Machinist

    Metal Fabrication & Machining

    CIP Name: Machinist|CIP Code: 48.0501
    SOC Codes: 51-4021, 51-4022, 51-4023, 51-4031, 51-4032, 51-4033, 51-4034, 51-4035, 51-4041, 51-4081, 51-4191, 51-4192

    Apply technical knowledge and skills to plan, manufacture, assemble, test, and repair parts, mechanisms, machines, and structures in which materials are cast, formed, shaped, molded, heat treated, cut, twisted, pressed, fused, stamped or worked.

    $48K
    Median Salary
    -12.05%
    Job Growth
    3mo-2yr
    Training
    1.7K
    Jobs/Year
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    What Machinists Do

    Apply technical knowledge and skills to plan, manufacture, assemble, test, and repair parts, mechanisms, machines, and structures in which materials are cast, formed, shaped, molded, heat treated, cut, twisted, pressed, fused, stamped or worked.

    Common Tasks

    Extruding and Drawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

    • 1Measure and examine extruded products to locate defects and to check for conformance to specifications, adjusting controls as necessary to alter products.
    • 2Determine setup procedures and select machine dies and parts, according to specifications.
    • 3Start machines and set controls to regulate vacuum, air pressure, sizing rings, and temperature, and to synchronize speed of extrusion.
    • 4Reel extruded products into rolls of specified lengths and weights.
    • 5Install dies, machine screws, and sizing rings on machines that extrude thermoplastic or metal materials.

    Types of Machinists

    Equipment TechnicianExtruder OperatorExtrusion OperatorExtrusion Press OperatorMachine OperatorMetal InspectorSetup OperatorWire Mill OperatorWire Mill RoverBlacksmithCold Header OperatorForge OperatorForge Press OperatorForgerHammer OperatorHeader Set-Up OperatorProcess TechnicianSet Up TechnicianBreakdown Mill OperatorCalender OperatorCold Mill OperatorMill OperatorRolling Mill OperatorRoughing Mill OperatorTemper Mill OperatorTube Mill OperatorWeld Mill OperatorDie SetterFabrication OperatorMachine SetterPress Brake OperatorPress OperatorPunch Press OperatorSaw OperatorSlitter OperatorBore Mill OperatorCNC Drilling Operator (Computer Numerical Control Drilling Operator)CNC Machinist (Computer Numerical Control Machinist)Drill OperatorDrill Press OperatorDrill Setup OperatorPunch OperatorRadial Drill OperatorSetup Mill OperatorCell OperatorCenterless Grinder OperatorDeburrerDie Maintenance TechnicianFinisherGrinderGrinder OperatorGrinding Machine OperatorProcess Equipment OperatorCNC Lathe Operator (Computer Numerical Control Lathe Operator)CNC Setup Operator (Computer Numerical Control Setup Operator)Lathe OperatorNumerical Control Operator (NC Operator)Screw Machine OperatorScrew Machine Tool SetterTurn OperatorCNC Licensed Mill Operator (Computer Numerical Control Licensed Mill Operator)CNC Mill Operator (Computer Numerical Control Mill Operator)CNC Mill Operator (Computerized Numerical Control Mill Operator)CNC Mill Set Up Operator (Computerized Numerical Control Mill Set Up Operator)Machine Set Up OperatorMillerMilling OperatorSetup ManCNC Machinist (Computer Numeric Controlled Machinist)CNC Machinist (Computer Numerically Controlled Machinist)Gear MachinistMachine Repair PersonMachinistMaintenance MachinistManual Lathe MachinistProduction MachinistTool Room MachinistCNC Machine Setter (Computer Numerically Controlled Machine Setter)Cell TechnicianFabrication Set-Up PersonInjection Molding TechnicianMachine TechnicianMold SetterProduction OperatorShear OperatorTooling Set-Up PersonBatch Heat Treat OperatorBurnerCoating Line WorkerFurnace OperatorHeat Treat Furnace OperatorHeat Treat OperatorHeat Treat TechnicianHeat TreaterScarf and Anneal OperatorDevelopment MechanicLayout FabricatorLayout FitterLayout InspectorLayout ManLayout MechanicLayout Technician (Layout Tech)Layout Worker

    Work Environment

    Locations

    • • Machine shops
    • • Manufacturing plants
    • • Tool-and-die and fabrication shops
    • • Aerospace and defense facilities
    • • Maintenance departments in industrial plants

    Schedule

    Most machinists work full time on a set shift, and many shops run evenings, nights, weekends, and overtime to meet production deadlines.

    Physical Demands

    Work is typically done standing and moving around machines for long periods, with frequent handling of heavy or awkward parts and tooling. Repetitive motions, bending/twisting, noise, and exposure to metal chips/coolants are common, so PPE and safe lifting matter.

    Salary & Job Outlook

    Median $47,880
    $35,370$66,477+
    Entry Level
    10th percentile
    $35,370
    Early Career
    25th percentile
    $41,142
    Median
    50th percentile
    $47,880
    Experienced
    75th percentile
    $57,283
    Top Earners
    90th percentile
    $66,477+

    National Employment: 831,100 jobs

    Top Paying States

    DC$102KHawaii$77KWashington$62KAlaska$60KNorth Dakota$58K

    Why Demand May Grow

    Demand can rise as manufacturers need precision parts for aerospace, medical devices, energy, and defense work. Retirements and the need to maintain and repair existing industrial equipment can also create steady openings.

    Skills You'll Need

    Blueprint reading and GD&T basicsPrecision measurement (micrometers, calipers, gauges)CNC operation and basic G-code understandingMachine setup and tooling selectionMath for machining (fractions, decimals, trig basics)Attention to detail and quality mindsetMechanical aptitude and troubleshootingSafety awareness and good shop habits

    Pros & Cons

    Pros

    • • Strong hands-on work with visible results
    • • Transferable skills across many industries
    • • Good pay potential with CNC/setup skills
    • • Variety of machines and materials to learn
    • • Clear advancement to lead, setup, or programming roles

    Cons

    • • High time pressure and tight tolerances
    • • Standing all day and frequent material handling
    • • Noise, sharp edges, and safety risks around rotating equipment
    • • Some roles are repetitive production work
    • • Manufacturing employment can be cyclical
    FAQ

    Common Questions About the Machinist Trade

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