Career Explorer Production
Human edge, steady
Machinists
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.
In the middle of the pack: more resilient than 52% of the 831 careers we score. AI exposure is low (the Bureau of Labor Statistics rates it moderate), and US jobs are projected to change by +1.0% by 2035, slower than average. The work leans on physical dexterity.
AI struggles with much of this work. Hiring is expected to grow slower than average, or to shrink.
- Median pay (2025)
- $58,750
- Job growth to 2035
- +1.0%
- Openings a year
- 26,100
- People doing it (2025)
- 288,000
- Usual route in
- High school diploma, then long on-the-job training
Where people already use AI for this work
- Measure physical characteristics of materials, products, or equipment
- Communicate with others about operational plans or activities
- Advise others on business or operational matters
From Microsoft Research, Working with AI (2025).
Work AI rarely helps with
- Operate industrial processing or production equipment
- Operate cutting or grinding equipment
- Monitor equipment operation
What the work looks like
- Calculate dimensions or tolerances, using instruments, such as micrometers or vernier calipers.
- Machine parts to specifications, using machine tools, such as lathes, milling machines, shapers, or grinders.
- Measure, examine, or test completed units to check for defects and ensure conformance to specifications, using precision instruments, such as micrometers.
- Set up, adjust, or operate basic or specialized machine tools used to perform precision machining operations.
- Program computers or electronic instruments, such as numerically controlled machine tools.
From O*NET 31.0, US Department of Labor.
Careers using similar strengths, with a stronger outlook
- Food processing workers, all otherHuman edge, growing, Index 86, +5.5%
- Production workers, all otherHuman edge, steady, Index 79, +0.8%
- Electrical, electronic, and electromechanical assemblers, except coil winders, tapers, and finishersHuman edge, growing, Index 73, +5.0%
- Woodworkers, all otherHuman edge, steady, Index 55, -2.3%
Also known as: CNC Machinist (Computer Numeric Controlled Machinist), Machinist, Maintenance Machinist, Tool Room Machinist, CNC Machinist (Computer Numerically Controlled Machinist), Gear Machinist, Machine Repair Person, Manual Lathe Machinist.
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Sources: US Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections 2025 to 2035; O*NET 31.0; Microsoft Research (2025); Anthropic Economic Index (2026); Eloundou and colleagues (Science, 2024); Felten, Raj and Seamans (2023). How we score. Updated 12 October 2026.