Trades

Machinist

A machinist is a skilled tradesperson who operates and maintains machine tools, such as lathes, milling machines, and grinders, to shape, cut, and fabricate precision parts and components from various materials, including metal and plastic. Their expertise involves interpreting engineering drawings, selecting appropriate tools and techniques, and ensuring the accuracy and quality of manufactured parts to meet exact specifications.

Avg pay/year

low

Apprentice

$33,720

med

Journeyman

$48,510

high

Master

$71,820

Months apprentice

48

Number of jobs

389,700

Projected Yearly Job Openings

38,200

Figures based on data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

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How to Become a Machinist in America in 2023If you're looking for a rewarding career that helps shape the future, you might want to learn how to become a machinist...

Trade paths

14

General Machinist

A general machinist crafts and repairs machine parts using tools like lathes and milling machines, ensuring precision and adherence to specifications for various industrial applications.

Aerospace Machinist

Machinists specializing in aerospace manufacturing work with materials and processes that meet strict aerospace industry standards. They produce components for aircraft, spacecraft, and related systems.

Automotive Machinist

Automotive machinists produce parts and components used in the automotive industry, including engine parts, transmission components, and chassis parts.

Gear Machinist

A gear machinist is a skilled worker who precisely fabricates gears, integral components in machinery, ensuring they meet exact specifications for smooth and efficient mechanical operations.

Industrial Machinery Machinist

An industrial machinery machinist fabricates, maintains, and repairs machinery components for industrial equipment, ensuring accurate dimensions and smooth operations in production environments.

Medical Machinist

These machinists work in the medical device manufacturing industry, producing precision components and instruments used in healthcare, such as surgical tools and implants.

Mold Maker

Mold machinists specialize in creating molds used in various manufacturing processes, including injection molding and die casting. They ensure that molds are accurate and produce high-quality products.

Oil and Gas Machinist

An oil and gas machinist crafts and repairs parts and tools specific to the oil and gas industry, ensuring precision and durability under challenging operational conditions.

Plastic Machinist

A plastic machinist specializes in crafting, shaping, and finishing parts made of plastic materials, ensuring precision and adherence to specifications for various applications.

Railroad Machinist

A railroad machinist fabricates, maintains, and repairs components of railroad equipment and locomotives, ensuring precise dimensions and reliable functionality for safe rail operations.

Shipbuilding Machinist

A shipbuilding machinist crafts and repairs parts specific to marine vessels, ensuring precision and durability to meet the rigorous demands of maritime environments.

Swiss Machinist

A Swiss machinist operates Swiss-type lathes to produce high-precision parts, often for industries like medical or aerospace, ensuring tight tolerances and intricate designs.

Tool and Die Maker

Tool and die makers specialize in creating and maintaining specialized tools, dies, molds, and fixtures used in manufacturing processes. They work with precision to ensure the accuracy and quality of these critical components.

Wood Machinist

A wood machinist crafts, shapes, and finishes wooden parts using specialized machinery, ensuring precision and quality for furniture, cabinetry, and other wood products.

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