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”

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.
Evaluate machining procedures and recommend changes or modifications for improved efficiency or adaptability.
Set up, adjust, or operate basic or specialized machine tools used to perform precision machining operations.
Lay out, measure, and mark metal stock to display placement of cuts.
Calculate dimensions or tolerances, using instruments such as micrometers or vernier calipers.
Maintain machine tools in proper operational condition.
Fit and assemble parts to make or repair machine tools.
Advise clients about the materials being used for finished products.
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.
Design fixtures, tooling, or experimental parts to meet special engineering needs.
Confer with engineering, supervisory, or manufacturing personnel to exchange technical information.
Diagnose machine tool malfunctions to determine need for adjustments or repairs.
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.
Install experimental parts or assemblies, such as hydraulic systems, electrical wiring, lubricants, or batteries into machines or mechanisms.
Measure, examine, or test completed units to check for defects and ensure conformance to specifications, using precision instruments, such as micrometers.
Operate equipment to verify operational efficiency.
Program computers or electronic instruments, such as numerically controlled machine tools.
Monitor the feed and speed of machines during the machining process.
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.
Machine parts to specifications, using machine tools, such as lathes, milling machines, shapers, or grinders.
Check work pieces to ensure that they are properly lubricated or cooled.
Test experimental models under simulated operating conditions for purposes such as development, standardization, or feasibility of design.
Separate scrap waste and related materials for reuse, recycling, or disposal.
Establish work procedures for fabricating new structural products, using a variety of metalworking machines.
Set up or operate metalworking, brazing, heat-treating, welding, or cutting equipment.

Related Technology & Tools

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

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