Machinist

#235Changing

4/5

Key facts

+1%jobs, 2025 to 2035

United States

This job is hiring in the United States; its exposure to AI is medium. AI exposure: very low according to the ILO, moderate according to the BLS. Employment change in the United States by 2035: +1% (BLS).

The job

Sets up and runs machine tools to make precise metal parts.

627 job titles linked to this page

Titles from the European ESCO classification. They are also used for search.

abrasive jet cutter operative
abrasive jet cutter operator
abrasive jet cutter technician
abrasive jet cutting machine operative
abrasive jet cutting machine operator
abrasive jet cutting machine technician
abrasive wheel machine operator
abrasive wheel operator
acetylene cutter
acetylene torch cutter
adjusting machine operator
adzing and drilling machine operator
arc cutter
arc torch cutter
assembly line fitter
assembly line turner
auto change machinist
auto machinist
automatic borer machine operator
automatic boring machine operative
automatic boring machine operator
automatic boring technician
automatic drill punch operator
automatic driller and reamer
automatic drilling machine operative
automatic drilling machine operator
automatic drilling technician
automatic grinding machine inspector
automatic grinding machine technician
automatic lathe machine operator
automatic nibbling drill operative
automatic nibbling drill operator
automatic nibbling drill technician
automatic reaming machine operator
automatic spinning lathe operator
automatic spinning lathe setter
automotive gear machinist
automotive gearing machinist
back grinding machine operator
barrel reamer
batch heat operative
batch heat treat operator
billet heater
billet heater operator
billet heating operator
billet heating technician
bore mill operator
bore mill tender
bore press operator for metal
borer operating technician
borer operator
boring machine operative
boring machine operator
boring machine setter
boring machine tender
boring mill operator
boring mill set-up operator
boring mill set-up tender
boring mill tender
boring operative
brake drum operator
brake press setter
briquette machine operator
briquette maker
briquetter operator
briquetting machine operator
briquetting machine operators
briquetting machines operator
briquet machine operator
buffing machine operator
carbon grinding machine operator
carbon plant grinding machinist
casting furnace technician
centre punch operator
centrifugal casting machine operator
centrifugal casting machine technician
chain maker
chain making machine operative
chain making machine operator
chain making machine setter
chain making machine tender
chainmaker
CNC brake drum operator
CNC drill operative
CNC drill operator
CNC drill technician
CNC drilling machine operator
CNC drilling operative
CNC drilling operator
CNC engraving machine operator
CNC engraving operator
CNC etching machine operator
cnc etching machine operator
CNC grinding machine inspector
CNC grinding machine technician
CNC laser cutter
cnc laser cutter
CNC laser cutting machine operative
CNC laser cutting machine operator
CNC laser cutting machine set-up technician
CNC laser cutting machine setter
CNC laser cutting machine tender
CNC laser cutting machine worker
CNC laser marking set-up technician
CNC laser punch press operator
CNC laser punchpress operative
CNC laser set-up inspector
CNC lathe hand
CNC lathe setter
CNC lathe tender
cnc lathe tender
CNC lathe turner
CNC machine operative
CNC machine operator
CNC machinist
cnc machinist
CNC metal cutting machine operative
CNC metal cutting machine setter
CNC metal cutting machine tender
CNC metal cutting machine worker
CNC metal engraving machine operator
cnc metal engraving machine operator
cnc metal etching machine operator
CNC metal etching machine operator
CNC mill operative
CNC mill operator
cnc miller
CNC miller
CNC milling machine operative
CNC milling machine operator
CNC milling operative
cnc operator
CNC operator/machinist
cnc operator/machinist
CNC press brake operator
CNC press operative
CNC programmer
cnc programmer
CNC programmer/machinist
cnc programmer/machinist
cnc programmer/operator
CNC punch operator
CNC punch press brake operator
CNC punch press operator
CNC punchpress operative
CNC router operative
cnc router operative
CNC router operator
cnc router setter
CNC router setter
CNC router tender
cnc router tender
CNC set up operative
CNC set up operator
CNC set up technician
CNC set-up operative
CNC set-up operator
CNC set-up technician
cnc setter/operator
CNC tool lathe
CNC tool lathe setter
cnc turner/setter
CNC turning machine setter
CNC turning machine tender
CNC turret machine operator
CNC water jet cutting machine operator
CNC waterjet cutter operator
CNC waterjet cutting machine operator
cnc-press operative
computer controlled drilling machine operator
computer numerical control machine operator
computer numerical control machine programmer/operator
computer numerical controlled drilling machine operator
computer numerical controlled engraving machine operator
computer numerical controlled etching machine operator
computer numerical controlled laser cutter operator
computer numerical controlled laser cutting machine operative
computer numerical controlled laser cutting machine operator
computer numerical controlled laser cutting machine setter
computer numerical controlled laser cutting machine tender
computer numerical controlled laser cutting machine worker
computer numerical controlled lathe and turning machine operator
computer numerical controlled lathe and turning machine setter
computer numerical controlled metal cutting machine setter
computer numerical controlled metal cutting machine tender
computer numerical controlled metal cutting machine worker
computer numerical controlled metal engraving machine operator
computer numerical controlled metal etching machine operator
computer numerical controlled milling machine operative
computer numerical controlled milling machine operator
convex grinder
convex grinder operator
crank press operator
cut-off operative
cut-off operator
cutting torch operator
die-stamping press operative
die-stamping press operator
die-stamping press setter
die-stamping press tender
die-stamping press worker
drill and reamer technician
drill operating technician
drill operative
drill operator
drill press operative
drill press operator
drill press operator for metal
drill press tender
drill presser
drill punch operative
drill punch operator
drill set-up operative
drill set-up operator
drill setup operative
drill setup operator
drill technician
drill-press operative
driller and broacher
driller and reamer
drilling and boring machine operator
drilling and broaching technician
drilling machine inspector
drilling machine operative
drilling machine operator
drilling machine tender
drilling machine worker
drilling mill operator
electrical discharge machine eroder
electrical discharge machine operative
electrical discharge machine operator
electrical discharge machine set up operative
electrical discharge machine set up operator
electrical discharge machine set up technician
electrical discharge machine setter
electrical discharge machine setup operative
electrical discharge machine setup operator
electrical discharge machine setup technician
electrical gear machinist
electrical gearing machinist
electrical sealing machine operative
electrical sealing machine operator
electrical turner
engine turner
engine turning operator
engineering turner
engraving drill operator
engraving machine operator
engraving machine tender
engraving operator
fancy wire drawer
fettler
filing and grinding machine operator
fitter and turner
foot drill operative
foot drill operator
forging machine operative
forging machine setter
forging machine tender
foundry grinder
gang drill operative
gang drill operator
gear change machinist
gear machinist
gold chain maker
gold chainmaker
grinding and stapling machine apprentice
grinding and stapling machine operative
grinding machine inspector
grinding machine operative
grinding machine operator
grinding machine set-up operative
grinding machine set-up operator
grinding machine set-up worker
grinding machine setter
grinding machine technican
grinding machine worker
grinding room operative
hand chain maker
hand chain making operator
hand held nibbler drill operative
hand held nibbler drill operator
hand held nibbler drill technician
hand held nibbling drill operative
hand held nibbling drill operator
hand held nibbling drill technician
heading machine operative
heading machine operator
heat regulator operative
heat regulator operator
heat treat apprentice
heat treat furnace operative
heat treat furnace operator
heat treat operative
heat treating bluer
heat treating bluer apprentice
heat treating furnace operator
heat treating furnace tender
heat treating machine operator
heat treating setter
heat treating technician
heat treatment furnace operator
horizontal boring and milling machine set-up tender
horizontal boring machine operative
horizontal boring machine operator
horizontal boring machine setter
horizontal boring machine tender
horizontal drilling milling machine set-up operator
horizontal machining centre operator
horizontal machining operative
horizontal machining operator
injection moulding machine operative
injection moulding machine operator
jewelery chain maker
jewellery chain maker
jewellery chainmaker
jewelry chainmaker
lapping machine operator
laser cutter
laser cutter inspector
laser cutter production operative
laser cutter production operator
laser cutter production worker
laser cutter technician
laser cutting machine operative
laser cutting machine operator
laser cutting machine set-up operative
laser cutting machine set-up operator
laser cutting machine setter
laser cutting machine tender
laser cutting machine worker
laser cutting technician
laser drill inspector
laser drill operative
laser drill operator
laser drill set-up inspector
laser drill set-up technician
laser drill technician
laser drilling operative
laser engraver mill operator
laser engraving drill operative
laser engraving drill operator
laser engraving drill set-up technician
laser engraving drill technician
laser engraving mill operative
laser engraving mill technician
laser engraving operator
laser marking machine operative
laser marking machine operator
laser marking machine set-up operative
laser marking machine set-up operator
laser marking operator
laser mill inspector
laser mill operative
laser mill operator
laser mill technician
laser set up operative
laser set up operator
lathe and turning machine operator
lathe and turning machine tool operator
lathe and turning machine tool setter
lathe and turning machine tool tender
lathe scalper operator
lay out operative
lay out technician
lay out worker
lay-out operator
lay-out technician
lay-out worker
linisher
linishing machine operative
linishing machine operator
linishing machine worker
machine moulding worker
machine power saw operator
machine saw operator
machine tool fitter
machine tool turner
mechanical gear machinist
mechanical gearing machinist
mechatronic gear machinist
mechatronic gearing machinist
metal CNC press operative
metal CNC press operator
metal cnc-press operative
metal cnc-press operator
metal cut-off saw operative
metal cut-off saw operator
metal cut-off saw trimmer
metal cutter
metal cutting machine operative
metal cutting machine setter
metal cutting machine tender
metal cutting machine worker
metal die cutter
metal die-cutter
metal drill press operative
metal drill press operator
metal drill-press operative
metal drill-press operator
metal engraving machine operator
metal filing machine operator
metal milling machine operator
metal nibbling operator
metal planer operator
metal power saw operator
metal power saw technician
metal power saw trimmer
metal press operative
metal press operator
metal press setter
metal press tender
metal press worker
metal processing operative
metal recycling operative
metal saw operator
metal sawing machine operative
metal sawing machine operator
metal sawing machine technician
metal sawing machine worker
metal sawyer
metal shredder operator
metal spinning operator
metal trimmer
metal working lathe operator
metalworking lathe operator
metalworking power saw operator
milling machine operator
milling machine set-up operator
milling machine tender
mining oven technician
mold maintenance technician
molding machine operator
moulding machine operator
moulding machine operators
multi-spindle routing machine operative
multi-spindle routing machine operator
multi-spindle routing machine setter
multi-spindle routing machine tender
multi-spindle routing machinist
multiple spindle lathe turner
multiple-spindle vertical boring mill set-up operator
multiple-spindle vertical boring mill set-up tender
multiple-spindle vertical drilling mill set-up operator
nibbling drill operative
nibbling drill operator
nibbling drill technician
novelty chain maker
novelty chainmaker
numerical control milling operative
numerical control milling operator
numerical controlled lathe operator
numerical controlled lathe technician
numerical controlled milling machine inspector
numerical controlled milling machine operator
numerical controlled milling machine technician
numerical controlled milling operator
ornamental metal worker
ornamental metalwork metal fabricator
oxy fuel burning machine operator
oxy fuel cutting machine operative
oxy fuel cutting machine operator
oxy fuel cutting machine technician
oxy-fuel burning machine operative
oxy-fuel burning machine operator
oxy-fuel burning machine technician
oxy-fuel cutting machine operative
oxy-fuel cutting machine operator
oxy-fuel cutting machine technician
planer set up operator
plasma burning machine operator
plasma burning machine technician
plasma burning torch operator
plasma burning torch technician
plasma cutter operative
plasma cutter operator
plasma cutting machine operator
plasma torch machine operative
plasma torch machine operator
plastic CNC press operative
plastic CNC press operator
plastic cnc-press operative
plastic cnc-press operator
plastic drill press operative
plastic drill press operator
plastic drill-press operative
plastic drill-press operator
plastic press operator
plastic punch press operator
polishing machine operator
precision gear machinist
precision gearing machinist
precision structural metal fitter
precision structural steel fitter
press brake operative
press brake operator
press brake setter
press brake setter/operator
press inspector
press operative
press punch inspector
press punch operative
press punch setter
press setter
press shop operative
press shop operator
press shop setter
press shop tender
press shop worker
production boring machine operator
punch machine hand
punch machine operative
punch machine operator
punch machine setter
punch operator
punch press brake operator
punch press operative
punch press operator
punch press setter
punch press worker
punchpress operative
punchpress operator
punchpress worker
reamer operator
recycled metal operative
recycler
recyling operative
router operative
router operator
router setter
router tender
saw operator
saw shop operator
saw shop worker
sawing machine operative
scrap metal operative
scrap metal processor
scrap sorter
screw machine operator
screw machine tuning operator
screw machine turner
shear operator
shear saw operator
shredder operator
smelter operative
spark erosion machine operator
spinning lathe operator
stamp press operative
stamp press operator
stamping press operative
stamping press operator
stamping press setter
stamping press tender
stamping press worker
straightener
straightening machine apprentice
straightening machine operative
straightening machine operator
straightening machine technician
straightening machine tender
straightening machinist
straightening press operative
straightening press operator
Structural and ornamental metalwork copper fabricator
structural and ornamental metalwork metal fabricator
structural and ornamental metalwork steel fabricator
swaging machine operative
swaging machine operator
swaging machine setter
swaging machine tender
tapper operator
thread machine roller
thread machine rolling machinist
thread machine rolling operator
thread mill roller
thread mill rolling machinist
thread roller
thread rolling machine operator
thread rolling machine technician
thread rolling machinist
thread rolling operator
thread-mill roller
tool and die fitter
tool and die turner
tool engineering fitter
tool engineering turner
tool fitter
tool grinding machine operator
tool lathe
tool lathe setter
tool turner
turning machine operator
turning machine tender
turret lathe turner
turret punch press operative
Turret punch press operator
upset forging machine operative
upset forging machine operator
upset operator
upsetter
upsetter apprenticeship
upsetting machine operative
upsetting machine operator
vertical boring machine operative
vertical boring machine operator
vertical boring machine setter
vertical boring machine tender
vertical boring mill operator
vertical boring mill tender
vertical drilling mill operator
vertical machining centre operator
water jet cutter operator
water jet cutting machine operative
water jet cutting machine operator
water jet cutting machine technician
water jet operator
water jet technician
water-jet technician
waterjet cutter apprentice
waterjet cutter operative
waterjet cutter operator
waterjet cutting machine operative
waterjet cutting machine operator
waterjet cutting machine technician
waterjet technician
welder fabricator
welder fabricator installer

Training

CareerOneStop Apprenticeship.gov O*NET OnLine

Check any training provider through official public services before paying.

Gauges

Risk 4/5 · High

AI exposureMediumBLS AI exposure category "moderate" (2026), higher than the ILO 2025 index (very low)

Employment outlookDeclineBLS, 2025-2035 projections (Machinists)

Hiring difficultyNot availableNo US indicator measures hiring difficulty job by job

PayAverageBLS, 2025 median annual wage: $58,750

EntryQuickBLS, typical education needed for entry

No US indicator measures hiring difficulty job by job: this gauge stays empty. How countries are compared

Sources

AI exposure categories and employment projections, 2025-2035 (XLSX file)Bureau of Labor Statistics, United States · August 2026 · official statistics
Generative AI and Jobs: a refined global index of occupational exposureInternational Labour Organization and NASK · May 2025 · large survey
Jobs in 2030: projections by occupational family (summary table)Dares and France Stratégie · March 2022 · official statistics
Labour needs survey (BMO) 2026France Travail · 2026 · large survey
EURES report on labour shortages and surpluses 2025, annexEuropean Labour Authority · June 2026 · official statistics

Checked on 27 October 2026.