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.
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. The role reports a median annual salary of $56,150 in the US and is showing modest growth of 0% over the next decade. Entry typically requires a High school diploma or equivalent, and shows moderate AI exposure (0.45 on a 0-1 scale) — some tasks are being automated but the role adapts. The most in-demand skills for the role include types of tyres, replace tyres, balance tyres, inspect worn tyres, ensure equipment availability.
Pay in the UK
UK: median £31,500 a year for Metal working machine operatives (ONS ASHE 2025, full-time)
Middle half of full-time jobs: £27,304 to £39,688 a year
UK jobs are grouped differently; this is the closest UK occupation group (ONS SOC 2020 8120). ONS rates this estimate reasonably precise. 2025 provisional figures; ONS revises them a year later. Source: ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (Open Government Licence)
Pay in India (occupation group)
Average monthly earnings of salaried employees in the occupation group “Craft and related trades workers” in India, from the Government of India's Periodic Labour Force Survey (January–December 2025). It covers everyone in this group, not only Machinists, and it is not US pay converted to rupees.
Source: MoSPI (Government of India), Periodic Labour Force Survey Annual Report 2025, Table 51 — average wage/salary earnings of regular wage/salaried employees, NCO-2015 division 7. Official India data gives one average per occupation group: there are no official India figures for single careers, experience levels or cities. Read the report
How to get here in India
The usual route into this career in India. Each step links to the official page it comes from.
- 1 · Qualification ITI trade 'Machinist' (2 years, after Class 10 with science and maths) under the Craftsmen Training Scheme[1][2]
- 2 · Certification Pass the all-India trade test to get the National Trade Certificate (NTC) from DGT[1]
- 3 · First role Machinist or grinder in a machine shop[1]
Rules change: check the exam body's and regulator's current notice before you apply.
- DGT — Machinist trade syllabus (Craftsmen Training Scheme) (read on 2026-09-27)
- DGT — List of CTS courses (read on 2026-09-27)
Top skills
Knowledge you'll build
- Mathematics
- Mechanical
- Production and Processing
- Design
- Engineering and Technology
- English Language
- Customer and Personal Service
- Computers and Electronics
A day in the life
You start the morning at your workbench studying the blueprint for a batch of precision parts, working out the order of operations and the tools you will need. You set up the lathe, fitting the right cutting tool and adjusting speeds and feeds. As the first part takes shape, you stop often to measure with a micrometer and vernier calipers, making sure every dimension falls within tight tolerances. Mid-morning you move to a computer-controlled milling machine, loading the program and running a test piece before starting the batch. After lunch a part fails inspection, so you check your setup, find a worn tool and replace it. Later you inspect finished parts with gauges and record the results. The work is noisy and requires constant concentration, but turning a raw block of metal into a perfect part is deeply satisfying.
Illustrative: one typical day, written from the O*NET task statements for this occupation. Real days vary by employer and seniority.
What you'd actually do
- Calculate dimensions or tolerances, using instruments, such as micrometers or vernier calipers.
- 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.
Tools & technology you'd use
Frequently asked questions
What does Machinists do?
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.
What does a typical day look like in Machinists?
You start the morning at your workbench studying the blueprint for a batch of precision parts, working out the order of operations and the tools you will need. You set up the lathe, fitting the right cutting tool and adjusting speeds and feeds. As the first part takes shape, you stop often to measure with a micrometer and vernier calipers, making sure every dimension falls within tight tolerances.
How much does Machinists earn?
The median annual salary for Machinists in the US is $56,150.
What is the job outlook for Machinists?
The role is showing modest growth of 0% over the next decade. Current US employment is approximately 299,500 workers.
How do I become a machinists?
The typical entry education is a High school diploma or equivalent. Building a foundation in the top skills below will strengthen your application.
What skills does Machinists need?
The most in-demand skills for this role include types of tyres, replace tyres, balance tyres, inspect worn tyres, ensure equipment availability, inspect repaired tyres. These are the skills O*NET identifies as most important for competent performance.
Will AI replace Machinists?
Our AI-durability model gives Machinists a score of 0.45 on a 0-1 scale (higher = more exposure). That places it at moderate AI exposure — some tasks are being automated but the role adapts. Learning to work with AI tools rather than against them is the path forward.
How hard is it to enter this field?
Machinists has low barrier to entry — generally accessible — you can enter with basic credentials and on-the-job learning.