| Important Core Job Duties (in order of importance) For the Top 5 most important - How can you build experience and skill doing these? This will help now, to begin preparing for this type of occupation. |
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| Importance (%) | Description |
| Importance: 99 (%) | Description: Calculate dimensions or tolerances, using instruments, such as micrometers or vernier calipers. |
| Importance: 99 (%) | Description: Machine parts to specifications, using machine tools, such as lathes, milling machines, shapers, or grinders. |
| Importance: 99 (%) | Description: Maintain machine tools in proper operational condition. |
| Importance: 96 (%) | Description: Set up, adjust, or operate basic or specialized machine tools used to perform precision machining operations. |
| Importance: 95 (%) | Description: Measure, examine, or test completed units to check for defects and ensure conformance to specifications, using precision instruments, such as micrometers. |
| Importance: 95 (%) | Description: Align and secure holding fixtures, cutting tools, attachments, accessories, or materials onto machines. |
| Importance: 92 (%) | Description: Monitor the feed and speed of machines during the machining process. |
| Importance: 92 (%) | Description: Diagnose machine tool malfunctions to determine need for adjustments or repairs. |
| Importance: 89 (%) | Description: Evaluate machining procedures and recommend changes or modifications for improved efficiency or adaptability. |
| Importance: 89 (%) | Description: Separate scrap waste and related materials for reuse, recycling, or disposal. |
| Importance: 88 (%) | Description: Dispose of scrap or waste material in accordance with company policies and environmental regulations. |
| Importance: 88 (%) | Description: Operate equipment to verify operational efficiency. |
| Importance: 88 (%) | Description: Confer with engineering, supervisory, or manufacturing personnel to exchange technical information. |
| Importance: 81 (%) | Description: Check work pieces to ensure that they are properly lubricated or cooled. |
| Importance: 79 (%) | Description: Study sample parts, blueprints, drawings, or engineering information to determine methods or sequences of operations needed to fabricate products. |
| Importance: 77 (%) | Description: Confer with numerical control programmers to check and ensure that new programs or machinery will function properly and that output will meet specifications. |
| Importance: 75 (%) | Description: Program computers or electronic instruments, such as numerically controlled machine tools. |
| Importance: 74 (%) | Description: Lay out, measure, and mark metal stock to display placement of cuts. |
| Importance: 72 (%) | Description: Design fixtures, tooling, or experimental parts to meet special engineering needs. |
| Importance: 71 (%) | Description: Fit and assemble parts to make or repair machine tools. |
Associate Degree Careers and Jobs
Explore Careers and Jobs Predominantly Filled by Those with an Associate's Degree or Less - All On One Page.
Sorted by median annual U.S. salary and including percentage of job holders with Associate's Degree or less.
An associate's degree can open doors to skilled technical, healthcare, and business support roles without the time commitment of a four-year degree. For people who want a faster, more affordable path into a stable career. Compare careers ranked by salary, review degree-holder and experience percentages, and access preparation resources for each role.
Here is a short Helper Video 
.
This page will take you through 4 steps, relative to an Associate's Degree, to (1) Select a career, (2) Find active job listings, (3) Prepare for the career you chose, and (4) Provide web resources specific to the career you chose.
Step 1: Select a Career: You will be presented with a listing of Associate's Degree careers. The list may be quite long. There are two ways you might like to use this list:
1) Filter - As you enter a word, you will filter (limit) the list of careers below
2) Browse the list (Don't Filter) - You can simply browse the list of careers. There may be many that you might never have considered. This may help you to discover careers that might be of interest.
Once you have identified a career of interest, simply click on it.
Step 2: Find a Job: After you have selected a career/job title above, you will see a form asking for your location. You will see several radio selection choices to utilize the job search site of your choice.
Step 3: Prepare For a Career: In this section you will gain access to detailed information to help you prepare for the career you selected. Information includes core and supplemental duties, general and specific work activities, knowledge required, essential and transferable skills required, day-in-the-life summaries, knowledge required, software skills required, preparation required, educational requirements, training and work experience required, local salary information, certifications, professional associations, current job listings for the job selected along with multiple similar job titles, and related careers (related to what they do, what they know, and what they're called).
Step 4: Career-Specific Resources (detailed and constantly updated): Continue to scroll down the page and you will find tabs that will provide detailed (updated) links to occupational information specific to the career you selected. This information includes:
Videos: Provides a listing of video links related to this career. A great way to get a quick overview of the occupation.
Resumes: Sources for resume materials and techniques. This can help to get you started.
Job Description: Sources that provide job descriptions, which are vital to resume and interview preparation.
Interviews: Provides links that can help you to prepare for and successfully complete the job interview.
Step by Step: Provides links to resources that can help to organize the career search process.
LinkedIn: One of the best professional social media sites that provides links, opportunities, and networking specifically for careers and career development.
Step 1 of 4: Select a Career
Leading Books About Associate Degree Jobs
What jobs can you get with an Associate's Degree? Scroll through the picklist (below). These are careers related to the Associate's Degree level, with at least 30% of job holders having an Associate's Degree. - 571 specific careers are listed, with matching jobs currently available. Select those careers that may be of interest - you will then get links to matching active job listings, and detailed resources to help you prepare.
You can use this form two ways:
1) Enter a Keyword - As you enter a keyword, you will filter (limit) the listing to those careers that contain the keyword entered
2) Browse the list (Don't enter a keyword) - You can simply browse the list of careers. There may be many that you might never have considered. This may help you to discover jobs that might be of interest.
OR - leave blank and scroll through the choices:
Select a Job Title - Sorted by Annual Salary -(scroll and Select) :
Legend: Career Title Link / (% having Associate's Degree or less) / (Median Annual U.S. Salary)
Step 2 of 4: Find a Job
Job Listings for: Machinists.
Step 3 of 4: Prepare For a Career
Prepare for the "Machinists" Career
The details below will provide a pathway to your specific job goal and help you to identify an appropriate career ladder.
Machinists
Description: 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.
Please click on a section below to expand and see detailed occupational information related to "Machinists":
U.S. Total Employment (2023):
363,000U.S. Total Employment (2033 est.):
391,800
Employment Change (2023-2033 est.):
28,800 (7.9%) Average Annual Job Openings (2023-2033 est.):
41,200
Core Duties
Supplemental Duties
| Important Supplemental Job Duties (in order of importance)
For the Top 5 most important - How can you build experience and skill doing these? This will help now, to begin preparing for this type of occupation. |
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| Importance (%) | Description |
| Importance: 66 (%) | Description: Support metalworking projects from planning and fabrication through assembly, inspection, and testing, using knowledge of machine functions, metal properties, and mathematics. |
| Importance: 62 (%) | Description: Dismantle machines or equipment, using hand tools or power tools to examine parts for defects and replace defective parts where needed. |
| Importance: 59 (%) | Description: Set up or operate metalworking, brazing, heat-treating, welding, or cutting equipment. |
| Importance: 54 (%) | Description: Install repaired parts into equipment or install new equipment. |
| Importance: 52 (%) | Description: Establish work procedures for fabricating new structural products, using a variety of metalworking machines. |
| Importance: 49 (%) | Description: Test experimental models under simulated operating conditions, for purposes such as development, standardization, or feasibility of design. |
| Importance: 45 (%) | Description: Prepare working sketches for the illustration of product appearance. |
| Importance: 37 (%) | Description: Advise clients about the materials being used for finished products. |
| Importance: 35 (%) | Description: Install experimental parts or assemblies, such as hydraulic systems, electrical wiring, lubricants, or batteries into machines or mechanisms. |
Work Activities
| Important General Work Activities (in order of importance)
For the Top 5 most important - How can you build experience and skill doing these? This will help now, to begin preparing for this type of occupation. |
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| Importance (%) | Description |
| Importance: 94 (%) | Description: Controlling Machines and Processes: Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles). |
| Importance: 86 (%) | Description: Getting Information: Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources. |
| Importance: 85 (%) | Description: Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials: Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects. |
| Importance: 78 (%) | Description: Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings: Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems. |
| Importance: 78 (%) | Description: Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events: Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events. |
| Importance: 75 (%) | Description: Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment: Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical (not electronic) principles. |
| Importance: 74 (%) | Description: Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates: Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person. |
| Importance: 74 (%) | Description: Making Decisions and Solving Problems: Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems. |
| Importance: 73 (%) | Description: Handling and Moving Objects: Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things. |
| Importance: 71 (%) | Description: Training and Teaching Others: Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others. |
| Importance: 70 (%) | Description: Processing Information: Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data. |
| Importance: 68 (%) | Description: Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work: Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work. |
| Importance: 68 (%) | Description: Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge: Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job. |
| Importance: 67 (%) | Description: Working with Computers: Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information. |
| Importance: 67 (%) | Description: Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment: Providing documentation, detailed instructions, drawings, or specifications to tell others about how devices, parts, equipment, or structures are to be fabricated, constructed, assembled, modified, maintained, or used. |
| Importance: 65 (%) | Description: Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards: Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards. |
| Importance: 65 (%) | Description: Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People: Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people. |
| Importance: 65 (%) | Description: Performing General Physical Activities: Performing general physical activities includes doing 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. |
| Importance: 62 (%) | Description: Documenting/Recording Information: Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form. |
Specific Work Activities
| Important Specific Work Activities
How can you begin to build experience and skill doing these? This will help now, to begin preparing for this type of occupation. Specific Work Activities appear below: |
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| Advise others on ways to improve processes or products. | |
| Assemble electromechanical or hydraulic systems. | |
| Assemble machine tools, parts, or fixtures. | |
| Calculate dimensions of workpieces, products, or equipment. | |
| Conduct test runs of production equipment. | |
| Create diagrams or blueprints for workpieces or products. | |
| Design tools, fixtures, or other devices for production equipment. | |
| Determine metal or plastic production methods. | |
| Diagnose equipment malfunctions. | |
| Disassemble equipment for maintenance or repair. | |
| Dispose of trash or waste materials. | |
| Draw guide lines or markings on materials or workpieces using patterns or other references. | |
| Exchange information with colleagues. | |
| Install mechanical components in production equipment. | |
| Maintain production or processing equipment. | |
| Measure dimensions of completed products or workpieces to verify conformance to specifications. | |
| Measure materials to mark reference points, cutting lines, or other indicators. | |
| Monitor equipment operation to ensure proper functioning. | |
| Monitor lubrication of equipment or workpieces. | |
| Mount attachments or tools onto production equipment. | |
| Operate cutting equipment. | |
| Operate grinding equipment. | |
| Operate metal or plastic forming equipment. | |
| Operate welding equipment. | |
| Plan production or operational procedures or sequences. | |
| Prepare fabrics or materials for processing or production. | |
| Program equipment to perform production tasks. | |
| Replace worn equipment components. | |
| Review blueprints or other instructions to determine operational methods or sequences. | |
| Sort recyclable materials. | |
| Test materials, solutions, or samples. | |
Knowledge Required
| Knowledge Required (in order of importance)
For the Top 5 most important - How can you build experience and skill doing these? This will help now, to begin preparing for this type of occupation. |
|
| Importance (%) | Description |
| Importance: 68 (%) | Description: Mathematics: Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications. |
| Importance: 65 (%) | Description: Mechanical: Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance. |
| Importance: 64 (%) | Description: Production and Processing: Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods. |
| Importance: 59 (%) | Description: Design: Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models. |
Essential Skills
| Essential Skills (in order of importance)
These are the foundational skills most central to success in this occupation. For the Top 5 most important, how can you begin building experience and confidence using these skills now? |
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| Importance (%) | Description |
| Importance: 52 (%) | Description: Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems. |
| Importance: 52 (%) | Description: Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action. |
Transferable Skills
| Transferable Skills (in order of importance)
These are skills that can transfer across occupations and industries. For the Top 5 most important, how can you strengthen these skills now so they support both this career and future career flexibility? |
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| Importance (%) | Description |
| Importance: 54 (%) | Description: Operation and Control: Controlling operations of equipment or systems. |
| Importance: 52 (%) | Description: Operations Monitoring: Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly. |
Day-in-the-Life Summaries
| Day-in-the-Life Summaries These summaries show the main types of activities you are likely to perform on a regular basis in this occupation. How can you imagine your typical workday — using these examples to see if this type of work fits you? |
| Activity: Advise others on business or operational matters. |
| Activity: Assemble equipment or components. |
| Activity: Communicate with others about operational plans or activities. |
| Activity: Create visual designs or displays. |
| Activity: Design industrial systems or equipment. |
| Activity: Determine operational methods or procedures. |
| Activity: Diagnose system or equipment problems. |
| Activity: Disassemble equipment. |
| Activity: Dispose of waste or debris. |
| Activity: Join parts using soldering, welding, or brazing techniques. |
| Activity: Maintain tools or equipment. |
| Activity: Measure physical characteristics of materials, products, or equipment. |
| Activity: Monitor equipment operation. |
| Activity: Operate cutting or grinding equipment. |
| Activity: Operate industrial processing or production equipment. |
| Activity: Plan work activities. |
| Activity: Position materials or components for assembly. |
| Activity: Position workpieces or materials on equipment. |
| Activity: Prepare industrial materials for processing or use. |
| Activity: Program computer systems or production equipment. |
| Activity: Read documents or materials to inform work processes. |
| Activity: Repair tools or equipment. |
| Activity: Set up equipment. |
| Activity: Sort materials or products. |
| Activity: Test characteristics of materials or products. |
| Activity: Test performance of equipment or systems. |
Software Skills
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Software Skills These are examples of software tools commonly used in this occupation, organized from most to least important for your career preparation. How can you start learning or practicing the highest-priority tools so that you feel confident using them on the job? |
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| Widely Used Tech Skills | ||||||||
| Computer aided manufacturing CAM software: | ||||||||
| Mastercam computer-aided design and manufacturing software | ||||||||
| Object or component oriented development software: | ||||||||
| G-code | ||||||||
| Emerging Tech Skills | ||||||||
| Computer aided design CAD software: | ||||||||
| Autodesk AutoCAD | ||||||||
| Computer aided manufacturing CAM software: | ||||||||
| Dassault Systemes SolidWorks | ||||||||
| Electronic mail software: | ||||||||
| Microsoft Outlook | ||||||||
| Enterprise resource planning ERP software: | ||||||||
| SAP software | ||||||||
| Office suite software: | ||||||||
| Microsoft Office software | ||||||||
| Presentation software: | ||||||||
| Microsoft PowerPoint | ||||||||
| Spreadsheet software: | ||||||||
| Microsoft Excel | ||||||||
| Word processing software: | ||||||||
| Microsoft Word | ||||||||
| General Software Tools | ||||||||
| Analytical or scientific software: | ||||||||
| Armchair Machinist software CNC Consulting Machinists' Calculator Kentech Kipware Trig Kalculator | ||||||||
| Computer aided design CAD software (scroll table below): | ||||||||
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| Computer aided manufacturing CAM software (scroll table below): | ||||||||
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| Enterprise resource planning ERP software: | ||||||||
| ERP software JobBOSS | ||||||||
| Industrial control software: | ||||||||
| EditCNC Mazak Mazatrol SMART CNC | ||||||||
| Procedure management software: | ||||||||
| Hexagon Metrology PC-DMIS |
Preparation Required
| Preparation Required - How much preparation is needed to obtain this type of job? |
| Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed |
| Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job. |
| Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree. |
| Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations. |
| These occupations usually involve using communication and organizational skills to coordinate, supervise, manage, or train others to accomplish goals. Examples include hydroelectric production managers, desktop publishers, electricians, agricultural technicians, barbers, court reporters and simultaneous captioners, and medical assistants. |
Education Required
| Education Required - by frequency of educational attainment This shows you details about the level of education most commonly held by workers in this occupation. How can you begin planning the educational pathway that will prepare you best for this type of work? |
|
| Frequency of Attainment (%) | Level of Education |
| Frequency of Attainment: 35.9 (%) | Level of Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED) |
| Frequency of Attainment: 33.1 (%) | Level of Education: Post-Secondary Certificate - awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in agriculture or natural resources, computer services, personal or culinary services, engineering technologies, healthcare, construction trades, mechanic and repair technologies, or precision production) |
| Frequency of Attainment: 17.3 (%) | Level of Education: Some College Courses |
| Frequency of Attainment: 13.6 (%) | Level of Education: Less than a High School Diploma |
Training and Experience Required
| Training and Experience Required - by frequency of training and work experience attainment This section shows you how often different types of training and work experience are required for this occupation. How can you start gaining the kinds of experience and training that are most common for this type of work? |
|
| Frequency of Attainment (%) | Level of Training and Work Experience |
| Frequency of Attainment: 20.2 (%) | Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years |
| Frequency of Attainment: 19.7 (%) | Level of Training and Work Experience: None |
| Frequency of Attainment: 16.4 (%) | Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years |
| Frequency of Attainment: 14.6 (%) | Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 4 years, up to and including 6 years |
| Frequency of Attainment: 9.8 (%) | Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 3 months, up to and including 6 months |
| Frequency of Attainment: 7.5 (%) | Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 10 years |
| Frequency of Attainment: 4.8 (%) | Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 6 months, up to and including 1 year |
| Frequency of Attainment: 3.9 (%) | Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 1 month, up to and including 3 months |
| Frequency of Attainment: 3.1 (%) | Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 8 years, up to and including 10 years |
Local Salary Information
Select a State (scroll and Select) :
Please select a State to see State and National Salaries
Certifications
| Certifications These are examples of certifications that may be important for this occupation. How can you begin exploring which certifications fit your goals and what steps you would need to take to earn them? |
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Certified Measurement and Verification Professional
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Certified Metalworking Fluids Specialist
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Machining Level I - Job Planning, Benchwork, and Layout
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Metalforming Level I
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Stamping Level II - Compound Dies
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Stamping Level II - Operate with Deep Draw Dies II
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Stamping Level II - Operate with Progressive Dies II
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Stamping Level II - Operate with Single Hit Tooling II
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Stamping Level III - Setup with Compound Dies III
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Stamping Level III - Setup with Deep Draw Dies III
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Stamping Level III - Setup with Progressive Dies III
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Stamping Setup & Operations III (Single Hit Tooling)
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Professional Associations
| Professional Associations These associations connect people who work in this occupation or related fields. How can you start using these associations to learn more, build your network, or find mentoring opportunities? |
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National Tooling and Machining Association (NTMA)
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Job Listings
Related Careers to Consider
Step 4 of 4: Career-Specific Resources (detailed and constantly updated)
This section contains detailed resources appropriate to "Machinists". Explore these resources to start learning more. Links are constantly updated, so bookmark this page.
Videos
Here is a listing of videos related to this career. A great way to get a quick overview of the occupation.
Resumes
Here are resources that allow you to see example resumes for this occupation. It may be helpful to see examples from others who have this type of experience.
Job Description
Here are resources that provide job descriptions, which are vital for resume and interview preparation.
Interviews
There are many great resources that can help guide you through the interview process. These links provide help in preparing and performing an effective interview, specific to this occupation.
Step-by-Step
Here are links to help guide you, step-by-step, to become a(n): Machinists
LinkedIn®
Here are links to various posts and groups from LinkedIn ® that relate to this occupation. Great way to start building professional contacts in the field that might be most appropriate for you.
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