Machinist
Manufacturing · $58,750 median · ~3 months to start, up to ~4 years training · Structurally ineligible for Workforce Pell
How we know this
The wage and outlook figures are verified against the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS/OOH 2025), last reviewed August 20, 2026. We show our sources so you can check every number yourself.
Honest tradeoffs
bls projects decline
BLS projects -3% growth 2024-2034 for machinist occupation — the first DECLINE in the NotCollege corpus. CNC automation, factory automation, and offshoring are real factors. General production machining shrinks while specialty work grows.
automation displacement general production
General CNC production work faces material displacement risk over 5-10 years. Lights-out manufacturing (unattended CNC operations) is operationally real at many manufacturers. AI-augmented CAM programming reduces programmer hours per part.
Wages
Earnings by career stage
range · estimatedResearched estimates by experience level, setting, and region — see the full breakdown below. The BLS median is the one figure verified directly against bls.gov.
Pay by stage & setting
- Entry machinist $33-42K at general manufacturing
- Experienced general machinist $48-62K
- CNC operator/programmer $55-72K
- Precision machinist (aerospace, medical devices) $62-85K+
- Tool & die maker $65-90K (separate SOC 51-4111 — closely related advancement)
- Mold maker $60-85K
- Senior CNC programmer / specialty $75-105K+
- Manufacturing engineer (sometimes via experience without degree) $85-115K+. Wage variation primarily driven by specialty (aerospace, medical devices, defense, semiconductor) vs general manufacturing. Defense and aerospace markets pay significantly more than commercial/general work.
Workforce Pell eligibility
Not eligible for Workforce Pell
Training
That's a wide span on purpose: you can start working after a short pre-apprenticeship or entry course, while the longer figure reflects a full apprenticeship. The career ladder below breaks the journey into steps.
Ways in
Paid, on-the-job training combined with classroom hours — you get a wage from day one instead of paying tuition.
Common sponsors: NIMS (National Institute for Metalworking Skills), IAM (International Association of Machinists), Manufacturer apprenticeships (Boeing, Lockheed Martin, GE Aerospace, Pratt & Whitney, Caterpillar, John Deere), ABC (non-union), Community college consortiums
An associate degree or certificate — usually the fastest accredited credential, far cheaper than a four-year school, and often Workforce Pell–eligible.
Credentials you'll earnwith typical prep time
NIMS certifications (CNC Mill, CNC Lathe, Manual Mill, Manual Lathe, Grinding, EDM)
NIMS
Industry-standard credentialing; portable across employers; preferred at most manufacturers.
Source ↗Cost vs. payoff
- Training cost
- Free–$25,000
- Training pays for itself in
- about 5 months
The low end is the cheapest route in — a paid apprenticeship, community college, or employer-paid program (sometimes free); the high end is a private or for-profit school. The range is about which route you take, not extra certifications.
Getting started — your first moves
- 1
Find an apprenticeship
Apply to a registered apprenticeship — you earn a paycheck from day one while you train, instead of paying tuition.
- 2
Earn your first credential
Study for and pass the NIMS certifications (CNC Mill, CNC Lathe, Manual Mill, Manual Lathe, Grinding, EDM).
- 3
Get hired and grow
Land an entry role and start building experience — pay climbs as you move up the career ladder above.
See it where you live
The figures above are national. Pay and programs vary a lot by state — pick yours and we'll send you straight to the official local data, no guessing.
Career ladder
CNC Operator (entry)
Entry$41,000Entry; production operation; foundation for advancement
Training: 12-15 week CNC operator cert + NIMS Operator-level
Journey Machinist (setup + production)
Year 3$56,000Skilled machinist; setup capability
Training: NIMS Mill + Lathe + Setup credentials + 2-3 years experience
CNC Programmer / Precision Machinist
Year 6$75,000Senior tech tier; specialty work pays premium
Training: CAM mastery + 5-axis programming + advanced NIMS + aerospace/medical device experience
Senior Programmer / Tool & Die / Manufacturing Engineer
Year 12$100,000Ceiling tier; specialty pays significantly above general machining
Training: Specialty depth + leadership + sometimes BS Manufacturing Engineering
In your state
State licensure
No state-specific licensure requirements documented in corpus.
Data limitations
- • BLS OEWS May 2025 detail tables not yet pushed
- • Wage direct verification recommended
- • Per-state and per-MSA machinist wage tables
- • Manufacturer apprenticeship details + cohort sizes
Common questions
How much does a Machinist make?
The median wage is $58,750 per year (BLS OEWS 2025). Most earn between $39,200 and $80,010. Actual pay varies by region, employer, and experience.
How long does it take to become a Machinist?
Typical training runs about 3 months to get started, and up to about 4 years to reach the top of the field. This is a non-degree path — no four-year college degree is required. Many people earn a paid wage during an apprenticeship instead of paying tuition.
Do you need a college degree to become a Machinist?
No. Machinist is a non-degree career path — you qualify through training, certification, and/or on-the-job experience rather than a four-year degree.
Is Machinist eligible for Workforce Pell funding?
Not structurally — the typical program runs longer than the federal Workforce Pell hour cap, so it generally won't qualify for Workforce Pell. Other financial aid may still apply.
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