Machining Tool Operators

(NOC 9417)

in All Manufacturing and Utilities

Machining tool operators set up and use or tend metal-cutting machines designed for repetitive machining work. They work for metal products and other manufacturing companies and in machine shops. This group also includes workers who etch or chemically mill metal pieces.

Job Outlook

Undetermined

Read more

  • Estimate change in employment not available for this occupation.
  • Estimate 0 openings due to growth and retirements, 2021-2023
  • Estimate rate of unemployment not available for this occupation.

Compared to: All Manufacturing and Utilities

  • Estimate 435 employment change, 2021-2023
  • Estimate 1945 openings due to growth and retirements, 2021-2023
  • Estimate rate of unemployment not available for these occupation.

Hourly Pay

N/A

Minimum

N/A

Median

N/A

Maximum

Annual Pay

N/A

Minimum

$34,276

Median

N/A

Maximum

Compared to: All Manufacturing and Utilities

Hourly Pay

$14.00

Minimum

$20.80

Median

$33.00

Maximum

Annual Pay

$6,056

Minimum

$30,111

Median

$70,518

Maximum

About the job

Nature of work

Machining tool operators set up and use or tend metal-cutting machines designed for repetitive machining work. They work for metal products and other manufacturing companies and in machine shops. This group also includes workers who etch or chemically mill metal pieces.

Job duties

Machining tool operators:

  • Study job orders and interpret blueprints to decide what machining operations to do.
  • Set up and use machine tools to perform repetitive machining operations like turning, milling, drilling, boring, planing, honing, broaching, and grinding.
  • Verify dimensions of parts machined using micrometers, callipers and other precision measuring instruments.
  • Prepare etching solution and dip metal parts or workpiece in etching solution to get rid of unwanted parts.
  • Maintain equipment and machinery.
  • May enter codes specifying speed, feed and cut of the toolpath for computer numerical controlled (CNC) machine tools.

Sample job titles

  • aircraft parts etcher
  • boring mill operator
  • computer numerical control (CNC) machining tool operator
  • lathe machining operator
  • machining tool operator
  • mulling machine set-up operator
  • production gear cutter
  • production grinder operator
  • radial drill operator

Skills

  • You should be responsible, alert, and in good physical health. Coordination, agility, and a mechanical ability are important. You must be accurate and pay attention to detail. You must also be able to take direction and carry out instructions given by a supervisor.

Job requirements

  • High school may be necessary.
  • College or other courses in machining may be needed.
  • Several months of on-the-job training are provided.
  • Senior positions in this unit group like set-up operator require experience as a machine operator.

Other considerations

  • Shiftwork is common in these jobs. Experienced machining tool operators may become machinists or tool and die makers through apprenticeship training.

By the numbers

Quick look

< 50

employed in 2016

75.0%

employed full-time

25.0%

self employed

0.0%
Icons/female Created with Sketch.
100%
Icons/male Created with Sketch.
35.3

median age

Compared to: All Manufacturing and Utilities

15,275

employed in 2016

83.2%

employed full-time

3.2%

self employed

27.6%
Icons/female Created with Sketch.
72.4%
Icons/male Created with Sketch.
44.7

median age

Where will I likely work?

25.0%

Southern

N/A
25.0%

North Shore

N/A
25.0%

Cape Breton

N/A
25.0%

Halifax

N/A

Compared to: All NS Occupations

47.0%

Halifax

15.6%

North Shore

12.9%

Annapolis Valley

12.7%

Cape Breton

11.8%

Southern

Top Industries of Employment

75.0%

Manufacturing

25.0%

Construction

What is the age of Employment?

25.0%

45-54

25.0%

15-24

25.0%

25-34

25.0%

35-44

Compared to: All Manufacturing and Utilities

24.5%

45-54

20.8%

55-64

19.3%

35-44

16.5%

25-34

15.0%

15-24

Top levels of education

62.5%

College Diploma

N/A
25.0%

High school

N/A

Compared to: All Manufacturing and Utilities

38.1%

High school

$28,505 median annual income
23.3%

Less than high school

$19,224 median annual income
19.9%

College Diploma

$38,781 median annual income
12.2%

Trade Certification

$43,975 median annual income
4.5%

Bachelor

$39,715 median annual income

Education & training

High School Diploma or Equivalent

High School Program

Adults without a high school diploma can contact the Nova Scotia School for Adult Learning (NSSAL) for tuition-free programming across the province. NSSAL oversees adult education programs in Nova Scotia. NSSAL partners with the Nova Scotia Community College, Adult High Schools, Université Sainte-Anne, and community-based learning organizations to deliver programs. NSSAL offers clear, accessible pathways from adult basic education to a high school credential or GED.

Institutions providing this program

Universite Sainte-Anne

Pointe-de-l'Église, NS

Nova Scotia Community College

Various, NS

Adult High Schools

Various, NS

Community Learning Organizations

Various, NS

Machine Tool Technology/Machinist - Pre-apprenticeship College Program

College or Trades Program

These programs prepare students to apply technical knowledge and skills to plan, manufacture, assemble, test, and repair parts, mechanisms, machines, and structures in which materials are cast, formed, shaped, moulded, heat treated, cut, twisted, pressed, fused, stamped or worked.

Institutions providing this program

Nova Scotia Community College

Various, NS

Employment requirements & contacts

No regulating bodies were found under this occupation profile

Contacts

Additional resources

There are no additional resources for this occupation.