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

Related Technology & Tools

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

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