: High school diploma or less
Employment: 297.81K jobs

Explore this career by location

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

Showing United States

State

County

Loading available locations…

Build the skills

ASU learning related to this career

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

The work

What machinists do

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

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.
Program computers or electronic instruments, such as numerically controlled machine tools.
Set up, adjust, or operate basic or specialized machine tools used to perform precision machining operations.
Monitor the feed and speed of machines during the machining process.
Study sample parts, blueprints, drawings, or engineering information to determine methods or sequences of operations needed to fabricate products.
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.
Operate equipment to verify operational efficiency.
Confer with numerical control programmers to check and ensure that new programs or machinery will function properly and that output will meet specifications.
Evaluate machining procedures and recommend changes or modifications for improved efficiency or adaptability.
Design fixtures, tooling, or experimental parts to meet special engineering needs.
Diagnose machine tool malfunctions to determine need for adjustments or repairs.
Lay out, measure, and mark metal stock to display placement of cuts.
Confer with engineering, supervisory, or manufacturing personnel to exchange technical information.
Dispose of scrap or waste material in accordance with company policies and environmental regulations.
Separate scrap waste and related materials for reuse, recycling, or disposal.
Check work pieces to ensure that they are properly lubricated or cooled.

Pay and outlook

What the job pays and where it is heading

Annual earnings range

Reported earnings by percentile, United States

10th percentile: $38,342
25th percentile: $46,713
50th percentile: $58,175
75th percentile: $67,651
90th percentile: $81,886

The gold marker shows the median. Half earn more than $58,175 and half earn less.

Employment outlook

2025 to 2035 projection

+3.8%average or slower

2025297,809 jobs

2035 projected309,026 jobs

11,217 more 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: 49.5%
Certificate: 33.1%
Some college: 17.3%

Skills

Skills employers ask for

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

Machining
Lathes
Tooling
Micrometer
Computer Numerical Control (CNC)
Mills
Calipers
Blueprinting
CNC Machining
Machinery
Machine Setup
Grinding Machine
Blueprint Reading
Lifting Ability
Precision Measuring Instruments
CNC Milling
Technical Drawing
Machine Tools
Engineering Drawings
Hand Tools

How the work gets done

Core competencies

Broad capabilities associated with strong performance in this occupation.

Operation and Control: Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
Operations Monitoring: Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
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.
Complex Problem Solving: Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Quality Control Analysis: Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Coordination: Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
Troubleshooting: Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.
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.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
Equipment Maintenance: Performing routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed.
Social Perceptiveness: Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Repairing: Repairing machines or systems using the needed tools.
Mathematics: Using mathematics to solve problems.
Time Management: Managing one's own time and the time of others.
Active Learning: Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
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.
Instructing: Teaching others how to do something.

In the market

Job titles and employers

Recent job postings in United States

Common job titles

01CNC Machinists12,465 postings
02Machinists7,295 postings
03Manual Machinists1,781 postings
04CNC Milling Machinists1,570 postings
05CNC Lathe Machinists1,481 postings
06Machine Builders763 postings
07Lead CNC Machinists750 postings
08CNC Swiss Machinists592 postings
09Outside Machinists425 postings
10CNC Mill/Lathe Machinists349 postings
11CNC Set Up Operators319 postings
12Lathe Machinists314 postings
13CNC/Manual Machinists291 postings
14CNC Set Up Machinists285 postings
15Mill Machinists276 postings
16Multi-Axis Machinists270 postings
17Swiss Machinists263 postings
18Machinist Apprentices258 postings
19Aerospace Machinists219 postings
20Horizontal Machinists187 postings

Top employers

01Aerotek5,604 postings
02GPAC739 postings
03Randstad523 postings
04ManpowerGroup445 postings
05Adecco368 postings
06Express Employment Professionals220 postings
07Staffmark215 postings
08RTX207 postings
09Kelly Services203 postings
10Precision Castparts198 postings
11Entegee169 postings
12Caterpillar166 postings
13Jobot152 postings
14Belcan151 postings
15Huntington Ingalls Industries140 postings
16Spherion Staffing130 postings
17Nesco Resource127 postings
18Parker Hannifin127 postings
19PrideStaff117 postings
20Honeywell International116 postings

Keep looking

Adhesive Bonding Machine Operators and Tenders

Median pay: $46,467
Employment outlook: +0.5%

Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers

Median pay: $65,331
Employment outlook: −7.4%

Appraisers and Assessors of Real Estate

Median pay: $68,507
Employment outlook: −2.3%

Appraisers of Personal and Business Property

Median pay: $68,507
Employment outlook: −2.3%