Machinists
What Machinists Do
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.
See full salary breakdown & percentiles →
Career Outlook
National employment outlook, 2024–2034.
- Related work experience
- None
- On-the-job training
- Long-term on-the-job training
- Self-employed
- 0.3%
Source: BLS Employment Projections — 2024-2034.
How Much Preparation Does This Take?
Job Zone 3 of 5Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
- Experience
- Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations.
- Education
- Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
- Job training
- Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
Source: O*NET Job Zones.
Key Knowledge Areas
Subject-matter areas this occupation draws on most, per O*NET.
- Mathematicsimportance 3.5/5
- Mechanicalimportance 3.3/5
- Production and Processingimportance 3.3/5
- Designimportance 3.0/5
- Engineering and Technologyimportance 2.7/5
- English Languageimportance 2.7/5
- Customer and Personal Serviceimportance 2.4/5
- Computers and Electronicsimportance 2.4/5
Work Environment
What the day-to-day work setting is like, per O*NET.
- Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets4.9/5
- Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls4.8/5
- Importance of Being Exact or Accurate4.6/5
- Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams4.5/5
- Spend Time Standing4.5/5
- Pace Determined by Speed of Equipment4.3/5
Careers With Similar Skills
Occupations whose Transferable Skills profile most closely matches this one — a mathematical comparison, not observed data about people actually moving between these careers.
- Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic92% skill match
- Computer, Automated Teller, and Office Machine Repairers92% skill match
- Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders92% skill match
- Extruding and Drawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic91% skill match
- Control and Valve Installers and Repairers, Except Mechanical Door91% skill match
- Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic90% skill match
- Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers90% skill match
- Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic90% skill match
Transferable Skills
Cross-functional skills this occupation draws on most, per O*NET — the kind that carry over to other careers.
- Operation and Controlimportance 3.3/5
- Operations Monitoringimportance 3.1/5
- Coordinationimportance 3.0/5
- Complex Problem Solvingimportance 3.0/5
- Troubleshootingimportance 3.0/5
- Quality Control Analysisimportance 3.0/5
- Social Perceptivenessimportance 2.9/5
- Equipment Maintenanceimportance 2.9/5
Software & Technologies
Tools and software used in this occupation, per O*NET.
Hot Technologies
In-Demand Technologies
Other Software Used
- 3D Printing software
- Armchair Machinist software
- Autodesk Fusion 360
- Autodesk HSMWorks
- CNC Consulting Machinists' Calculator
- CNC Mastercam
- Dassault Systemes CATIA
- ERP software
Work Style
Personal work characteristics that matter most for this occupation, per O*NET.
- Attention to Detail
- Dependability
- Cautiousness
- Achievement Orientation
- Perseverance
- Integrity
- Innovation
Career Interests
This occupation’s RIASEC interest profile, per O*NET — how strongly it fits each of the six Holland interest types.
- RealisticHigh
- ConventionalMedium
- InvestigativeMedium
- ArtisticLow
- EnterprisingLow
- SocialLow
This page includes information from the O*NET 30.3 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
Where This Career Is Most Concentrated
Metro areas where machinists make up the largest share of local employment, relative to the national average (BLS location quotient).
- 1Columbus, IN15.95× national avg
- 2Rockford, IL7.10× national avg
- 3Fond du Lac, WI6.77× national avg
- 4Jackson, MI6.25× national avg
- 5Sheboygan, WI5.03× national avg
Possible Career Moves
A computed starting point, not observed job-change data — see the full list for why each one might fit.
- Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and PlasticLateral Move
- Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and PlasticLateral Move
- Control and Valve Installers and Repairers, Except Mechanical DoorCareer Change
- Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and PlasticLateral Move
Related Education Programs
Schools that offer related fields of study, based on the NCES CIP-SOC crosswalk — not a guarantee that graduates enter this specific career.
Machine Tool Technology/Machinist
- Tulsa Welding School-Houston (Houston, TX)grads earn ~$47,367
- Tulsa Welding School-Jacksonville (Jacksonville, FL)grads earn ~$47,367
- Ivy Tech Community College (Indianapolis, IN)grads earn ~$53,579
- Front Range Community College (Westminster, CO)grads earn ~$52,873
- Tulsa Welding School-Tulsa (Tulsa, OK)grads earn ~$47,367