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Boston Career Explorer

Production

Engine and Other Machine Assemblers

Construct, assemble, or rebuild machines, such as engines, turbines, and similar equipment used in such industries as construction, extraction, textiles, and paper manufacturing.

Also called: Assembler, Assembly Line Worker, Cell Technician, Engine Assembler, Engine Builder, Field Service Technician

Median pay in Greater Boston
$48,990
$23.56/hr
Jobs in Greater Boston
310
Massachusetts 2024–2034
−14.9%
20 openings a year
Typical U.S. entry requirement
High school diploma or equivalent
plus Moderate-term on-the-job training

Greater Boston: Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area, May 2025. Growth and openings: Massachusetts statewide projection.

Pay range in Greater Boston

Yearly pay in Greater Boston by percentile
10th25thMedian75th90th
$38,940$46,150$48,990$61,940$90,630

10% of workers earn less than the first figure and 10% earn more than the last.

What you’d do

  • Read and interpret assembly blueprints or specifications manuals, and plan assembly or building operations.
  • Inspect, operate, and test completed products to verify functioning, machine capabilities, or conformance to customer specifications.
  • Position or align components for assembly, manually or using hoists.
  • Set and verify parts clearances.
  • Verify conformance of parts to stock lists or blueprints, using measuring instruments such as calipers, gauges, or micrometers.
  • Fasten or install piping, fixtures, or wiring and electrical components to form assemblies or subassemblies, using hand tools, rivet guns, or welding equipment.

AI and this job

AI exposure: how much of this job’s work AI tools can do or help with, based on national research. It is not a forecast of job loss.

Lower exposure12 of 100

The index averages three national research measures, each shown as a percentile of all jobs:

  • AIOE 18
  • Language-model AIOE 16
  • GPTs-are-GPTs 3

Observed AI use today: Little or none (Anthropic Economic Index)

AI exposure for this job is low, and observed AI use is little or none. AI tools may help with reading specs and planning assembly. Positioning parts and testing finished machines are still hands-on. Massachusetts employment is projected to fall 14.9% by 2034, and federal projections point to collaborative robots as a reason, so exploring related jobs may be wise.

Likely to change

  • Reading blueprints and planning assembly steps
  • Checking parts against stock lists

Still relies on people

  • Positioning and aligning components by hand
  • Testing finished machines for proper function

What federal projections say

“Productivity change - share decreases as an expected increase in the use of collaborative robotics in production increases efficiency, allowing more output to be produced with the same amount of labor.”
BLS Employment Projections 2025–35, factors affecting this job (U.S.)

Written with AI from the data on this page. Check with a career coach before making a decision.

Next steps from here

Related jobs that build on what you already do.

  • Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists

    You already know engines and inspect and test machines with precision tools. This job pays a Boston median of $75,770.

    Pay difference
    +$26,780 median
    AI exposure
    Lower
    MA growth
    +5.1%
    To get started
    High school diploma or equivalent

  • Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers

    Measuring and examining workpieces to meet specifications carries over directly. This job is learned with moderate on-the-job training and pays a Boston median of $63,770.

    Pay difference
    +$14,780 median
    AI exposure
    Lower
    MA growth
    +4.2%
    To get started
    High school diploma or equivalent

  • Structural Iron and Steel Workers

    Reading blueprints and checking alignment builds on your assembly skills. This apprenticeship offers a Boston median pay of $120,840.

    Pay difference
    +$71,850 median
    AI exposure
    Lower
    MA growth
    +6.1%
    To get started
    High school diploma or equivalent

Training near Boston

College and school programs in the Boston metro area that lead to this job, with 2023-24 completions (IPEDS).

No college programs near Boston map to this job. Many people enter through on-the-job training or apprenticeship.

Talk to a career coach at the Office of Workforce Development about apprenticeships and City partner programs.

Related occupations

Talk to a career coach

A coach at the Office of Workforce Development can help you plan your next step, and connect you with training, apprenticeships and City partner programs that are not listed here.

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