Machinists
Machinists set up and operate machine tools to produce precision metal parts and instruments. They may fabricate, modify, or repair mechanical instruments and machine tools themselves. Work takes place in manufacturing facilities, machine shops, and industrial settings where precision and accuracy are essential.
Four short assessments and your background, scored against machinists and 13,000 other careers — with the reasons. Free.
A day in the work
A machinist's week involves reading blueprints, setting up machines like lathes and mills, and running production jobs. Tasks include measuring finished parts with calipers or micrometers to ensure they meet specifications, making adjustments to machines, and troubleshooting when tolerances are off. Some time goes to routine maintenance of equipment and documentation of completed work.
Who this work suits
Holland code RCI. Realistic work is hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors. Aptly’s interest assessment scores you on the same six scales.
You likely enjoy concrete, hands-on problem-solving and working with machinery and tools. You prefer following established procedures and producing measurable results, and you're detail-oriented enough to catch when a part is off by a thousandth of an inch.
What it takes
Preparation: Medium preparation (vocational training, an associate degree, or related experience). Most people in this occupation hold a certificate or training program.
Skills that matter most
Knowledge areas
Who is hiring
Openings right now
- TITLE 32 MACHINIST WG-3414-11 · Air National Guard Units · Charleston, West Virginia · $32.57–$38
- Machinist Leader · Army Tank-Automotive and Armament Command (TACOM) · Anniston Army Depot, Alabama · $35.79–$41.75
- MACHINIST SUPERVISOR I · United States Fleet Forces Command · Kittery, Maine · $48.99–$57.15
- Machinist (Title 32) (Permanent) · Air National Guard Units · Langley AFB, Virginia · $42.29–$49.3
- MACHINIST · Air Force Materiel Command · Hill AFB, Utah · $68433–$79807
- Machinist · U.S. Army Corps of Engineers · Marietta, Ohio · $27.69–$38
- MACHINIST (TITLE 32) · Army National Guard Units · Smyrna, Tennessee · $30.64–$35.76
Openings are read from employers’ own career pages and public job boards and change daily. Search all openings (free account) to filter by distance, pay and how well you qualify.
Pay by state
| State | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | $63,380 | $84,410 | $92,750 | 260 |
| Alaska | $63,360 | $77,670 | $96,640 | 120 |
| District of Columbia | $56,570 | $72,900 | $72,900 | 160 |
| Massachusetts | $57,690 | $67,270 | $78,640 | 7,080 |
| Washington | $58,760 | $66,160 | $80,340 | 6,880 |
| Oregon | $52,930 | $63,820 | $76,070 | 2,760 |
| New Jersey | $51,110 | $63,190 | $79,330 | 3,210 |
| Wyoming | $47,090 | $63,070 | $78,990 | 290 |
| Vermont | $47,650 | $62,680 | $78,260 | 220 |
| Delaware | $48,310 | $62,650 | $75,500 | 310 |
| Connecticut | $49,900 | $62,130 | $76,040 | 5,240 |
| North Dakota | $49,300 | $61,820 | $74,670 | 560 |
All 50 states, D.C. and Puerto Rico
Certifications people in this field hold
- Machining Level I - CNC Milling: Programming Setup & Operations — National Institute for Metalworking Skills
- Machining Level I - CNC Mill Operations — National Institute for Metalworking Skills
- Machining Level I - CNC Turning: Operations — National Institute for Metalworking Skills
- Machining Level I - Turning I (Chucking Skills) — National Institute for Metalworking Skills
- Machining Level I - Grinding I — National Institute for Metalworking Skills
- CNC Lathe Operations — National Institute for Metalworking Skills
Training
Aptly members see WIOA-approved programs, colleges and certificates near them, with completion and earnings data, on every Path plan.
Job titles in this occupation
Related occupations
Four short assessments and your background, scored against machinists and 13,000 other careers — with the reasons. Free.
O*NET-SOC 51-4041.00 · O*NET OnLine. Pay: BLS OEWS May 2025, annual, U.S. Employment counts are national.