Machinists build operation and control, operations monitoring and quality control analysis skills that carry over to other work. Below are 25 careers ranked by how closely their skills match, with pay from BLS May 2025. The closest match is Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators (88%).
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
Sorted by skill match.
| # | Career | Skill match | Median pay | Pay change | Extra education |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators | 88% | $50,690 | −14% | None |
| 2 | Industrial Machinery Mechanics | 85% | $64,520 | +10% | None |
| 3 | Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers | 83% | $65,380 | +11% | None |
| 4 | Engine and Other Machine Assemblers | 83% | $53,710 | −9% | None |
| 5 | Millwrights | 81% | $65,700 | +12% | None |
| 6 | Photonics Technicians | 79% | $78,350Pay for the broader BLS group “Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other” | Not compared | None |
| 7 | Control and Valve Installers and Repairers, Except Mechanical Door | 79% | $74,340 | +27% | None |
| 8 | Maintenance Workers, Machinery | 79% | $60,850 | +4% | None |
| 9 | Automotive Engineering Technicians | 79% | $74,510Pay for the broader BLS group “Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians” | Not compared | None |
| 10 | Hydroelectric Plant Technicians | 78% | $102,040Pay for the broader BLS group “Power Plant Operators” | Not compared | None |
Compared with Machinists, median $58,750. Skill match is our estimate (0–99) from O*NET 31.0 skills, knowledge, work activities and interests, adjusted for preparation and big pay drops. Pay: BLS OEWS May 2025, national median.
How important each skill is in work as machinists (O*NET importance, scale 1–5).
The gaps that show up most often across your top 10 matches.
Free and low-cost training: use the CareerOneStop training finder below.
A concrete first step, the skills to add, and the hard parts of each job, from O*NET 31.0 education, training and work context data.
88% skill match · $50,690 · −14% pay
Operations Monitoring · Operation and Control · Operations Analysis
85% skill match · $64,520 · +10% pay
Equipment Maintenance · Repairing · Troubleshooting
83% skill match · $65,380 · +11% pay
Installation · Management of Financial Resources · Instructing
If you want to stay close to what you do now, these roles are the nearest.
The closest matches are Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators (88% skill match, median $50,690), Industrial Machinery Mechanics (85% skill match, median $64,520) and Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers (83% skill match, median $65,380), based on O*NET 31.0 data and BLS May 2025 pay.
Among the 25 matches, 17 pay more than machinists at the median. The biggest increases: Elevator and Escalator Installers and Repairers (+87%, $109,910), Electrical and Electronics Installers and Repairers, Transportation Equipment (+44%, $84,890) and Avionics Technicians (+40%, $82,280).
25 of the 25 matches usually need no more education than you have now, based on O*NET Job Zones.
We compare the importance of skills, knowledge, work activities and interests in O*NET 31.0 for your job and every other career, then adjust for extra preparation and big pay drops. The full method is on our Methodology page.