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.
Machinists
SOC: 51-4041 O*NET: 51-4041.00
Median Salary
$56,150
per year
Job Growth
➡️ N/A
Average (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
29.5
projected jobs/year
Education Level
Vocational school, on-the-job training, or associate degree
Job Zone 3
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.
What does a Machinists do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$38,100
10th percentile
Early Career
$46,250
25th percentile
Median
$56,150
50th percentile
Experienced
$64,910
75th percentile
Top Earners
$78,760
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$38,100
25th
$46,250
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$56,150
Mean: $57,390
75th
$64,910
90th
$78,760
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $40,660 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $46,250 and $64,910
- •Salary spread is 33.2% around the median, showing moderate variation
- •Total national employment: 298,790 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Medium Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:299,500
Top Industries
Manufacturing83.6%
Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing34%
Machine Shops; Turned Product; and Screw, Nut, and Bolt Manufacturing24.7%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:0%
Annual Openings:29,500
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)299,500
Current
2034 (Projected)299,600
0%
0
Employment Change
0%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: More slowly than average
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Machinists professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 50 locations
Michigan
23,090 jobs$49,9302.71x
California
21,580 jobs$56,2200.62x
Texas
20,770 jobs$56,0400.77x
Indiana
16,510 jobs$48,9102.67x
Illinois
16,100 jobs$56,7001.37x
Pennsylvania
15,060 jobs$52,5601.29x
Minnesota
14,910 jobs$59,8602.63x
Ohio
14,110 jobs$56,2001.32x
Wisconsin
12,530 jobs$52,0302.21x
New York
8,870 jobs$60,2200.48x
North Carolina
8,310 jobs$55,5200.87x
Florida
8,240 jobs$50,5700.43x
Missouri
8,200 jobs$57,9201.45x
Massachusetts
7,870 jobs$62,4201.12x
Tennessee
7,730 jobs$48,6101.22x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024
Key Growth Factors
Standard growth expectations for this occupation
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Operation and Control
100%
#2
Monitoring
94%
#3
Operations Monitoring
86%
#4
Critical Thinking
80%
#5
Troubleshooting
74%
#6
Complex Problem Solving
66%
#7
Active Listening
60%
#8
Quality Control Analysis
54%
#9
Coordination
46%
#10
Speaking
40%
Skills Overview
Operation and Control
advanced5.0
100%
Monitoring
advanced4.7
94%
Operations Monitoring
intermediate4.3
86%
Critical Thinking
intermediate4.0
80%
Troubleshooting
intermediate3.7
74%
Complex Problem Solving
advanced3.3
66%
Active Listening
intermediate3.0
60%
Quality Control Analysis
basic2.7
54%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Operation and Control
advancedImportance100%
abilities
5.0/5.0
Monitoring
advancedImportance94%
skills
4.7/5.0
Operations Monitoring
intermediateImportance86%
skills
4.3/5.0
Critical Thinking
intermediateImportance80%
abilities
4.0/5.0
Troubleshooting
intermediateImportance74%
skills
3.7/5.0
Complex Problem Solving
advancedImportance66%
abilities
3.3/5.0
Active Listening
intermediateImportance60%
skills
3.0/5.0
Quality Control Analysis
basicImportance54%
skills
2.7/5.0
Coordination
basicImportance46%
skills
2.3/5.0
Speaking
basicImportance40%
skills
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas82%
5 shared skills
Extruding and Drawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic82%
5 shared skills
Rolling Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic82%
5 shared skills
Roof Bolters, Mining82%
5 shared skills
Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic80%
5 shared skills
Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders73%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Monitoring
Learn on the Job:
- →Quality Control Analysis
- →Active Listening
- →Complex Problem Solving
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Operations Monitoring
- ✓Monitoring
- ✓Operation and Control
- ✓Critical Thinking
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Operation and Control
- ★Critical Thinking
- ★Troubleshooting
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Machinists
Technology Intensity
Very High
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires expert digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Advanced software proficiencySystem architecture understandingAutomation and scriptingEmerging technology adaptationTechnical problem-solving
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Autodesk AutoCAD
🔥 Hot TechDassault Systemes SolidWorks
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Outlook
🔥 Hot TechSAP software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft PowerPoint
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Word
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Autodesk AutoCAD
Dassault Systemes SolidWorks
Microsoft Outlook
SAP software
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft PowerPoint
Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Word
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
MODERATE
👥
Team Orientation
SOME TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
OCCASIONAL
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
- •Can you meet moderate physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy some team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
21
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
General Responsibilities (15)Operations & Execution (2)Planning & Development (3)Documentation & Record-Keeping (1)
1
Machine parts to specifications, using machine tools, such as lathes, milling machines, shapers, or grinders.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities100% perform100%
2
Measure, examine, or test completed units to check for defects and ensure conformance to specifications, using precision instruments, such as micrometers.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities97% perform98%
3
Align and secure holding fixtures, cutting tools, attachments, accessories, or materials onto machines.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities94% perform96%
4
Monitor the feed and speed of machines during the machining process.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities91% perform94%
5
Lay out, measure, and mark metal stock to display placement of cuts.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities88% perform92%
6
Check work pieces to ensure that they are properly lubricated or cooled.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities85% perform90%
7
Operate equipment to verify operational efficiency.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Operations & Execution82% perform88%
8
Install repaired parts into equipment or install new equipment.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities79% perform86%
9
Advise clients about the materials being used for finished products.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities76% perform84%
10
Program computers or electronic instruments, such as numerically controlled machine tools.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on general responsibilities activities
- •33% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Machinists
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Machinists professionals typically have a RCI Holland code and highly value support
RRealistic
CConventional
IInvestigative
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Machinists
Attention to Detail
CriticalAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.55
Dependability
Very ImportantDependability
Importance Level4.33
Independence
Very ImportantIndependence
Importance Level4.17
Analytical Thinking
ImportantAnalytical Thinking
Importance Level3.99
Innovation
ImportantInnovation
Importance Level3.86
Cooperation
ImportantCooperation
Importance Level3.83
Complete Work Styles Profile
Attention to Detail
4.5
Dependability
4.3
Independence
4.2
Analytical Thinking
4.0
Innovation
3.9
Cooperation
3.8
Integrity
3.8
Stress Tolerance
3.8
Achievement/Effort
3.8
Initiative
3.7
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
Vocational school, on-the-job training, or associate degree
Typical duration: Varies
Preparation Level
Job Zone 3
Medium Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience required
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:Vocational school, on-the-job training, or associate degree
Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Training:
Training of more than one year
💼 Experience Requirement
Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience required
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Associate degree programs
- • Apprenticeships (1-2 years)
- • Vocational training with related experience
3
Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Associate degree programsApprenticeships (1-2 years)Vocational training with related experience
Ready to Start Your Journey?
Explore educational programs that can help you become a Machinists.
Browse Training Programs →