Machinists

Pay and outlook

Median annual wage, May 2025

$58,750

Half earn more, half earn less

Middle half earn

$47,570 – $67,700

25th to 75th percentile

People employed, May 2025

287,050

Wage and salary jobs (OEWS)

Projected change, 2025–35

+1%

Growing slower than all jobs (0% to under 3.5%)

Openings a year (projected)

26,100

New jobs plus replacing people who leave

Typical education to enter

High school diploma or equivalent

BLS

• All figures are for the United States as a whole. Pay varies a lot by state and city.
• Wages are for everyone working in the occupation in May 2025, at every career stage. They are not starting salaries or figures for new graduates.
• Growth and openings are BLS projections for 2025–35. They are estimates, not promises. Openings include jobs that open up when people retire or change occupation, not just new jobs.

What the work involves

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.

Main 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.

Description and tasks from the O*NET® 31.0 Database.

Getting in

Typical education to enter (BLS)

High school diploma or equivalent

Training once hired: long-term on-the-job training

O*NET Job Zone 3

Medium preparation

Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.

Fields of study that lead here

From the federal CIP–SOC crosswalk, which links 2 programmes to this occupation. A link means the programme prepares people for this kind of work. It doesn't mean the programme is required, or that it's the only route.

Related careers

Related occupations from the O*NET database, in its order.

• Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators

  $50,690 median · -9.4% projected

• Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

  $52,800 median · -13.2% projected

• Tool and Die Makers

  $64,050 median · -9.2% projected

• Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

  $50,620 median · -11.3% projected

• Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers

  $68,120 median · +5.9% projected

• Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

  $47,180 median · +0.6% projected