Machinists Career, Salary and Skills
Machinists have a BLS-reported national median annual wage of $58,750 based on the 2025 OEWS dataset, with reported national employment of 287,050. Wage data is published for 413 locations.
Occupation 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.
O*NET code
51-4041.00
Job zone
3
Typical education
High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)
Experience
Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years
National salary and employment
Median annual
$58,750
Hourly median
$28.24
Employment
287,050
Data year
2025
National salary distribution
Top skills
| Skill | Importance | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Operation and Control | 3.25 | 3.38 |
| Critical Thinking | 3.12 | 3.12 |
| Monitoring | 3.12 | 3.12 |
| Operations Monitoring | 3.12 | 3.25 |
| Coordination | 3.00 | 3.00 |
| Troubleshooting | 3.00 | 2.88 |
| Active Listening | 3.00 | 2.88 |
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.00 | 3.00 |
| Speaking | 3.00 | 3.00 |
| Quality Control Analysis | 3.00 | 3.00 |
Typical tasks
- 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.
- Calculate dimensions or tolerances, using instruments, such as micrometers or vernier calipers.
Technology
- 3D Printing software
- Armchair Machinist software
- Autodesk AutoCAD
- Autodesk Fusion 360
- Autodesk HSMWorks
- CNC Consulting Machinists' Calculator
- CNC Mastercam
- Dassault Systemes CATIA
- Dassault Systemes SolidWorks
- EditCNC
- ERP software
- G-code
- GRZ Software MeshCAM
- Hexagon Metrology PC-DMIS
Machinists salary by location
Areas with the highest reported employment for this occupation.
- Machinists Salary in TXMedian $59,180 · Employment 21,700
- Machinists Salary in MIMedian $52,360 · Employment 20,350
- Machinists Salary in CAMedian $57,190 · Employment 18,950
- Machinists Salary in OHMedian $57,940 · Employment 17,110
- Machinists Salary in ILMedian $58,520 · Employment 16,520
- Machinists Salary in INMedian $57,800 · Employment 14,320
- Machinists Salary in WIMedian $59,110 · Employment 12,700
- Machinists Salary in MNMedian $61,140 · Employment 12,500
- Machinists Salary in PAMedian $57,810 · Employment 12,380
- Machinists Salary in Chicago, ILMedian $59,520 · Employment 11,270
- Machinists Salary in Minneapolis, MNMedian $62,070 · Employment 9,420
- Machinists Salary in NYMedian $60,920 · Employment 9,400
Related careers
- Calibration Technologists and TechniciansNational median $67,820
- Electrical and Electronic Equipment AssemblersNational median not published
- Structural Metal Fabricators and FittersNational median $51,330
- Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and PlasticNational median $49,080
- Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except SawingNational median $43,380
- Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and PlasticNational median $46,550
- Engine and Other Machine AssemblersNational median $53,710
- Electromechanical Equipment AssemblersNational median not published
Career and skills data: O*NET 31.0 (onetcenter.org). Salary and employment data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS, 2025 (bls.gov/oes). Figures are published survey estimates, not real-time market data.