CNC Machinist
CNC Machinist
Career Overview
CNC Machinists (Computer Numerical Control) use computer-controlled machines to cut, shape, and finish metal and other materials into precise parts. They set up machines, read drawings, check measurements, and make parts used in manufacturing, aerospace, automotive, and other industries.
Education
A high school diploma or equivalent is a common starting point. Many CNC machinists learn through a machining, manufacturing, or precision machining program, technical training, or an apprenticeship that combines classroom learning with hands-on training. Courses in mathematics, machining, technical drawing, CAD, and computer-controlled manufacturing can provide useful preparation.
Work Environment
CNC machinists usually work in machine shops and manufacturing facilities. They may operate several machines, use measuring tools, and work around noise, metal chips, coolants, and machinery. Safety equipment and careful attention to detail are important.
Future Outlook
CNC machining will remain important in manufacturing, aerospace, automotive, medical equipment, and other industries. Automation, robotics, CAD, and advanced computer-controlled machines are changing how parts are made. Machinists who can program, set up, and work with advanced CNC equipment can be well prepared for future opportunities.
Recommended High School Courses
- Math
- Physics
- Computer-aided Design Competency
- Technical Drawing
- Manufacturing Technology
- Metal Working
- Active Learning - Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
- Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
- Complex Problem Solving - Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
- Coordination - Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
- Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
- Equipment Maintenance - Performing routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed.
- Equipment Selection - Determining the kind of tools and equipment needed to do a job.
- Judgment and Decision Making - Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
- Monitoring - Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
- Operation and Control - Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
- Operation Monitoring - Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
- Quality Control Analysis - Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
- Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
- Repairing - Repairing machines or systems using the needed tools.
- Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.
- Time Management - Managing one's own time and the time of others.
- Troubleshooting - Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.
- Chemistry - Knowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances and of the chemical processes and transformations that they undergo. This includes uses of chemicals and their interactions, danger signs, production techniques, and disposal methods.
- Computers and Electronics - Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
- Design - Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
- Engineering and Technology - Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
- English Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
- Mathematics - Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
- Mechanical - Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
- Physics - Knowledge and prediction of physical principles, laws, their interrelationships, and applications to understanding fluid, material, and atmospheric dynamics, and mechanical, electrical, atomic and sub- atomic structures and processes.
- Production and Processing - Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
- Arm-Hand Steadiness - The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.
- Auditory Attention - The ability to focus on a single source of sound in the presence of other distracting sounds.
- Category Flexibility - The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.
- Control Precision - The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.
- Deductive Reasoning - The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
- Depth Perception - The ability to judge which of several objects is closer or farther away from you, or to judge the distance between you and an object.
- Far Vision - The ability to see details at a distance.
- Finger Dexterity - The ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects.
- Flexibility of Closure - The ability to identify or detect a known pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in other distracting material.
- Hearing Sensitivity - The ability to detect or tell the differences between sounds that vary in pitch and loudness.
- Inductive Reasoning - The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
- Information Ordering - The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
- Manual Dexterity - The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
- Mathematical Reasoning - The ability to choose the right mathematical methods or formulas to solve a problem.
- Multilimb Coordination - The ability to coordinate two or more limbs (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while sitting, standing, or lying down. It does not involve performing the activities while the whole body is in motion.
- Near Vision - The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
- Number Facility - The ability to add, subtract, multiply, or divide quickly and correctly.
- Oral Comprehension - The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
- Oral Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
- Perceptual Speed - The ability to quickly and accurately compare similarities and differences among sets of letters, numbers, objects, pictures, or patterns. The things to be compared may be presented at the same time or one after the other. This ability also includes comparing a presented object with a remembered object.
- Problem Sensitivity - The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
- Rate Control - The ability to time your movements or the movement of a piece of equipment in anticipation of changes in the speed and/or direction of a moving object or scene.
- Reaction Time - The ability to quickly respond (with the hand, finger, or foot) to a signal (sound, light, picture) when it appears.
- Selective Attention - The ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted.
- Speech Clarity - The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
- Speech Recognition - The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
- Speed of Closure - The ability to quickly make sense of, combine, and organize information into meaningful patterns.
- Static Strength - The ability to exert maximum muscle force to lift, push, pull, or carry objects.
- Trunk Strength - The ability to use your abdominal and lower back muscles to support part of the body repeatedly or continuously over time without 'giving out' or fatiguing.
- Visual Color Discrimination - The ability to match or detect differences between colors, including shades of color and brightness.
- Visualization - The ability to imagine how something will look after it is moved around or when its parts are moved or rearranged.
- Written Comprehension - The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
- Written Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
- Measure dimensions of completed products or workpieces to verify conformance to specifications.
- Install mechanical components in production equipment.
- Mount attachments or tools onto production equipment.
- Mount materials or workpieces onto production equipment.
- Enter commands, instructions, or specifications into equipment.
- Remove products or workpieces from production equipment.
- Program equipment to perform production tasks.
- Monitor lubrication of equipment or workpieces.
- Study blueprints or other instructions to determine equipment setup requirements.
- Replace worn equipment components.
- Remove accessories, tools, or other parts from equipment.
- Monitor equipment operation to ensure proper functioning.
- Watch operating equipment to detect malfunctions.
- Adjust equipment controls to regulate flow of production materials or products.
- Calculate specific material, equipment, or labor requirements for production.
- Lift materials or workpieces using cranes or other lifting equipment.
- Set equipment controls to meet cutting specifications.
- Stack finished items for further processing or shipment.
- Adjust equipment controls to regulate coolant flow.
- Maintain production or processing equipment.
- Confer with others to resolve production problems or equipment malfunctions.
- Clean production equipment.
- Draw guide lines or markings on materials or workpieces using patterns or other references.
- Load materials into production equipment.
- Test electrical equipment or systems to ensure proper functioning.
Schools
Bakersfield College- Pano...
Central Arizona College
Clackamas Community Colle...
College Of Lake County
Daytona State College
Des Moines Area Community...
Ferris State University
Greenville Technical Coll...
Hillsborough Community Co...
Lake Technical College- E...
Lewis And Clark State Col...
Minneapolis Community And...
Montana State University-...
St. Philip’s College- Mar...
Suny Corning Community Co...
Suny Erie Community Colle...
Suny Jamestown Community...
Western Technical College
College Of The North A...
Conestoga College- Cam...
George Brown College-...
Grand Prairie Regional...
Metro College Of Techn...
Mohawk College- Stoney...
New Brunswick Communit...
Northern Alberta Insti...
Seneca College- Newnha...
Stanford International...
Approx Salary Expectation
Low End:
$39,000.00 /yr
Avg/Med:
$59,000.00 /yr
High End:
$80,000.00 /yr
Related Careers
References
Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/.
Trend Analysis - Explorer the Market, Labour Market Information, Government of Canada https://www.jobbank.gc.ca/trend-analysis.
WorkBC's Career Trek, http://www.careertrekbc.ca/.
O*NET OnLine, National Center for O*NET Development, https://www.onetonline.org/.
Trend Analysis - Explorer the Market, Labour Market Information, Government of Canada https://www.jobbank.gc.ca/trend-analysis.
WorkBC's Career Trek, http://www.careertrekbc.ca/.
O*NET OnLine, National Center for O*NET Development, https://www.onetonline.org/.