Machinist
Make precision metal parts. Machinists program and run CNC mills, lathes, and grinders to produce parts to thousandths of an inch. The trade behind aerospace, defense, medical, and industrial manufacturing.
Machinist goes by many names
On KinTrades, all of these job titles route to the Machinist trade — so search any of them and you'll find matching work.
Day to day on the job
Machinists set up and run machine tools — manual mills and lathes for one-off work, CNC machines for production. Read engineering drawings (often with GD&T), select cutting tools, write or edit G-code, run parts, and verify dimensions to thousandths of an inch.
Specializations diverge by industry. Production Machinists run high-volume CNC at manufacturers. Tool & Die Makers build the molds, dies, and fixtures used in production — premium pay. Aerospace Machinists work tight-tolerance parts under AS9100 quality. Manual Machinists work prototype shops and repair fabrication.
Most machinists work for machine shops, manufacturers, or aerospace/defense contractors. NIMS certification is the universal credential — Levels I-III progression.
See the Machinist trade through someone who lives it
A real Machinist on what the day-to-day is actually like — straight from the shop, in their own words.
How you move up as a Machinist
NIMS (National Institute for Metalworking Skills) is the dominant credentialing body. Many machinists also come up through CC AAS programs and manufacturer training (Haas, Mazak, DMG MORI). BLS OES 51-4041, May 2025.
Apprentice — what this rung looks like
What Machinists earn in VA, DC, MD & NC
Pay data: BLS OEWS · May 2025 · VA · DC · MD · NC. Expanding nationally.
Is Machinist a growing trade?
Core craft + supporting skills
Core skills (orange) are required for the Machinist trade; supporting skills (gray) round out a well-rounded journeyworker.
Paths into the Machinist trade
NTMA / NIMS Apprenticeship
National Tooling and Machining Association runs apprenticeships at member shops. NIMS provides the curriculum and credentials. NIMS →
Community College CNC Programs
Pell-eligible CNC programs at Tidewater CC, Wake Tech, Cape Fear CC. FastForward VA covers tuition.
Direct hire as CNC operator
Most machinists come in as CNC operators at production shops with no prior credentials. Manufacturers cover NIMS testing fees in first year.
Certifications that help
NIMS Levels I–III, OSHA 10/30, manufacturer certifications (Haas, Mazak, Mori), Mastercam/Fusion 360 programmer certs, ASQ quality credentials for senior shops.
Common pathways into Machinist work
KinTrades welcomes Machinist workers from every walk of life. Whether you're a veteran transitioning out of service, a student planning your career, or someone returning to work — there's a clear path in.
Veterans
Army 91E Allied Trades Specialist includes machining. Navy MR (Machinery Repairman) directly transfers to civilian machinist work.
Air Force 2A7X3 Aircraft Structural Maintenance includes some machining. The GI Bill covers NIMS testing fees and CC AAS programs.
Defense and aerospace suppliers actively recruit cleared veteran machinists.
Veterans on KinTradesHigh School Students
Machining is a common HS career-technical-education program in NC, VA, and MD. NIMS Level I exam is open to age 18+ — many HS seniors earn it before graduation.
Manufacturer programs (Haas Tooling University, Mazak iSmart) recruit at high schools.
Pell-eligible CC AAS programs (NoVA CC, Wake Tech, Cape Fear CC) cover the trade.
Students on KinTradesSecond Chance
Machinist roles at independent job shops are second-chance friendly — most shops hire on demonstrated NIMS skill.
Aerospace and defense contractors require security clearance for cleared work, but commercial machine shops generally do not.
The trade hires on what you can produce, not where you've been.
Second-chance hiringCertifications, apprenticeships & licensing for Machinists
Certifications that move you up
- NIMS Machining Level I Credentials (NIMS L1) Recommended
- OSHA 10-Hour Construction (OSHA-10) Recommended
If Machinist interests you, also look at
Common questions about becoming a Machinist
What does a Machinist do?
Machinists set up and run machine tools — manual mills and lathes for one-off work, CNC machines for production. Read engineering drawings (often with GD T), select cutting tools, write or edit G-code, run parts, and verify dimensions to thousandths of an inch.
What does a Machinist make in Virginia, DC, Maryland, and North Carolina?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2025, Machinists earn an annual median of $61K in Virginia (range $45K–$86K), $73K in DC ($57K–$99K), $60K in Maryland ($43K–$82K), and $55K in North Carolina ($37K–$76K).
How do you become a Machinist?
NTMA / NIMS Apprenticeship: National Tooling and Machining Association runs apprenticeships at member shops. NIMS provides the curriculum and credentials. NIMS →
How long is Machinist apprenticeship in Virginia, DC, Maryland, or North Carolina?
2–4 years to journey-level setup machinist. NIMS (National Institute for Metalworking Skills) is the dominant credentialing body. Many machinists also come up through CC AAS programs and manufacturer training (Haas, Mazak, DMG MORI).
Is Machinist a growing career?
Yes — U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projections have Machinist employment set to see little change between 2024 and 2034. The BLS projects about 29,500 openings per year nationally, most from workers retiring or leaving the trade.
Is Machinist a good career path for someone with a record?
Machinist roles at independent job shops are second-chance friendly — most shops hire on demonstrated NIMS skill. Aerospace and defense contractors require security clearance for cleared work, but commercial machine shops generally do not. The trade hires on what you can produce, not where you've been.