Jobs Similar to Machinists
The careers below use the most similar skills, knowledge and work activities to machinists, according to O*NET 31.0. The closest are Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators, Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic and Engine and Other Machine Assemblers.
Machinists: $58,750 median pay · usual preparation: Training or associate.
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
The 20 most similar careers
- 1Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators
83% similar · $50,690 (−14%) · High school
- 2Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
82% similar · $52,800 (−10%) · High school · Same group
- 3Engine and Other Machine Assemblers
82% similar · $53,710 (−9%) · High school
- 4Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
82% similar · $49,080 (−16%) · High school · Same group
- 5Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
82% similar · $44,350 (−25%) · High school · Same group
- 6Industrial Machinery Mechanics
81% similar · $64,520 (+10%) · Training or associate
- 7Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
81% similar · $49,030 (−17%) · High school · Same group
- 8Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
81% similar · $46,330 (−21%) · High school · Same group
- 9Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
80% similar · $47,180 (−20%) · High school · Same group
- 10Textile Cutting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
80% similar · $38,760 (−34%) · High school
- 11Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
80% similar · $46,550 (−21%) · High school · Same group
- 12Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners
80% similar · $50,060 (−15%) · High school · Same group
- 13Rolling Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
80% similar · $50,140 (−15%) · High school · Same group
- 14Photonics Technicians
79% similar · $78,350 (broader group) · Training or associate
- 15Tool and Die Makers
79% similar · $64,050 (+9%) · Training or associate · Same group
- 16Control and Valve Installers and Repairers, Except Mechanical Door
79% similar · $74,340 (+27%) · Training or associate
- 17Maintenance Workers, Machinery
79% similar · $60,850 (+4%) · Training or associate
- 18Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
79% similar · $45,760 (−22%) · High school
- 19Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers
79% similar · $65,380 (+11%) · High school
- 20Automotive Engineering Technicians
79% similar · $74,510 (broader group) · Training or associate
Similarity: weighted correlation of O*NET 31.0 transferable skills (35%), knowledge (25%), work activities (15%) and interests (15%). Pay and schooling do not change it. Pay change compares BLS May 2025 national medians; careers with only a broader BLS group wage are not compared. “Same group”: the same BLS occupation group (SOC minor group). Methodology
Similar jobs that pay more
Only careers that usually need no more preparation than machinists.
- Control and Valve Installers and Repairers, Except Mechanical Door79% similar · $74,340 (+27%)
- Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers79% similar · $65,380 (+11%)
- Industrial Machinery Mechanics81% similar · $64,520 (+10%)
- Tool and Die Makers79% similar · $64,050 (+9%)
- Maintenance Workers, Machinery79% similar · $60,850 (+4%)
Similar jobs that need less preparation
- Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators83% similar · High school
- Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic82% similar · High school
- Engine and Other Machine Assemblers82% similar · High school
- Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic82% similar · High school
- Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic82% similar · High school
- Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic81% similar · High school
Thinking of a career change?
Similar is not the same as a good next step. Our career-change list for machinists also weighs pay drops and extra schooling, and puts jobs outside the field first.
Jobs that can lead here
Careers where machinists is one of the best career-change matches (match score in brackets).
- Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators (88)
- Engine and Other Machine Assemblers (81)
- Industrial Machinery Mechanics (81)
- Automotive Engineering Technicians (79)
- Maintenance Workers, Machinery (79)
- Millwrights (79)
- Photonics Technicians (79)
- Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers (78)
- Electric Motor, Power Tool, and Related Repairers (78)
- Hydroelectric Plant Technicians (78)
Questions about jobs like machinists
What jobs are most similar to machinists?
By O*NET 31.0 data, the closest are Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators (83% similar), Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic (82% similar), Engine and Other Machine Assemblers (82% similar), Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic (82% similar) and Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic (82% similar).
Which jobs like machinists pay more?
Among the 20 most similar careers, Control and Valve Installers and Repairers ($74,340, +27%; usually training or an associate degree), Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers ($65,380, +11%; usually a high school diploma) and Industrial Machinery Mechanics ($64,520, +10%; usually training or an associate degree) have the highest BLS median pay compared with machinists ($58,750). Without more preparation than machinists usually need: Control and Valve Installers and Repairers, Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers and Industrial Machinery Mechanics.
How is the similarity percentage worked out?
We compare how important each transferable skill, knowledge area, work activity and interest area is in both jobs (O*NET 31.0 ratings) with a weighted correlation. 100% would mean the same profile. Unlike our career-change matches, pay and extra schooling do not lower the similarity on this page.