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Machinists

General Information

Description

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.

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Business Breakdown

People in this career work in these sectors.

  1. Private, for profit90.98%
  2. Self-employed4.84%
  3. Private, not for profit1.39%
  4. Federal government1.36%
  5. State and local government1.33%

Workplace at a Glance

What you can expect to experience while on the job

  • Responsibility
  • Exposure to job hazards
  • Physical activity
  • Decision making
  • Repetitiveness
  • Level of competition
  • Time pressure

Industry areas

  • Manufacturing

Job Outlook

Projected Job Growth (2022 - 2032)
0%
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Job Outlook

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Overall employment of machinists and tool and die makers is projected to show little or no change from 2022 to 2032. Despite limited employment growth, about 38,200 openings for machinists and tool and die makers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Most of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.

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Salary

Salary Information

Median Salary This is the median, or the midpoint, of the salary range for this career.

$48,510

Median Military Salary Military pay may be higher based on specialty pays or bonuses. Learn more about Military benefits.

$57,952

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State-by-state Salary

Gray states indicate no data available

Salary Range Salary varies based on years of experience, degree level and location.

$24,320
$74,360
No Information for this section

Education & Interests

Most Common Education Levels

People in this career achieve this level of education.

  • High school 35%
  • Post-secondary certificate 33%
  • Some college 17%
  • Less than high school 13%
  • Master's degree 0%
  • Doctoral degree 0%
  • Bachelor's degree 0%
  • Associate's degree 0%
  • Post baccalaureate 0%
  • Post-doctoral training 0%
  • Post-master's certificate 0%
  • First professional degree 0%

Related College Majors

Select major to see colleges that offer it

PERSONALITY CHARACTERISTICS

You may find this career fulfilling if you consider yourself to be:

  • Realistic — You have an interest in physically working with equipment, materials or structures.
  • Conventional — You have an interest in following procedures and regulations to organize information or data.
  • Investigative — You have an interest in studying and researching objects, organisms, and other things.

Not sure what characteristics best describe you? Take the RIASEC Test.

Skills at a Glance

Skills helpful in this career

  • Verbal skills
  • Critical thinking & problem solving
  • Equipment operation & maintenance
  • Math & science skills
  • Technology design & control
  • Leadership

Knowledge

  • Mechanical
  • Mathematics
  • Design
  • Production and Processing
  • Engineering and Technology

Gain insights into your knowledge by using the ASVAB Career Exploration Program

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Data supplied by Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Center of Education Statistics, Defense Manpower Data Center (View our update schedule). Contact any business, college or military service branch to answer additional questions.