Occupation · SOC 51-4041
Machinists
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.
Median wage
$56,150
$38,100–$78,760
Projected growth
+0.0%
Slower than average
Annual openings
—
per year
Employed (US)
298,790
Job Zone 3
Typical preparation
Medium preparation
Stackable credential programs
476 mapped
Core skills
Operation and ControlCritical ThinkingMonitoringOperations MonitoringActive ListeningSpeakingCoordinationComplex Problem Solving
Knowledge areas
MathematicsMechanicalProduction and ProcessingDesign
Technology & tools
Computer aided design CAD softwareAnalytical or scientific softwareComputer aided manufacturing CAM softwareIndustrial control softwareEnterprise resource planning ERP software
Representative tasks
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.Fit and assemble parts to make or repair machine tools.Align and secure holding fixtures, cutting tools, attachments, accessories, or materials onto machines.Confer with numerical control programrs to check and ensure that new programs or machinery will function properly and that output will meet specifications.Operate equipment to verify operational efficiency.Evaluate machining procedures and recommend changes or modifications for improved efficiency or adaptability.Diagnose machine tool malfunctions to determine need for adjustments or repairs.Design fixtures, tooling, or experimental parts to meet special engineering needs.Dispose of scrap or waste material in accordance with company policies and environmental regulations.Confer with engineering, supervisory, or manufacturing personnel to exchange technical information.Lay out, measure, and mark metal stock to display placement of cuts.Separate scrap waste and related materials for reuse, recycling, or disposal.Check work pieces to ensure that they are properly lubricated or cooled.Support metalworking projects from planning and fabrication through assembly, inspection, and testing, using knowledge of machine functions, metal properties, and mathematics.Install repaired parts into equipment or install new equipment.Dismantle machines or equipment, using hand tools or power tools to examine parts for defects and replace defective parts where needed.Test experimental models under simulated operating conditions, for purposes such as development, standardization, or feasibility of design.Set up or operate metalworking, brazing, heat-treating, welding, or cutting equipment.Prepare working sketches for the illustration of product appearance.Establish work procedures for fabricating new structural products, using a variety of metalworking machines.Install experimental parts or assemblies, such as hydraulic systems, electrical wiring, lubricants, or batteries into machines or mechanisms.Advise clients about the materials being used for finished products.
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Precision measuring instruments such as micrometers and vernier calipers — identify and handle under direct supervision on the shop floor to support basic dimensional checks.Blueprint and engineering drawing fundamentals — interpret basic views and title-block tolerances under technician guidance before beginning a machining operation.Manual lathe and milling machine controls — operate under close direction to produce simple turned or milled features on soft metals within stated tolerances.Machine feed and speed tables — read and apply manufacturer-recommended settings under supervisor instruction during initial production runs.Completed workpieces — measure and compare against a go/no-go gauge or dimension sheet under supervision to identify obvious out-of-tolerance conditions.Cutting tools and tool holders — select and mount following a written setup sheet under journeyman oversight in a vocational or apprenticeship lab setting.Basic shop mathematics including fractions, decimals, and unit conversions — apply to calculate simple part dimensions from a drawing with guidance from a senior machinist.Machine tool lubrication and daily cleaning routines — carry out according to posted maintenance schedules to support proper operational condition of shop equipment.CNC machine control panel — navigate basic functions such as homing, tool offsets, and cycle start under direct instruction during introductory CNC training.Active listening and clarifying questions — use when receiving verbal or written job instructions from a supervisor to ensure correct setup before cutting begins.
developing
Vernier calipers, micrometers, and dial indicators — apply routinely and independently to calculate and verify dimensions and tolerances on completed parts in a mid-volume production environment.Manual lathes, milling machines, and surface grinders — set up and operate with minimal oversight to machine parts to drawing specifications across a range of ferrous and non-ferrous materials.Feed rate, spindle speed, and depth-of-cut parameters — monitor and adjust during active machining cycles to maintain surface finish and hold tolerances within ±0.001 inch.CAM software such as Mastercam or Fusion 360 — generate or modify basic toolpaths for two- and three-axis CNC operations from existing CAD geometry in a production shop.Sample parts and multi-view engineering drawings — study independently to determine operation sequences and fixturing requirements before setting up a new job.CNC turning and machining centers — program conversational or G-code routines for familiar part families and verify dry-run execution before live cutting.In-process quality checks — perform at defined inspection intervals using precision instruments to detect and flag deviations before they become nonconforming finished parts.Machine tool preventive maintenance tasks including coolant checks, way lubrication, and filter replacement — complete on schedule to minimize unplanned downtime.Troubleshooting common machining defects such as chatter, tool deflection, and poor surface finish — diagnose cause and apply corrective action using deductive reasoning and production experience.Job travelers and ERP work-order records — update accurately after each operation to support accurate production tracking in a manufacturing facility.
proficient
Complex multi-setup machining sequences — plan and execute autonomously on lathes, mills, and grinders to fabricate tight-tolerance parts from detailed engineering packages without supervisor intervention.Full GD&T callouts including true position, runout, and profile tolerances — interpret and verify on finished components using CMM or precision hand tools in a precision-parts production environment.Non-routine machining challenges such as exotic alloys, thin-walled sections, or interrupted cuts — analyze root cause and implement corrective tooling or parameter strategies independently.CAD/CAM software — develop multi-axis toolpaths, select appropriate cutting strategies, and post-process proven programs for introduction into a live CNC production cell.First-article inspection reports — lead preparation by measuring all drawing-controlled features and documenting results to satisfy customer or AS9100/ISO 9001 quality requirements.Process improvement opportunities including cycle-time reduction and scrap elimination — identify and implement through critical thinking and analysis of production data in a mid-size machine shop.Machine tool alignment, tramming, and geometric accuracy checks — perform and document to maintain equipment within specification across a multi-machine department.Unfamiliar part geometries and ambiguous drawing notes — resolve by coordinating directly with engineers or customers and proposing feasible machining approaches.Control precision and arm-hand steadiness — apply consistently during delicate hand-grinding, deburring, or fitting operations on close-tolerance assemblies.Junior machinists and apprentices — guide informally on setup techniques, measurement methods, and safe machine operation during daily production activities.
advanced
Departmental machining standards, work instructions, and process control plans — author and maintain to govern quality, safety, and throughput across all CNC and manual operations in the facility.Capital equipment evaluation and selection — lead by benchmarking machine tool specifications, justifying investment to management, and overseeing installation and qualification of new equipment.Apprentice and mid-level machinist development programs — design and deliver structured on-the-job training curricula aligned with industry certifications and shop competency frameworks.Complex or high-value component failures — direct root-cause investigations by applying advanced troubleshooting methodologies and coordinating cross-functional teams including engineering and quality.Facility-wide CNC programming standards including tooling libraries, offset protocols, and post-processor configurations — establish and enforce to ensure consistent, error-free production across all machine platforms.Long-range capacity and workflow planning — oversee by analyzing ERP scheduling data, identifying bottlenecks, and recommending staffing or equipment solutions to operations leadership.Customer and supplier technical negotiations — represent the machining function by interpreting engineering requirements, communicating manufacturing constraints, and reaching feasible specification agreements.Continuous improvement initiatives targeting OEE, first-pass yield, and scrap rate — champion using data-driven analysis and structured problem-solving methods across the production department.Shop-floor safety culture and OSHA compliance programs — lead by auditing practices, correcting hazards, and reinforcing risk-aware behaviors among all production personnel.Technology adoption roadmaps including CAM upgrades, automation integration, and Industry 4.0 tooling — define and drive at the organizational level to position the shop for long-term competitive capability.
Also known as
142 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Thermometer MakerFixed-Wing Aircraft Safety Equipment Mechanic, KC-130/V-22 (Marine Corps 6286)Precision MachinistFixed-Wing Aircraft Airframe Mechanic-Trainee (Marine Corps 6251)Weapons and Tactics Crew Chief Instructor (Marine Corps 6177)Test TechnicianCNC Machinist (Computer Numeric Controlled Machinist)Fixed-Wing Aircraft Mechanic, AV-8/TAV-8 (Marine Corps 6212)Metal Worker (Marine Corps 1316)Helicopter Airframe Mechanic, CH-53 (Marine Corps 6153)Fixed-Wing Aircraft Safety Equipment Mechanic-Trainee (Marine Corps 6281)Machinist, AutomotiveCarbide OperatorOutside Ship MachinistExperimental Mechanic, ElectricalTurret Lathe MachinistInstrument Maker and RepairerEnlisted Aircrew/Aerial Observer/Gunner (Marine Corps 6199)Manual Lathe MachinistAircraft Structural Maintenance Helper (Air Force 2A713)Electrical MachinistAircraft Structural Maintenance Journeyman (Air Force 2A753)Experimental MechanicFixed-Wing Aircraft Mechanic, F/A-18 (Marine Corps 6217)Conventional MachinistHelicopter/Tiltrotor Dynamic Components Mechanic (Marine Corps 6132)Fixed-Wing Aircraft Loadmaster, C-40A (Marine Corps 6140)Aircraft Structural Maintenance Apprentice (Air Force 2A733)VH-92 Presidential Helicopter Crew Chief (Marine Corps 6181)MachinistAircraft Intermediate Level Hydraulic/Pneumatic Mechanic (Marine Corps 6062)Tool and Die MachinistFixed-Wing Aircraft Mechanic, KC-130 (Marine Corps 6216)Fixed-Wing Aircraft Power Plants Mechanic, F-404 (Marine Corps 6227)Auto Machinist (Automotive Machinist)Fixed-Wing Aircraft Power Plants Mechanic, J-52 (Marine Corps 6223)Aircraft Structural Repairer (Army 15G)Toolroom MachinistMechanistFixed-Wing Aircraft Safety Equipment Mechanic, F/A-18 (Marine Corps 6287)