Overview
Responsibilities
T-A-S-K
Education
Income & Employability
Video Resources
Related Careers

Description

Construct, assemble, or rebuild machines, such as engines, turbines, and similar equipment used in such industries as construction, extraction, textiles, and paper manufacturing.

Interests

  • Realistic
  • Conventional

Learn More about Interests

Work Values

  • Support
  • Relationships
  • Independence

Learn More about Work Values

Work Styles

  • Attention to Detail
  • Cooperation
  • Integrity
  • Dependability
  • Independence

Learn More about Work Styles

Tasks

  • Read and interpret assembly blueprints or specifications manuals, and plan assembly or building operations.
  • Inspect, operate, and test completed products to verify functioning, machine capabilities, or conformance to customer specifications.
  • Position or align components for assembly, manually or using hoists.
  • Set and verify parts clearances.
  • Verify conformance of parts to stock lists or blueprints, using measuring instruments such as calipers, gauges, or micrometers.

Work Activities

  • Controlling Machines and Processes
  • Handling and Moving Objects
  • Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials
  • Performing General Physical Activities
  • Getting Information

Detailed Work Activities

  • Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
  • Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
  • Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
  • 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.
  • Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
  • Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
  • Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
  • Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
  • Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
  • Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.

Technology Skills

  • Computer aided design CAD software
  • Spreadsheet software
  • Enterprise resource planning ERP software
  • Office suite software
  • Word processing software

Abilities

  • Arm-Hand Steadiness
  • Manual Dexterity
  • Finger Dexterity
  • Near Vision
  • Visualization

Skills

  • Operations Monitoring
  • Quality Control Analysis
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Active Listening
  • Critical Thinking

Knowledge

  • Mechanical
  • Production and Processing
  • Customer and Personal Service
  • Engineering and Technology

Most Common Education Level

The “Most Common Education Level” refers to the level of education held by the majority of workers in a given occupation. For example, if the highest percentage of workers in a role have an Associate’s Degree, that suggests this is the typical educational requirement. Knowing this helps you plan how many years of education you may need to pursue that career.

Certificates

Certifying Organization

National Institute for Metalworking Skills

Type

Advanced

Certifying Organization

National Institute for Metalworking Skills

Type

Advanced

Certificate name

Master Engine Machinist

Certifying Organization

National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence

Type

Advanced

Income Percentile

The income percentiles show how earnings are distributed within a profession. The 10th percentile means that 10% of workers earned less than that amount. The median (50th percentile) indicates that half of workers earned more, and half earned less. The 90th percentile reflects what the top 10% of earners in the field make.

Income PercentileAnnual Income
Low (10%)$40,339
Median (50%)$48,578
High (90%)$54,679

Income by Experience

This table shows how income typically grows with experience—from entry level (0–2 years), to mid-level (3–5 years), to senior level (6–8 years), to expert level (8+ years).

ExperienceIncome
Entry Level $47,813
Mid Level $54,146
Senior Level $60,198
Expert Level $61,624

Employability

There are currently 49,000 jobs in this career path. Over the next 10 years, that number is expected to decrease to 38,600 positions, reflecting a projected decline of -21%.

The Projected Job Growth figure refers to the expected increase or decrease in employment within a specific career field over a certain period of time.

Projected Job Growth of -21%

Related Careers

The career information and data on this site incorporates information from O*NET Web Services, Lightcast, CareerOneStop, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). For more details regarding the data sources and the specific information sourced, click here.

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