What it pays
Government survey numbers — not estimates, not ads.
Half of all Machinists in the U.S. earn more than $58,750 a year — the middle 80% land between $39,200 and $80,010. About 287,050 people in the U.S. do this work. Figures are for the U.S. occupation group “Machinists”. (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics survey, published 2025.) In India, Plant and machine operators and assemblers earn about ₹17,329 a month on average — around ₹2.1 lakh a year (government PLFS survey via ILOSTAT, occupation-family figure).
$58,750typical pay / year
287,050people in this work
$80,010+top 10% earn
₹2.1 lakha year in India (family avg)
Think you get this job?Six quick questions on how it really works — with a hint and the reason behind every answer.
Test yourself →The work, task by task
These are the real jobs-to-be-done, not a wish list. Each task shows where we found it, and the prompt underneath is written for that exact task.
Fixing3
Set up and operate machine tools
+Set up the lathe and milling fixtures for the tyre service adaptor batch, fit cutting tools to the holders,…
Set up and operate machine tools
+Set up the lathe and milling fixtures for the tyre service adaptor batch, fit cutting tools to the holders, zero the axes on the control, run a one-piece trial at T2 to prove dimensions before full production starts at 07:30 tomorrow.
The tools that do the workAutodesk HSMWorksjob descriptionsO*NETWikipedia
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Follow safety procedures and regulations
+Walk the shop floor before first light, check guards, lockout tags, coolant levels and PPE stations, record…
Follow safety procedures and regulations
+Walk the shop floor before first light, check guards, lockout tags, coolant levels and PPE stations, record any safety defects on the log, stop any machine that lacks a guard and arrange corrective maintenance with maintenance by 09:00.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft OfficeESCOjob descriptionsWikipedia
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Troubleshoot machinery problems
+Diagnose the spindle vibration on Centre 3: run an imbalance test, inspect taper and collet for wear, swap in…
Troubleshoot machinery problems
+Diagnose the spindle vibration on Centre 3: run an imbalance test, inspect taper and collet for wear, swap in a known-good spindle belt, log readings and call maintenance to order replacement bearings if vibration exceeds 0.005 inches.
The tools that do the workArmchair Machinistjob descriptionsO*NET
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Learning1
Measure and inspect parts for conformance
+Measure the seven brake flange samples from yesterday's run with calibrated micrometres and a dial indicator,…
Measure and inspect parts for conformance
+Measure the seven brake flange samples from yesterday's run with calibrated micrometres and a dial indicator, record actuals and deviations on the inspection sheet, flag any out-of-tolerance parts and tag them for rework before the afternoon shift starts.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft Exceljob descriptionsO*NETWikipedia
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The daily work15
Program CNC machines
+Write and simulate the G-code for the new tyre adaptor pocketing operation, verify feeds and speeds for the…
Program CNC machines
+Write and simulate the G-code for the new tyre adaptor pocketing operation, verify feeds and speeds for the carbide tool, run the dry air-cut simulation, then post the program to the control under the job number 2437 if there are no collisions.
The tools that do the workAutodesk Fusion 360Autodesk HSMWorksjob descriptionsO*NETWikipedia
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Repair tyres
+Strip the damaged tyre off the rim, inspect bead and carcass for cuts or delamination, fit and seat the…
Repair tyres
+Strip the damaged tyre off the rim, inspect bead and carcass for cuts or delamination, fit and seat the replacement tyre, balance it to 5 grams or better, record the work in the vehicle file and test on the slow spin before return to the customer.
The tools that do the workArmchair MachinistESCO
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Sell tyres
+Assess the customer’s vehicle and driving needs, explain three tyre options with prices and expected life,…
Sell tyres
+Assess the customer’s vehicle and driving needs, explain three tyre options with prices and expected life, confirm the chosen tyre and fitment date, reserve the required tyre and bay, and take a deposit if the job is for Friday.
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Monitor machining processes to ensure quality
+Monitor the cutting and turning cycles on the lathe and mill, watch dimensional readouts and surface finish,…
Monitor machining processes to ensure quality
+Monitor the cutting and turning cycles on the lathe and mill, watch dimensional readouts and surface finish, stop any job showing chatter or tool wear, record nonconformances in the job log, and notify Jamie on second shift if adjustments are needed.
The tools that do the workAutodesk HSMWorksO*NETWikipedia
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Collaborate with engineers and team members
+Hold a quick huddle with the design engineer Marco and operator Laura to review the drawing revision, confirm…
Collaborate with engineers and team members
+Hold a quick huddle with the design engineer Marco and operator Laura to review the drawing revision, confirm tolerance changes, agree fixture adjustments, and assign who will test the first run and report back by 2pm.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft Outlookjob descriptionsO*NET
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Set up tools for machining operations
+Set up the tooling for the next run: fit the specified collet and endmill, check runout with the dial…
Set up tools for machining operations
+Set up the tooling for the next run: fit the specified collet and endmill, check runout with the dial indicator, set spindle offsets to the program zero, clamp the workpiece to the fixture, then perform a trial cut at reduced speed.
The tools that do the workAutodesk Fusion 360job descriptionsWikipedia
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Separate scrap waste and related materials for reuse, recycling, or disposal.
+Sort the turnings, unusable billets, coolant-soaked rags and mixed scrap into labeled bins for copper, steel,…
Separate scrap waste and related materials for reuse, recycling, or disposal.
+Sort the turnings, unusable billets, coolant-soaked rags and mixed scrap into labeled bins for copper, steel, hazardous waste and recyclable aluminium, weigh each load, update the waste log, and arrange pickup with Maintenance on Friday.
The tools that do the workSAPO*NET
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Lay out, measure, and mark metal stock to display placement of cuts.
+Lay out the plate using the job drawing: scribe centrelines, transfer the hole pattern, mark datum edges and…
Lay out, measure, and mark metal stock to display placement of cuts.
+Lay out the plate using the job drawing: scribe centrelines, transfer the hole pattern, mark datum edges and cut lines with the square and scriber, double-check measurements with the mic and tape before the first cut.
The tools that do the workAutodesk AutoCADO*NET
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Prepare working sketches for the illustration of product appearance.
+Prepare a clear working sketch showing the finished part appearance: front, side and isometric views, note…
Prepare working sketches for the illustration of product appearance.
+Prepare a clear working sketch showing the finished part appearance: front, side and isometric views, note surface finish, critical dimensions and thread callouts, then pin the sketch to the job folder for the operator to follow.
The tools that do the workDassault Systemes SolidWorksO*NET
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Advise clients about the materials being used for finished products.
+Explain to Darren in procurement and to the product manager which aluminium grades and heat treatments we…
Advise clients about the materials being used for finished products.
+Explain to Darren in procurement and to the product manager which aluminium grades and heat treatments we used on the finished brake collars, why we chose them, expected wear life, and any handling cautions before Thursday so procurement can approve the next batch.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft WordMicrosoft OutlookO*NET
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Polish and finish machined products
+Hand-finish the batch of stainless steel shaft collars to a 0.8 micron surface finish, remove all tool marks,…
Polish and finish machined products
+Hand-finish the batch of stainless steel shaft collars to a 0.8 micron surface finish, remove all tool marks, deburr edges, apply corrosion inhibitor, and move them to inspection with a note for Jamie in quality before the end of shift.
The tools that do the workArmchair Machinistjob descriptions
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Maintain production and quality logs
+Update the daily production and quality log with today’s run: machine hours, batch numbers, rejects with…
Maintain production and quality logs
+Update the daily production and quality log with today’s run: machine hours, batch numbers, rejects with defect codes, corrective actions taken, and stock moved to shipping, then circulate the log to Sarah in operations and Ben in quality by 16:30.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft Outlookjob descriptions
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Develop and improve manufacturing processes
+Draft a short procedure for reducing cycle time on the gearbox housings: current cycle steps, proposed…
Develop and improve manufacturing processes
+Draft a short procedure for reducing cycle time on the gearbox housings: current cycle steps, proposed toolpath and fixturing changes, expected time savings, and a test plan, then send it to Mark the process engineer and schedule a trial on Monday morning.
The tools that do the workDassault Systemes SolidWorksMicrosoft Wordjob descriptions
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Program CNC machines using G-code
+Produce and verify G-code for the 4140 shaft batch to achieve the specified 0.02mm tolerance, simulate the…
Program CNC machines using G-code
+Produce and verify G-code for the 4140 shaft batch to achieve the specified 0.02mm tolerance, simulate the run for the Haas twin-spindle, note suggested feeds and speeds, then upload to the machine and notify Tom on the floor.
The tools that do the workAutodesk HSMWorksWikipedia
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Understand material properties and how they react to machining
+Prepare a short briefing for the buyer explaining how 6061, 7075, and mild steel behave under cutting:…
Understand material properties and how they react to machining
+Prepare a short briefing for the buyer explaining how 6061, 7075, and mild steel behave under cutting: recommended tooling, anticipated burring, heat issues, and finish quality so procurement picks the right alloy for the next contract.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft WordWikipedia
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Keeping the record1
Read and interpret blueprints and schematics
+Study the assembly drawing set for the valve housing, confirm the critical dimensions, note material callouts…
Read and interpret blueprints and schematics
+Study the assembly drawing set for the valve housing, confirm the critical dimensions, note material callouts and surface finish symbols, and annotate the drawing with the milling sequence so the apprentice can follow it on shift B.
The tools that do the workAutodesk AutoCADjob descriptionsO*NETWikipedia
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Says who?
These are the pages we read to build this. Open any of them and check us.
The logs, files & records this job keeps
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Built on public evidence: O*NET®, ESCO, Wikipedia, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, ILOSTAT. All sources & licenses