Machinists
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.
- O*NET-SOC code
51-4041.00 - Preparation Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
Wages
Median annual wage, U.S.$58,750
Employment, U.S.287,050
Median hourly wage$28.24
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $39,200 | $47,570 | $58,750 | $67,700 | $80,010 |
By state (51)
| State | Employment | Median annual | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 5,170 | $55,560 | 1.33 |
| Alaska | 120 | $77,670 | 0.20 |
| Arizona | 4,330 | $61,080 | 0.72 |
| Arkansas | 2,150 | $51,140 | 0.89 |
| California | 18,950 | $57,190 | 0.56 |
| Colorado | 2,800 | $60,200 | 0.53 |
| Connecticut | 5,240 | $62,130 | 1.67 |
| Delaware | 310 | $62,650 | 0.34 |
| District of Columbia | 160 | $72,900 | 0.12 |
| Florida | 8,400 | $57,140 | 0.46 |
| Georgia | 6,090 | $52,610 | 0.68 |
| Hawaii | 260 | $84,410 | 0.22 |
| Idaho | 1,070 | $58,810 | 0.68 |
| Illinois | 16,520 | $58,520 | 1.47 |
| Indiana | 14,320 | $57,800 | 2.42 |
| Iowa | 2,880 | $57,540 | 1.00 |
| Kansas | 3,870 | $51,220 | 1.46 |
| Kentucky | 6,040 | $58,660 | 1.64 |
| Louisiana | 4,640 | $61,110 | 1.30 |
| Maine | 1,780 | $59,160 | 1.50 |
| Maryland | 1,380 | $59,810 | 0.27 |
| Massachusetts | 7,080 | $67,270 | 1.05 |
| Michigan | 20,350 | $52,360 | 2.50 |
| Minnesota | 12,500 | $61,140 | 2.29 |
| Mississippi | 1,920 | $55,550 | 0.89 |
| Missouri | 8,380 | $58,710 | 1.55 |
| Montana | 630 | $60,920 | 0.67 |
| Nebraska | 1,810 | $55,860 | 0.96 |
| Nevada | 900 | $53,050 | 0.31 |
| New Hampshire | 1,620 | $61,500 | 1.29 |
| New Jersey | 3,210 | $63,190 | 0.41 |
| New Mexico | 690 | $59,440 | 0.43 |
| New York | 9,400 | $60,920 | 0.53 |
| North Carolina | 8,330 | $55,230 | 0.91 |
| North Dakota | 560 | $61,820 | 0.71 |
| Ohio | 17,110 | $57,940 | 1.67 |
| Oklahoma | 4,230 | $51,120 | 1.34 |
| Oregon | 2,760 | $63,820 | 0.76 |
| Pennsylvania | 12,380 | $57,810 | 1.11 |
| Rhode Island | 860 | $57,760 | 0.93 |
| South Carolina | 3,790 | $57,970 | 0.89 |
| South Dakota | 830 | $50,890 | 0.98 |
| Tennessee | 8,270 | $49,600 | 1.37 |
| Texas | 21,700 | $59,180 | 0.84 |
| Utah | 3,810 | $61,280 | 1.19 |
| Vermont | 220 | $62,680 | 0.40 |
| Virginia | 5,660 | $61,290 | 0.75 |
| Washington | 6,880 | $66,160 | 1.05 |
| West Virginia | 1,700 | $47,350 | 1.31 |
| Wisconsin | 12,700 | $59,110 | 2.34 |
| Wyoming | 290 | $63,070 | 0.55 |
Similar occupations
Similarity is our measure: the cosine of importance x level over all 120 O*NET skills, knowledge areas and abilities. It is not an O*NET finding. More.
Circles are the 20 most similar occupations, coloured by Job Zone. Lines join pairs where one is among the other's 10 most similar; darker lines are pairs O*NET also lists as related. Drag a circle to move it out of the way; select one to open it.
One skill away
Among the 50 occupations most similar to Machinists, those at the same Job Zone or lower, where exactly one skill rated at least 3 in importance needs a level more than 0.75 points higher (on O*NET's 0-7 level scale). Our definition. Change the thresholds.
| Occupation | Skill to build | Level gap | Similarity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rolling Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | Quality Control Analysis | 0.88 | 0.956 |
Software to learn next
Software used by at least 3 of the 20 occupations most similar to Machinists, excluding software Machinists already lists and any you named. Ranked by how many of them use it, weighted by how much more common it is among them than across all occupations (lift). Our ranking.
| Software | Similar jobs using it | Lift |
|---|---|---|
| Adobe InDesign | 3 of 20 | 1.6x |
| Adobe Illustrator | 3 of 20 | 1.4x |
| Microsoft Windows | 6 of 20 | 1.1x |
| Adobe Photoshop | 3 of 20 | 1.0x |
| Adobe Acrobat | 3 of 20 | 0.8x |
| Email software | 3 of 20 | 0.5x |
Skills
From O*NET data. Importance is rated 1 to 5 and level 0 to 7.
| Skill | Type | Importance | Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Operation and Control | Transferable skill | 3.25 | 3.38 |
| Operations Monitoring | Transferable skill | 3.12 | 3.25 |
| Critical Thinking | Essential skill | 3.12 | 3.12 |
| Monitoring | Essential skill | 3.12 | 3.12 |
| Complex Problem Solving | Transferable skill | 3.00 | 3.00 |
| Coordination | Transferable skill | 3.00 | 3.00 |
| Quality Control Analysis | Transferable skill | 3.00 | 3.00 |
| Speaking | Essential skill | 3.00 | 3.00 |
| Active Listening | Essential skill | 3.00 | 2.88 |
| Troubleshooting | Transferable skill | 3.00 | 2.88 |
| Reading Comprehension | Essential skill | 2.88 | 3.00 |
| Equipment Maintenance | Transferable skill | 2.88 | 2.88 |
| Mathematics | Essential skill | 2.88 | 2.75 |
| Repairing | Transferable skill | 2.88 | 2.75 |
| Social Perceptiveness | Transferable skill | 2.88 | 2.75 |
| Time Management | Transferable skill | 2.88 | 2.62 |
| Active Learning | Essential skill | 2.75 | 2.88 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | Transferable skill | 2.75 | 2.75 |
| Equipment Selection | Transferable skill | 2.62 | 2.62 |
| Instructing | Transferable skill | 2.50 | 2.75 |
| Writing | Essential skill | 2.50 | 2.62 |
| Installation | Transferable skill | 2.50 | 2.38 |
| Systems Evaluation | Transferable skill | 2.50 | 2.25 |
| Systems Analysis | Transferable skill | 2.50 | 2.12 |
| Negotiation | Transferable skill | 2.38 | 2.12 |
| Persuasion | Transferable skill | 2.25 | 2.12 |
| Service Orientation | Transferable skill | 2.25 | 2.12 |
| Learning Strategies | Essential skill | 2.12 | 2.38 |
| Management of Personnel Resources | Transferable skill | 2.00 | 2.00 |
| Operations Analysis | Transferable skill | 2.00 | 1.88 |
| Technology Design | Transferable skill | 1.88 | 1.88 |
| Programming | Transferable skill | 1.75 | 1.12 |
| Management of Material Resources | Transferable skill | 1.75 | 1.00 |
| Management of Financial Resources | Transferable skill | 1.62 | 0.75 |
| Science | Essential skill | 1.50 | 0.75 |
Knowledge (33) and abilities (52)
| Name | Importance | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | 3.47 | 3.54 |
| Mechanical | 3.30 | 3.90 |
| Production and Processing | 3.26 | 3.03 |
| Design | 3.01 | 3.37 |
| Engineering and Technology | 2.70 | 2.98 |
| English Language | 2.70 | 2.00 |
| Customer and Personal Service | 2.40 | 2.27 |
| Computers and Electronics | 2.37 | 2.49 |
| Education and Training | 2.22 | 2.58 |
| Physics | 2.20 | 1.85 |
| Administration and Management | 2.10 | 1.89 |
| Administrative | 2.05 | 1.46 |
| Building and Construction | 1.82 | 1.27 |
| Personnel and Human Resources | 1.79 | 1.13 |
| Transportation | 1.68 | 1.37 |
| Chemistry | 1.64 | 1.43 |
| Public Safety and Security | 1.62 | 1.09 |
| Economics and Accounting | 1.46 | not rated |
| Telecommunications | 1.43 | not rated |
| Sales and Marketing | 1.37 | not rated |
| Communications and Media | 1.35 | not rated |
| Foreign Language | 1.32 | not rated |
| Biology | 1.30 | not rated |
| Psychology | 1.30 | not rated |
| Law and Government | 1.28 | not rated |
| Sociology and Anthropology | 1.27 | not rated |
| Medicine and Dentistry | 1.25 | not rated |
| Philosophy and Theology | 1.23 | not rated |
| Fine Arts | 1.22 | not rated |
| Geography | 1.03 | not rated |
| History and Archeology | 1.03 | not rated |
| Therapy and Counseling | 1.03 | not rated |
| Food Production | 1.01 | not rated |
| Name | Importance | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Finger Dexterity | 3.62 | 3.62 |
| Arm-Hand Steadiness | 3.62 | 3.38 |
| Manual Dexterity | 3.62 | 3.12 |
| Control Precision | 3.50 | 3.75 |
| Near Vision | 3.25 | 3.50 |
| Deductive Reasoning | 3.25 | 3.25 |
| Selective Attention | 3.25 | 3.25 |
| Problem Sensitivity | 3.25 | 3.12 |
| Visualization | 3.12 | 3.88 |
| Multilimb Coordination | 3.12 | 3.12 |
| Oral Comprehension | 3.12 | 3.12 |
| Rate Control | 3.12 | 3.12 |
| Information Ordering | 3.12 | 3.00 |
| Category Flexibility | 3.00 | 3.12 |
| Reaction Time | 3.00 | 3.12 |
| Flexibility of Closure | 3.00 | 3.00 |
| Inductive Reasoning | 3.00 | 3.00 |
| Oral Expression | 3.00 | 3.00 |
| Perceptual Speed | 3.00 | 3.00 |
| Speech Recognition | 3.00 | 3.00 |
| Written Comprehension | 3.00 | 3.00 |
| Speech Clarity | 3.00 | 2.88 |
| Far Vision | 2.88 | 2.88 |
| Mathematical Reasoning | 2.88 | 2.88 |
| Auditory Attention | 2.75 | 3.12 |
| Extent Flexibility | 2.75 | 3.00 |
| Trunk Strength | 2.75 | 3.00 |
| Number Facility | 2.75 | 2.88 |
| Written Expression | 2.75 | 2.88 |
| Wrist-Finger Speed | 2.75 | 2.62 |
| Fluency of Ideas | 2.62 | 2.88 |
| Originality | 2.62 | 2.88 |
| Hearing Sensitivity | 2.62 | 2.75 |
| Depth Perception | 2.62 | 2.62 |
| Response Orientation | 2.62 | 2.62 |
| Time Sharing | 2.62 | 2.62 |
| Static Strength | 2.50 | 2.62 |
| Speed of Closure | 2.38 | 2.62 |
| Visual Color Discrimination | 2.38 | 2.50 |
| Dynamic Strength | 2.25 | 2.25 |
| Memorization | 2.25 | 2.12 |
| Stamina | 2.25 | 2.12 |
| Gross Body Coordination | 2.12 | 2.00 |
| Speed of Limb Movement | 2.00 | 2.00 |
| Gross Body Equilibrium | 2.00 | 1.88 |
| Spatial Orientation | 2.00 | 1.75 |
| Explosive Strength | 1.88 | 1.25 |
| Sound Localization | 1.88 | 1.00 |
| Peripheral Vision | 1.75 | 1.00 |
| Glare Sensitivity | 1.62 | 0.75 |
| Dynamic Flexibility | 1.62 | 0.62 |
| Night Vision | 1.50 | 0.50 |
Software used
Examples from O*NET data. "Hot" and "in demand" are O*NET flags for technologies often listed in job postings.
- G-code in demand
- Mastercam computer-aided design and manufacturing software in demand
- Autodesk AutoCAD hot
- Dassault Systemes SolidWorks hot
- Microsoft Excel hot
- Microsoft Office software hot
- Microsoft Outlook hot
- Microsoft PowerPoint hot
- Microsoft Word hot
- SAP software hot
- 3D Printing software
- Armchair Machinist software
- Autodesk Fusion 360
- Autodesk HSMWorks
- CNC Consulting Machinists' Calculator
- CNC Mastercam
- Dassault Systemes CATIA
- ERP software
- EditCNC
- GRZ Software MeshCAM
- Hexagon Metrology PC-DMIS
- IMSI TurboCAD
- JETCAM
- JobBOSS
- Kentech Kipware Studio
- Kentech Kipware Trig Kalculator
- Mazak Mazatrol SMART CNC
- OnShape
- OneCNC CAD/CAM
- PTC Creo Parametric
All 33
- Siemens NX
- SolidCAM CAM software
- Vero Software SURFCAM
Where it concentrates
Metro areas ranked by BLS location quotient: the occupation's share of the area's jobs divided by its share of all US jobs. Above 1 means more concentrated than the nation. Metros employing fewer than 100 are left out.
| Metro area | Employment | Location quotient | Median annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Columbus, IN | 1,470 | 15.95 | $61,230 |
| Rockford, IL | 1,800 | 7.10 | $49,700 |
| Fond du Lac, WI | 550 | 6.77 | $57,700 |
| Jackson, MI | 650 | 6.25 | $49,840 |
| Sheboygan, WI | 560 | 5.03 | $55,130 |
| Niles, MI | 530 | 4.81 | $50,430 |
| Muskegon-Norton Shores, MI | 530 | 4.63 | $48,280 |
| Saginaw, MI | 650 | 4.43 | $52,360 |
| Bloomington, IN | 540 | 4.01 | $47,850 |
| Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN | 720 | 3.81 | $62,220 |