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Military Machinists

Military Career

General Information

Description

Machinists perform various duties incident to fabrication, repair, or modification of machinery components or other metallic and non-metallic parts. They are experienced machine tool operators who use a variety of equipment and devices, such as lathes, drill presses, grinders, and other machine shop equipment. They may also utilize computer numerically controlled (CNC) equipment, as well as computer-aided design (CAD) and computer-aided machining (CAM) software.

Explore this career outside the Military

Work Environment

Machinists work in machine shops, which are often noisy.

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

Comparable Industries

  • Manufacturing

Related Military Careers

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Military Outlook

Service Branches

Jobs in this career field may be available in other service branches. Call or email a particular branch for more info.

Military Status

  • Enlisted
    • Hands-on/specialized
    • High school diploma required

Military Workforce

Machinists in the Military

3,091

No Information for this section

Salary

Salary Information

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

$57,952

Military Salary Range Salary varies based on years of service, degree level, special pays, family status and location. Learn more about Military benefits.

$23,357 - $180,263

What makes up a Military salary?

Military salaries include a lot more than just base pay.

They also offer:

  • Housing allowances
  • Subsistence allowances
  • Special and incentive pays
  • Cost-of-living allowances
  • Hazardous-duty pay
  • Bonuses

Learn more about what goes into a salary with the compensation estimator

Learn more about military insurance and retirement benefits

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Education

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%

Military training

All enlisted service members complete basic military training, which includes time spent in a classroom and in the field, and covers tactical and survival skills, physical training, military life and customs, and weapons training. Machinists in the Military will gain skills through classroom study and on-the-job experience. Job-specific training content may include: Machine types and usesMachine setup and operationUses of different metalsSafety proceduresComputer Numerically Controlled (CNC) machines, Computer Aided Drafting (CAD)

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Military training

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All enlisted service members complete basic military training, which includes time spent in a classroom and in the field, and covers tactical and survival skills, physical training, military life and customs, and weapons training. Machinists in the Military will gain skills through classroom study and on-the-job experience. Job-specific training content may include:

  • Machine types and uses
  • Machine setup and operation
  • Uses of different metals
  • Safety procedures
  • Computer Numerically Controlled (CNC) machines, Computer Aided Drafting (CAD)

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

Related College Majors

Select major to see colleges that offer it

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.