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Machinists

	Median Wage (USD, 2024)	Projected Job Openings (2023-2033)	Projected Growth (2023-2033)
National Statistics	$56,150	30200	1.7%
State Statistics	-	-	-
City Statistics	-	-	-

Statistics

National

State

City

State

City

$56,150

Median Wage (USD, 2023)

30200

Projected Job Openings (2023-2033)

1.7%

Projected Growth (2023-2033)

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.

Experience Requirements Overview

Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
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.

Education, Training and Experience

Required Level of Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)

Related Work Experience: Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years

On-Site or In-Plant Training: Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years

On-the-Job Training: Over 3 months, up to and including 6 months

Detailed Work Activities

Dispose of trash or waste materials.
Sort recyclable materials.
Calculate dimensions of workpieces, products, or equipment.
Measure dimensions of completed products or workpieces to verify conformance to specifications.
Operate metal or plastic forming equipment.
Maintain production or processing equipment.
Review blueprints or other instructions to determine operational methods or sequences.
Diagnose equipment malfunctions.
Advise others on ways to improve processes or products.
Operate grinding equipment.
Operate cutting equipment.
Measure dimensions of completed products or workpieces to verify conformance to specifications.
Mount attachments or tools onto production equipment.
Monitor equipment operation to ensure proper functioning.
Measure materials to mark reference points, cutting lines, or other indicators.
Draw guide lines or markings on materials or workpieces using patterns or other references.
Monitor lubrication of equipment or workpieces.
Conduct test runs of production equipment.
Operate metal or plastic forming equipment.
Mount attachments or tools onto production equipment.
Install mechanical components in production equipment.
Advise others on ways to improve processes or products.
Program equipment to perform production tasks.
Exchange information with colleagues.
Disassemble equipment for maintenance or repair.
Replace worn equipment components.
Plan production or operational procedures or sequences.
Determine metal or plastic production methods.
Prepare fabrics or materials for processing or production.
Exchange information with colleagues.
Assemble machine tools, parts, or fixtures.
Design tools, fixtures, or other devices for production equipment.
Create diagrams or blueprints for workpieces or products.
Assemble electromechanical or hydraulic systems.
Operate welding equipment.
Operate cutting equipment.
Test materials, solutions, or samples.
Conduct test runs of production equipment.

Work Values

Achievement

Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.

Working Conditions

Recognition

Relationships

Support

Independence

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 programmers 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.

Work Styles

Leadership

Job requires a willingness to lead, take charge, and offer opinions and direction.

Achievement/Effort

Persistence

Initiative

Cooperation

Concern for Others

Social Orientation

Self-Control

Stress Tolerance

Adaptability/Flexibility

Dependability

Attention to Detail

Integrity

Independence

Innovation

Analytical Thinking

Data Source: This page includes information from the O*NET 30.0 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. This page includes Employment Projections program, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

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