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”

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

Related Technology & Tools

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

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