Will “Machine Operator” be Replaced By Robots? 🤔

65% Chance of Automation

“Machine Operator” will maybe be replaced by robots.

This job is ranked #358 out of #702. A higher ranking (i.e., a lower number) means the job is less likely to be replaced.

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Job Description

Set up and operate a variety of machine tools to produce precision parts and instruments. 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.

Job Details

The SOC (Standard Occupational Classification) code is 51-4041.00
The Mean Annual Wage in the U.S. is $ 43,220.00
The Mean Hourly Wage is $ 20.00
Currently, there are 391,120 people on this job

☝️ Information based on the reference occupation “Machinists”.

Also Known As…

Tasks for “Machine Operator”

Study sample parts, blueprints, drawings, or engineering information to determine methods or sequences of operations needed to fabricate products.
Test experimental models under simulated operating conditions for purposes such as development, standardization, or feasibility of design.
Machine parts to specifications, using machine tools, such as lathes, milling machines, shapers, or grinders.
Advise clients about the materials being used for finished products.
Confer with engineering, supervisory, or manufacturing personnel to exchange technical information.
Dispose of scrap or waste material in accordance with company policies and environmental regulations.
Align and secure holding fixtures, cutting tools, attachments, accessories, or materials onto machines.
Design fixtures, tooling, or experimental parts to meet special engineering needs.
Evaluate machining procedures and recommend changes or modifications for improved efficiency or adaptability.
Prepare working sketches for the illustration of product appearance.
Calculate dimensions or tolerances, using instruments such as micrometers or vernier calipers.
Monitor the feed and speed of machines during the machining process.
Maintain machine tools in proper operational condition.
Measure, examine, or test completed units to check for defects and ensure conformance to specifications, using precision instruments, such as micrometers.
Install repaired parts into equipment or install new equipment.
Confer with numerical control programmers to check and ensure that new programs or machinery will function properly and that output will meet specifications.
Separate scrap waste and related materials for reuse, recycling, or disposal.
Fit and assemble parts to make or repair machine tools.
Set up or operate metalworking, brazing, heat-treating, welding, or cutting equipment.
Operate equipment to verify operational efficiency.
Check work pieces to ensure that they are properly lubricated or cooled.
Install experimental parts or assemblies, such as hydraulic systems, electrical wiring, lubricants, or batteries into machines or mechanisms.
Support metalworking projects from planning and fabrication through assembly, inspection, and testing, using knowledge of machine functions, metal properties and mathematics.
Dismantle machines or equipment, using hand tools or power tools to examine parts for defects and replace defective parts where needed.
Establish work procedures for fabricating new structural products, using a variety of metalworking machines.
Diagnose machine tool malfunctions to determine need for adjustments or repairs.
Program computers or electronic instruments, such as numerically controlled machine tools.
Lay out, measure, and mark metal stock to display placement of cuts.
Set up, adjust, or operate basic or specialized machine tools used to perform precision machining operations.

Related Technology & Tools

Grinding dogs
Resurfacing machines
Combination pliers
Edge finders
Plasma welders
Beverly shears
Planer gauges
Computerized numerical control CNC machining centers
Sharpening equipment
Thread gauges
Marking blocks
Personal computers
Magnetic retrievers
Tungsten inert gas TIG welding equipment
Welding lenses
Half-round files
Outside micrometers
Soldering equipment
Steel rules
Hex wrenches
Angled feeler gauges
Hand saws
Cutoff saws
Turning lathes
Sandblasters
Combination wrenches
Square chisels
Multi-axis computerized numerical control CNC machines
Knee mills
Sine bars
Center drills
Flat files
Lathes
Vernier calipers
Flywheel lathes
Shapers
3-axis computerized numerical control CNC machines
Utility knives
Aviation snips
Pipe threaders
Spindle blade screwdrivers
Machinists' squares
Brazing equipment
Machine shop rigging equipment
Side cutting pliers
Composition hammers
Horizontal boring bars
Deburring tools
Grinders
Oxyacetylene welding equipment
Grinding wheel arbors
Shears
Hacksaws
Machinists' hammers
Personal digital assistants PDA
Channel lock pliers
Ring gauges
Inside micrometers
Screwdrivers
Vertical milling machines
Pillar drill machines
Cylinder honers
Portable welding equipment
Radial drill presses
Hermaphrodite calipers
Ladders
Tongs
Dial calipers
Dial indicators
Pipe wrenches
Ratchet sets
Vernier bevel protractors
Parallel blocks
Computerized numerical control CNC turning lathes
Vernier gear tooth calipers
Radius gauges
Inside spring calipers
Telescoping gauges
Feeler gauges
Steel wedges
Calipers
Milling vises
Horizontal mills
Milling angle form cutters
Radial drills
Cylindrical grinders
Shims
Prick punches
Metal spray equipment
Swaging tools
Single-cut mill saw files
Engine lathes
Brake presses
Cold chisels
Wedges
Outside spring calipers
Anvils
Sensitive drill presses
Drum lathes
Handheld welders
Undercut tools
Platforms
Hex keys
Height gauges
Spirit levels
Power drills
Needlenose pliers
Rubber mallets
Arbor presses
Gauges
Metal shears
Chippers
Hydraulic presses
Punches
Sledgehammers
Shielded arc welding tools
Hand clamps
Breaker lathes
Surface gauges
Desktop computers
Angle plates
Binocular light compound microscopes
Jointers
Putty knives
Socket wrench sets
Boring tools
Full face shields
Crankshaft grinders
V blocks
Phillips head screwdrivers
Power sanders
Brass hammers
Reamers
Boring bars
Buffers
Ball peen hammers
Turret lathes
Chucks
Screw pitch gauges
Forklifts
Metal inert gas MIG welders
Tube benders
Combination drills
Metal cutting taps
Centrifugal spin casters
Threading machines
Torches
Milling machines
Heat-treating equipment
Laser printers
Workshop cranes
Cold saws
Power hacksaws
Surface grinding machines
Vernier height gauges
Planers
Staging equipment
Horizontal lathes
Micrometers
Vertical turret lathes VTL
Scribers
Pry bars
Broachers
Welding shields
Bandsaws
Chamfer tools
Valve grinding machines
Adjustable wrenches

Computer aided manufacturing CAM software
Computer aided design CAD software
Armchair Machinist software
Microsoft Office
JETCAM
Autodesk AutoCAD
CNC TurboCAD/CAM
Microsoft Word
CNC Consulting Machinists' Calculator
EditCNC
CNC Mastercam
ERP software
Kentech Trig Kalculator
Microsoft Outlook
Microsoft Excel
CCG Systems FASTER
Kentech Kipware Studio