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Aerospace & Defense
Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman
Machinists
Machinists set up and run machine tools that cut metal parts to exact sizes, then check those parts with gauges and micrometers to catch tiny errors. The work stands out because a small mistake can ruin a part or damage a machine, so the job mixes setup, inspection, and troubleshooting. The main tradeoff is speed versus precision: employers want parts made quickly, but the job often takes long-term training to do well.
Also known as CNC MachinistManual MachinistSetup MachinistProduction MachinistPrecision Machinist
Median Salary
$56,150
Mean $57,390
U.S. Workforce
~299K
29.5K openings per year
10-Year Growth
+0%
299.5K to 299.6K
Entry Education
High school diploma or equivalent
+ None experience
What This Role Looks Like in Practice
Machinists sits in the Trades category. In practical terms, this role combines day-to-day execution, cross-team coordination, and consistent decision-making under real business constraints.
U.S. employment is currently about ~299K workers, with a median annual pay of $56,150 and roughly 29.5K openings each year. Based on BLS projections, total employment is expected to grow from 299.5 K in 2024 to 299.6K in 2034.
Most hiring paths start with High school diploma or equivalent, and employers typically expect none of related experience. Many careers in this track begin around Machine Operator and can progress toward Shop Lead or Machining Supervisor. High-value skills usually include CNC Machine Setup, Adjustment & Operation, Machine and Process Monitoring, and Blueprint Reading & Technical Drawings, paired with soft skills such as Attention to Detail, Problem Solving, and Clear Communication.
Core Responsibilities
- Read blueprints and job instructions to figure out how a part should be made.
- Set up lathes, mills, or CNC machines and choose the right tools and settings for the job.
- Watch machines while they run and make sure cutting fluid, lubrication, and cooling are working properly.
- Measure finished parts with micrometers, calipers, and gauges to make sure they meet exact specifications.
Keep exploring: more Trades careers or browse all job titles.
A Day in the Life
01 Read blueprints and job instructions to figure out how a part should be made.
02 Set up lathes, mills, or CNC machines and choose the right tools and settings for the job.
03 Watch machines while they run and make sure cutting fluid, lubrication, and cooling are working properly.
04 Measure finished parts with micrometers, calipers, and gauges to make sure they meet exact specifications.
05 Track down machine problems when a tool wears out, a part comes out wrong, or the equipment stops working smoothly.
06 Work with engineers, supervisors, and other shop staff to build fixtures, solve part issues, and confirm design changes.
Industries That Hire
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Automotive Manufacturing
Ford, General Motors, Tesla
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Medical Devices
Medtronic, Stryker, Abbott
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Industrial Equipment & Machinery
Caterpillar, John Deere, Haas Automation
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Contract Manufacturing
Jabil, Flex, Benchmark Electronics
Pros and Cons
Advantages
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The median pay is $56,150 a year, which is solid for a job that usually starts with a high school diploma and long-term on-the-job training.
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There are still about 29.5K annual openings, so even with flat growth, employers need machinists to replace people who leave or retire.
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The work is hands-on and concrete: you can see whether a part fits, runs, or fails, which appeals to people who want visible results.
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Machinists can work in many industries, from aerospace to medical devices, so the job is not tied to only one kind of company.
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The role builds durable skills in precision measurement, machine setup, and troubleshooting that can lead to lead or supervisory work.
Challenges
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Employment is projected to be almost flat, growing from about 299.5K jobs in 2024 to 299.6K in 2034, so this is not a high-growth career.
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The job usually takes long-term on-the-job training, which means it can take years before you are fully trusted with complex work.
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Many tasks are physically repetitive and can involve noise, metal chips, heavy parts, cutting fluid, and standing for long periods.
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Automation and better CNC systems can reduce the amount of routine manual machining work, which creates pressure to keep learning new equipment.
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There is a ceiling if you stay only in basic machine work; the bigger pay jumps often require moving into programming, supervision, or specialized setup work.
Career Progression
Machine Operator
0-2 years
$36K-$44K
You load material, watch basic machine cycles, and learn safe shop habits while more experienced machinists handle the hardest setups.
Setup Machinist
2-4 years
$45K-$54K
You change tools, dial in machine settings, and check the first parts carefully before a full run starts.
Machinist THIS ROLE
4-8 years
$55K-$64K
You run jobs from start to finish, hold tight tolerances, and fix routine problems without much supervision.
Senior Machinist
8-12 years
$65K-$79K
You take on complex parts, help troubleshoot tricky setups, and train newer workers on inspection and machine care.
Shop Lead or Machining Supervisor
12+ years
$80K-$95K
You coordinate schedules, check quality across multiple jobs, and keep production moving when the shop gets behind.
Education Paths
High school diploma or equivalent
This is the most common entry point, held by 35.91% of workers in this role.
Post-secondary certificate in machining or manufacturing technology
A certificate is nearly as common, held by 33.12% of workers, and it usually adds hands-on training with machine tools and inspection equipment.
Some college courses in machine tool technology or manufacturing
Some workers enter after a few college classes, and this path accounts for 17.34% of workers in the occupation.
Apprenticeship or employer-sponsored machining training
A formal apprenticeship or shop-based training program can also work if you can prove you are comfortable with precision tools and repetitive measurement.
Key Skills
Technical
CNC Machine Setup, Adjustment & Operation 56%
Machine and Process Monitoring 53%
Blueprint Reading & Technical Drawings 52%
Micrometers, Calipers & Precision Inspection Tools 50%
Machine Troubleshooting & Basic Repairs 50%
Fixtures, Tooling & Workholding 48%
Soft Skills
Attention to DetailProblem SolvingClear CommunicationTeamworkPatienceFocus Under Pressure Job Outlook and Trends
+0%
Projected growth (2024-2034)
29.5K
Annual job openings
Employment is projected to rise from 299.5K to 299.6 K over the next decade, representing 0% growth. Around 29.5 K openings per year include both newly created roles and replacement hiring from turnover.
Remote availability is currently Rare. Demand remains strongest where employers need practical domain knowledge plus modern workflow and data skills.