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Boston Career Explorer

Production

Machinists

Set up and operate a variety of machine tools to produce precision parts and instruments out of metal. Includes precision instrument makers who fabricate, modify, or repair mechanical instruments. May also fabricate and modify parts to make or repair machine tools or maintain industrial machines, applying knowledge of mechanics, mathematics, metal properties, layout, and machining procedures.

Also called: CNC Machinist (Computer Numeric Controlled Machinist), CNC Machinist (Computer Numerically Controlled Machinist), Gear Machinist, Machine Repair Person, Machinist, Maintenance Machinist

Compare with my current job (Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks)
Median pay in Greater Boston
$72,060
$34.65/hr
Jobs in Greater Boston
4,870
Massachusetts 2024–2034
+2.2%
780 openings a year
Typical U.S. entry requirement
High school diploma or equivalent
plus Long-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
$48,400$59,730$72,060$80,250$93,600

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

What you’d do

  • Calculate dimensions or tolerances, using instruments, such as micrometers or vernier calipers.
  • Machine parts to specifications, using machine tools, such as lathes, milling machines, shapers, or grinders.
  • Measure, examine, or test completed units to check for defects and ensure conformance to specifications, using precision instruments, such as micrometers.
  • Set up, adjust, or operate basic or specialized machine tools used to perform precision machining operations.
  • Program computers or electronic instruments, such as numerically controlled machine tools.
  • Study sample parts, blueprints, drawings, or engineering information to determine methods or sequences of operations needed to fabricate products.

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 exposure23 of 100

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

  • AIOE 22
  • Language-model AIOE 18
  • GPTs-are-GPTs 28

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

This job has lower AI exposure, and observed AI use is little or none. AI tools may help with calculating dimensions or programming machine tools. Setting up machines, machining parts, and testing finished pieces with precision instruments still depend on skilled people. Massachusetts is projected to add about 2.2% more of these jobs by 2034.

Likely to change

  • Calculating dimensions and tolerances
  • Programming numerically controlled machine tools

Still relies on people

  • Setting up and adjusting machine tools
  • Testing parts for defects with micrometers

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.

  • Industrial Machinery Mechanics

    Your machine setup and repair knowledge carries over. This job maintains production machinery and has 17.1% projected growth in Massachusetts.

    Pay difference
    +$3,140 median
    AI exposure
    Lower
    MA growth
    +17.1%
    To get started
    High school diploma or equivalent

  • Control and Valve Installers and Repairers, Except Mechanical Door

    Taking apart and repairing precision devices fits your mechanical skills. It also involves recording test results, and the median pay is higher.

    Pay difference
    +$23,460 median
    AI exposure
    Lower
    MA growth
    +4.8%
    To get started
    High school diploma or equivalent

  • Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians

    Your skill with precision measuring and following specifications carries over. This job needs a postsecondary award and pays a higher median, with 6.5% projected growth.

    Pay difference
    +$21,220 median
    AI exposure
    Lower
    MA growth
    +6.5%
    To get started
    Postsecondary nondegree award

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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