Updated 2024 · Metalwork
How to Become a Machinist
Machinists set up and operate machine tools (lathes, milling machines, grinders) to produce precision metal parts for manufacturing, aerospace, and defense industries.
Steps to Become a Machinist
- Meet basic requirements, You must be at least 18 years old with a high school diploma or GED. A strong foundation in math, physics, and shop classes helps.
- Apply to an apprenticeship program, Machinist apprenticeships last 4 years and combine on-the-job training with classroom instruction. Apply through your local union (IBEW, UA, etc.) or a non-union contractor program. You earn while you learn from day one.
- Complete required training, Complete 8000 hours of on-the-job training and related classroom instruction.
- Earn certifications, Required certifications include: NIMS Machining certifications, CNC programming certifications, Blueprint reading certification.
- Pass the journeyman exam, After completing your apprenticeship, pass the journeyman licensing exam in your state to earn full journeyman status and pay.
What Does a Machinist Do?
Machinists set up and operate machine tools (lathes, milling machines, grinders) to produce precision metal parts for manufacturing, aerospace, and defense industries.
Daily Duties
- Read blueprints and engineering drawings
- Set up and operate CNC and manual machine tools
- Select cutting tools and materials
- Measure finished parts with micrometers and gauges
- Program CNC machines using G-code
Skills Needed
- CNC programming (G-code)
- Manual machining
- Precision measurement
- Blueprint reading
- Tooling selection
Required Certifications
- NIMS Machining certifications
- CNC programming certifications
- Blueprint reading certification
Machinist Salary (2024)
The national median machinist salary is $57,590 per year. Pay ranges from $47,640 in the lowest-paying metro to $73,790 in the highest-paying metro. See the full machinist salary breakdown by city.
Apprentice Pay Progression
Machinist apprentices earn while they learn, starting at approximately 40% of journeyman pay:
| Year | % of Journeyman | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 40% | $23,036 |
| Year 2 | 57% | $32,826 |
| Year 3 | 73% | $42,041 |
| Year 4 | 90% | $51,831 |
| Journeyman | 100% | $57,590 |
Union vs Non-Union Machinist Pay
Union machinists earn 19% more than non-union workers, $29.80/hour union vs $25.04/hour non-union. Approximately 13.9% of machinists are union members. See the full union vs non-union comparison.
Work Environment
Machinists work in machine shops and manufacturing plants. Work involves standing for long periods, exposure to cutting fluids, and noise from machinery. Clean-room work for aerospace/medical parts.
Career Outlook
Steady demand in aerospace, defense, and medical device manufacturing. CNC programming skills increasingly essential. Reshoring of manufacturing boosting domestic demand.
Frequently Asked Questions
The national median salary for a machinist is $57,590 per year (2024 BLS data). Pay ranges from $47,640 to $73,790 depending on location, with top earners in the 90th percentile making significantly more.
It takes 4 years to complete a machinist apprenticeship. During this time, you earn while you learn, starting at approximately 40-50% of journeyman wages and receiving annual raises.
No college degree is required to become a machinist. The primary path is through an apprenticeship program or trade school. You will need to earn specific certifications: NIMS Machining certifications and CNC programming certifications.
Machinist earns a Trade Pay Score grade of D, meaning it rates moderately on pay relative to cost of living, wage growth, and demand. Steady demand in aerospace, defense, and medical device manufacturing. CNC programming skills increasingly essential. Reshoring of manufacturing boosting domestic demand.
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