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”

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

Related Technology & Tools

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

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