What they 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.
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Also called: |
CNC Machinist (Computer Numeric Controlled Machinist), CNC Machinist (Computer Numerically Controlled Machinist), Gear Machinist, Machine Repair Person, Machinist, Maintenance Machinist, Manual Lathe Machinist, Production Machinist, Tool Room Machinist
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Wages
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Vermont - 2023 |
Percentile1 | Hourly | Yearly |
10% |
$ 17.96 |
$37,350 |
25% |
$ 21.38 |
$44,460 |
Median |
$ 26.00 |
$54,080 |
75% |
$ 31.23 |
$64,960 |
90% |
$ 37.05 |
$77,050 |
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Average |
$ 26.33 |
$54,760 |
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More at CareerOneStop |
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Industries of Employment
United States - 2020 |
Industry | Percent of total |
- Fabricated metal product manufacturing
| 34% |
| 19% |
- Transportation equipment manufacturing
| 12% |
- Administrative and support services
| 6% |
- Computer and electronic product manufacturing
| 4% |
More at BLS |
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Knowledge
People in this career often know a lot about: |
- Mathematics
Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
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- Mechanical
Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
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- Production and Processing
Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
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- Design
Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
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Skills
People in this career often have these skills: |
- Operation and Control
Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
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- Critical Thinking
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
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- Monitoring
Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
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- Operations Monitoring
Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
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- Active Listening
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
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More at O*NET |
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Interests
People in this career often prefer these work environments: |
- Realistic
Work involves designing, building, or repairing of equipment, materials, or structures, engaging in physical activity, or working outdoors. Realistic occupations are often associated with engineering, mechanics and electronics, construction, woodworking, transportation, machine operation, agriculture, animal services, physical or manual labor, athletics, or protective services.
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- Conventional
Work involves following procedures and regulations to organize information or data, typically in a business setting. Conventional occupations are often associated with office work, accounting, mathematics/statistics, information technology, finance, or human resources.
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- Investigative
Work involves studying and researching non-living objects, living organisms, disease or other forms of impairment, or human behavior. Investigative occupations are often associated with physical, life, medical, or social sciences, and can be found in the fields of humanities, mathematics/statistics, information technology, or health care service.
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What are your interests? Take the O*NET Interest Profiler |
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Work Styles
People in this career will do well at jobs that need: |
- Attention to Detail
Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
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- Dependability
Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
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- Independence
Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done.
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- Analytical Thinking
Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems.
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- Innovation
Job requires creativity and alternative thinking to develop new ideas for and answers to work-related problems.
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More at O*NET |
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Tasks
On the job, you would: |
- Calculate dimensions or tolerances, using instruments, such as micrometers or vernier calipers.
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- Machine parts to specifications, using machine tools, such as lathes, milling machines, shapers, or grinders.
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- Measure, examine, or test completed units to check for defects and ensure conformance to specifications, using precision instruments, such as micrometers.
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- Set up, adjust, or operate basic or specialized machine tools used to perform precision machining operations.
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- Program computers or electronic instruments, such as numerically controlled machine tools.
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More at O*NET |
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Related Occupations
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Career Video
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Projected Employment
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Vermont |
2020 employment |
530 |
2030 employment |
549 |
Annual percent change (compounded) |
0.4% |
Annual projected job openings (due to change and separations) |
57 |
More at Occupational Projections |
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Education and Experience:
- Typical education needed for entry
High school diploma or equivalent
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- Work experience in a related occupation
None
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- Typical on-the-job training needed to attain competency
Long-term on-the-job training
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Based on BLS Education and Training Classifications |
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Physical Work Activity
Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling materials. |
- Physical activity is Important
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- Level of activity is Moderate
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Low | | High |
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Job Zone
Medium Preparation Needed |
- Specific Vocational Preparation Range
(6.0 to < 7.0) - A typical worker will require
over 1 year up to and including 2 years
of training to achieve average performance in this occupation.
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Based on O*Net Job Zones and SVP |
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Education Level
How much education do most people in this career have? |
Education level | | Percent of U.S. Workers |
Doctoral or professional degree or post-MA certificate | | 0% |
Master's degree or post-BA certificate | | 0% |
Bachelor's degree | | 0% |
Associate's degree | | 0% |
Certificate or some college, no degree | | 50% |
High school diploma or equivalent | | 36% |
Less than high school diploma | | 14% |
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Abilities
People in this career often have talent in: |
- Arm-Hand Steadiness
The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.
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- Finger Dexterity
The ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects.
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- Manual Dexterity
The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
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- Control Precision
The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.
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- Deductive Reasoning
The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
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More at O*NET |
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Work Activities
In general, what you might do: |
- Controlling Machines and Processes
Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
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- Getting Information
Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
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- Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials
Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
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- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
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- Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
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Detailed Work Activities
What you might do in a day: |
- Measure dimensions of completed products or workpieces to verify conformance to specifications.
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- Calculate dimensions of workpieces, products, or equipment.
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- Operate cutting equipment.
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- Operate grinding equipment.
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- Operate metal or plastic forming equipment.
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More at O*NET |
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Other Resources
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- CareerOneStop
resource for job seekers, students, businessess and career professionals
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- O*NET Online
nation's primary source of occupational information
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