How much does a machinist make?

In the United States, machinists with more experience and stronger skills may earn more, and optional certificates can help them advance. Pay also varies by industry, employer, and location; overtime or night and weekend shifts can change total take-home pay.

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 who primarily program or operate computer numerically controlled (CNC) equipment are classified in “Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators and Programmers” (51-9160).

What's a typical day like?

They read a blueprint or computer design, set up a lathe or CNC machine, and cut metal into a precise part. Then they measure and inspect it to check that it matches the plan.

In the United States, earn a high-school diploma or equivalent; math, blueprint reading, metalworking, and CAD/CAM classes help. Then learn on the job, in a technical school, or through an apprenticeship, often starting as a machine operator; certificates are optional.

Vocational school or a few years' experience (preparation level 3 of 5)

Good for people who like building and doing and keeping things organized.

Some U.S. machinists must make parts accurate to within 0.0001 inch—one ten-thousandth of an inch!

The US figure is the median and the Japan figure is the average, so it's not a perfect comparison. Prices differ too.