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”

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

Related Technology & Tools

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

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