Post Job

What is a maintenance machinist and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
introduction image

Primarily, the maintenance machinist is responsible for mechanical maintenance, fabrication, repair, and installation tasks. He/She sets up and operates machine tools like lathe, grinder, horizontal boring mill, and the likes. He/She diagnoses and resolves mechanical issues. Also, he/she performs performance analysis to determine design modifications. Furthermore, he/she carries out welding, rigging and fitting, and preventive maintenance. The maintenance machinist uses measuring instruments, layout tools, and diagnostic equipment with accuracy and precision. Besides that, he/she prepares drawings and sketches and plan and estimate material and labor requirements.

Employers seek candidates with a minimum of a high school diploma or its equivalent and must have at least a year of experience in a similar role. You must possess communication, computer, mechanical, and troubleshooting skills. You may have to get additional licenses as you advance in your career. The salary of a maintenance machinist ranges from $45,666 to $58,459, with an average annual salary of $51,627.

ScoreMaintenance MachinistUS Average
Salary
4.1

Avg. Salary $52,077

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability Level
5.8

Growth Rate 1%

Growth Rate 0.3%

Diversity
4.2
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.52%

Asian 6.61%

Black or African American 4.34%

Hispanic or Latino 14.50%

Unknown 3.74%

White 70.29%

Gender

female 6.03%

male 93.97%

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

Maintenance Machinist career paths

Key steps to become a maintenance machinist

  1. Explore maintenance machinist education requirements

    Most common maintenance machinist degrees

    High School Diploma

    30.7 %

    Associate

    29.6 %

    Bachelor's

    20.5 %
  2. Start to develop specific maintenance machinist skills

    SkillsPercentages
    CNC10.77%
    Grinders8.50%
    Hand Tools6.61%
    Calipers5.78%
    Manual Lathes4.76%
  3. Complete relevant maintenance machinist training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of 3-6 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New maintenance 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 maintenance machinist based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real maintenance machinist resumes.
  4. Research maintenance machinist duties and responsibilities

    • Manage and perform programming of CNC mills, lathes and EDM equipment, instrumentation, data acquisition and control systems.
    • Set up and operate machine tools, mills, lathes, radial drills, vertical turret lathe, and surface grinders.
    • Certify with, and task with training others in, SolidWorks and CamWorks.
    • Set up and run lathes, mills, I.D.
  5. Prepare your maintenance machinist resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your maintenance 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 maintenance 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 Maintenance Machinist Resume templates

    Build a professional Maintenance 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 Maintenance Machinist resume.
    Maintenance Machinist Resume
    Maintenance Machinist Resume
    Maintenance Machinist Resume
    Maintenance Machinist Resume
    Maintenance Machinist Resume
    Maintenance Machinist Resume
    Maintenance Machinist Resume
    Maintenance Machinist Resume
    Maintenance Machinist Resume
    Maintenance Machinist Resume
    Maintenance Machinist Resume
    Maintenance Machinist Resume
    Maintenance Machinist Resume
    Maintenance Machinist Resume
    Maintenance Machinist Resume
    Maintenance Machinist Resume
  6. Apply for maintenance machinist jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a maintenance 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 Maintenance Machinist Job

Zippi

Are you a Maintenance Machinist?

Share your story for a free salary report.

Average maintenance machinist salary

The average Maintenance Machinist salary in the United States is $52,077 per year or $25 per hour. Maintenance machinist salaries range between $36,000 and $74,000 per year.

Average Maintenance Machinist Salary
$52,077 Yearly
$25.04 hourly

What Am I Worth?

salary-calculator

How do maintenance machinists rate their job?

5/5

Based On 2 Ratings

5 Stars

4 Stars

3 Stars

2 Stars

1 Star

Maintenance Machinist reviews

profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Sep 2023
Pros

rewarding upon job completion


profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Jul 2023
Pros

I love the work. Lots of job satisfaction. Steady work. 45yrs with the same company. I love it!


profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Jan 2022
Pros

The different machines it takes to get a job done from boring machines,finish hone machine sunnen [cv616] Sunnen block and head surfacer,working on heads, guide work valve jobs surfacing assembly its working on something different from small blocks to big block chevy to fords.


Working as a Maintenance Machinist? Share your experience anonymously.
Overall Rating*
Career Growth
Work/Life balance
Pay/Salary

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.

Browse production and manufacturing jobs