Cutting metal and plastic into precise parts using lathes, mills and computer-controlled machines; the backbone of every engine, airplane and medical device.
Mid pay: solid pay, degree or apprenticeship
Tooling Engineer: Designs the custom molds, dies, jigs and fixtures that let a factory make the same part perfectly thousands of times. Typical pay $100k.
Cutting Tool Applications Engineer: Works for a tool company, visiting machine shops to pick the right drills, end mills and cutting speeds so customers make parts faster. Typical pay $95k.
Machine Shop Owner: Runs a small business that machines custom parts for other companies, from race cars to medical devices. Typical pay $95k.
CNC Programmer: Turns 3D part designs into the code that tells computer-controlled machines exactly how to cut metal or plastic. Typical pay $66k.
Tool and Die Maker: Builds the precision dies, molds and cutting tools that factories use to stamp, form and shape parts. Typical pay $63k.
Machinist: Uses lathes, mills and CNC machines to turn blocks of metal into precise parts for engines, aircraft and medical devices. Typical pay $56k.
Swiss-Type Lathe Machinist: Runs special high-precision lathes that make tiny parts like bone screws, watch pieces and electronic pins. Typical pay $60k.
EDM Machinist: Cuts super-hard metals using electric sparks (electrical discharge machining) instead of a blade. Typical pay $58k.
Metal Model Maker / Prototype Machinist: Builds one-of-a-kind prototypes and test models for engineers before a product goes into mass production. Typical pay $62k.
Machine Tool Applications Engineer: Works for a company that builds CNC machines, proving to customers that a new machine can make their parts faster and better. Typical pay $105k.
Gear Machinist: Cuts and grinds the precise gears inside wind turbines, helicopters, cars and heavy machines. Typical pay $58k.
Ultra-Precision Diamond Turning Machinist: Uses lathes with real diamond cutting tools to carve lenses and mirrors so smooth their bumps are smaller than a virus. Typical pay $70k.
Starter: fastest way in
Mold Maker: Builds and repairs the steel molds that shape plastic parts like toothbrush handles, LEGO-style bricks and car dashboards. Typical pay $51k.
CNC Machine Operator: Loads raw material into computer-controlled machines, runs the program and checks that each finished part is right. Typical pay $50k.
Lathe Operator: Sets up and runs lathes that spin metal while a tool shapes it into round parts like shafts and bolts. Typical pay $48k.
Milling Machine Operator: Runs milling machines that cut flat surfaces, slots and pockets into metal parts. Typical pay $48k.
Grinding Machine Operator: Runs machines that grind and polish metal parts to extremely smooth, exact finishes. Typical pay $44k.
Drill Press Operator: Sets up and runs machines that drill, bore and tap holes in metal parts. Typical pay $43k.
Plastic Injection Molding Operator: Runs machines that melt plastic pellets and inject them into molds to make everything from bottle caps to car parts. Typical pay $42k.
Tool & Cutter Grinder: Sharpens and remakes drills, end mills, saw blades and cutting tools to razor-sharp precision on special grinding machines. Typical pay $45k.
CNC Setup Technician: Gets CNC machines ready for each new job by loading tools, fixtures and programs, then proves out the first part. Typical pay $50k.
Waterjet Cutting Operator: Runs machines that cut stone, metal, glass and rubber with a stream of water and sand moving three times the speed of sound. Typical pay $46k.
Spring Maker: Sets up machines that bend wire into springs of every size, from the tiny ones in pens to giant ones in train cars. Typical pay $50k.
Gun Drill Operator: Drills long, perfectly straight holes deep into steel for oil tools, injection molds and rifle barrels. Typical pay $54k.
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