Loads, runs, and checks CNC machines making metal or plastic parts.
You load raw blocks of aluminum, start programs, and measure finished parts to catch any drift.
High school diploma, about 0 years after high school. On-the-job training or a short certificate.
Ways in: On-the-job training, Certification. Training cost: Get paid while you train.
Majors to look at: CNC Machining (certificate).
Growing about average (about 3% over 10 years).
Medium risk in 5 years, high in 10. Robot arms now load CNC machines and run lights-out shifts, so far fewer operators are needed per machine.
Age 18+. One way to start: Apply to machine shops and factories for CNC operator trainee jobs
Classes: Geometry, Machine shop CTE.
Official data: O*NET occupation 51-9161.
Career Universe is an early version. Pay, training and AI-risk figures are estimates to start your own research, not verified facts. The research was written with AI research assistants, checked by validation scripts and spot-checked by hand. Check anything important with schools, employers and official sources. How the numbers work.