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What is a journeyman machinist and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
3 min read
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The average journeyman machinist salary is $50,598. The most common degree is a associate degree degree with an precision metal working major. It usually takes 2-4 years of experience to become a journeyman machinist. Journeyman machinists with a Master Engine Machinist certification earn more money. Between 2018 and 2028, the career is expected to grow 1% and produce 3,900 job opportunities across the U.S.
ScoreJourneyman MachinistUS Average
Salary
4.0

Avg. Salary $50,598

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level
5.8

Growth rate 1%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity
4.2
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.51%

Asian 6.35%

Black or African American 4.00%

Hispanic or Latino 14.91%

Unknown 3.73%

White 70.49%

Gender

female 4.42%

male 95.58%

Age - 49
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 49
Stress level
5.8

Stress level is manageable

7.1 - high

Complexity level
6.3

Complexity level is intermediate

7 - challenging

Work life balance
6.7

Work life balance is good

6.4 - fair

Journeyman machinist career paths

Key steps to become a journeyman machinist

  1. Explore journeyman machinist education requirements

    Most common journeyman machinist degrees

    Associate

    36.3 %

    High School Diploma

    31.2 %

    Bachelor's

    15.2 %
  2. Start to develop specific journeyman machinist skills

    SkillsPercentages
    Manual Lathes11.84%
    Grinders8.65%
    Hand Tools7.47%
    CNC Vertical7.32%
    Calipers5.36%
  3. Complete relevant journeyman machinist training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of 3-6 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New journeyman machinists learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a journeyman machinist based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real journeyman machinist resumes.
  4. Research journeyman machinist duties and responsibilities

    • Manage output according to company quality standards and corresponding ISO certification.
    • Use CMM for 1st article inspection.
    • Inspect parts off cmm and adjust offsets accordingly.
    • Experience using micrometers, calipers, indicators, and other precision measuring tools.
  5. Prepare your journeyman machinist resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your journeyman machinist resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a journeyman machinist resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose from 10+ customizable journeyman machinist resume templates

    Build a professional journeyman machinist resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your journeyman machinist resume.
    Journeyman Machinist Resume
    Journeyman Machinist Resume
    Journeyman Machinist Resume
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    Journeyman Machinist Resume
    Journeyman Machinist Resume
    Journeyman Machinist Resume
    Journeyman Machinist Resume
    Journeyman Machinist Resume
  6. Apply for journeyman machinist jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a journeyman machinist job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How did you land your first journeyman machinist job

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Average journeyman machinist salary

The average journeyman machinist salary in the United States is $50,598 per year or $24 per hour. Journeyman machinist salaries range between $37,000 and $69,000 per year.

Average journeyman machinist salary
$50,598 Yearly
$24.33 hourly

What am I worth?

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How do journeyman machinists rate their job?

-/5

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1 star

Journeyman machinist reviews

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A zippia user wrote a review on Jun 2020
Pros

Constant Challenge making each day unique and fun. Not hard physical labor but mentally challenging. Constantly evolving skillset in an industry that is always changing and growing.

Cons

Some places are straight production shops and there will be limited opportunities to grow in them. When you make a mistake it can be huge and cost 10s of thousands of dollars to fix so you are often on edge.


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A zippia user wrote a review on Sep 2019
Pros

Meet the customer requirements. Development, Reduce cycle time for machining.

Cons

None


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A zippia user wrote a review on Sep 2019
Pros

Manufacturing broken components (gears,couplings,shafts and engine block Reboring)

Cons

No complaints


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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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