Uses lathes, mills, and CNC machines to cut metal parts to tiny tolerances.
You set up a CNC mill, cut an aircraft part, and measure it with a micrometer to a ten-thousandth of an inch.
Certificate, about 1 year after high school. Machining program at a trade school or community college, or an apprenticeship.
Ways in: Trade school, Apprenticeship, 2-year college, Military. Training cost: Under $15k.
Majors to look at: Machine Tool Technology, Precision Machining.
Growing about average (about 3% over 10 years).
Low risk in 5 years, medium in 10. AI CAM and cobots load and program more machines, so shops need fewer operators but still value skilled machinists.
Classes: Geometry, Machine shop CTE, Physics, CAD.
Official data: O*NET occupation 51-4041.
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