Usually, mill operators don't need a college education. The most common degree for mill operators is high school diploma with 49% graduates, with only 19% mill operator graduates earning associate degree. Mill operators who decided to graduate from college often finish University of Phoenix or Weber State University. Some good skills to have in this position include communication skills, coordination and visual ability.

To succeed in mill operator careers it is a good idea to earn popular professional certifications among mill operators like, Forklift Safety and Inspector, OSHA Safety Certificate , or EPA Amusement Operators Safety Certification (EPA). To improve mill operator qualification and skills, we prepared some online courses to help in mill operator education paths.

Mill Operator JOBS

What Education is Needed to Become a Mill Operator?

What Degree Should I Get to Become a Mill Operator?

The most common degree for mill operators is high school diploma 49% of mill operators earn that degree. A close second is associate degree with 19% and rounding it off is bachelor's degree with 14%.

  • High School Diploma, 49%
  • Associate, 19%
  • Bachelors, 14%
  • Diploma, 12%
  • Other Degrees, 6%

What Should I Major in to Become a Mill Operator?

Most mill operators, 20% to be exact, major in business. Some other common majors for a mill operator include general studies and automotive technology majors.

20 Best Online Courses for Mill Operators

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1. Creating Toolpaths for a CNC Lathe

coursera

CNC machines come in an almost endless array of configurations for various applications. So far, we have only talked about CNC Mills. More specifically vertical milling centers. In this course we turn our attention to the CNC Lathe. We identify the difference in a lathe’s coordinate system, tools, and how to create lathe specific toolpaths. Want to take your learning to the next level? Complete the Autodesk CAD/CAM for Manufacturing Specialization, and you’ll unlock an additional Autodesk...

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2. Operations and Patient Safety for Healthcare IT Staff

coursera

Now that you've been introduced to the world of Health IT and the important role played by electronic health records (EHRs), we'll focus on other technologies that play a role in maintaining ongoing operations in healthcare. Telemedicine, patient portals, barcode scanners, printers, and medical devices are just some of the technologies that impact providers and patients. As an IT support specialist, you’ll be asked to troubleshoot issues with a wide variety of tools. You'll see a scenario with...

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3. CNC Milling machine programming using G-Code

udemy
4.6
(296)

Learning to read and write CNC programs with FANUC G Code has never been so easy...

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4. CNC Lathe programming using G Code

udemy
4.4
(315)

CNC machine training for Lathes using FANUC G Code...

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5. OSHA Safety Pro: Personal Protective Equipment

udemy
4.5
(1,674)

Impress management or get that job with you your ability to display life and dollar saving work place safety practices...

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6. OSHA Safety Pro: Deadly Concrete Dust. Crystalline Silica.

udemy
4.6
(389)

OSHA's General, Construction, and Maritime Industries Hazard Prevention and Safety Standard...

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7. Operations Management in small businesses: key techniques

udemy
4.5
(1,149)

A toolkit for making small business operations effective and efficient...

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8. OSHA Workplace Safety (General Industry 6 Hr Class)

udemy
4.6
(2,255)

Learn the requirements and standards associated with OSHA and workplace safety. Safety best practices for the workplace...

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9. Operations Management A-Z: Business Processes and Systems

udemy
4.6
(2,661)

Operations Management: Supply Chain & Business Processes in Industry for Manufacturing and Services Organizations...

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10. Operating Systems Part 3: Synchronization and Deadlock

udemy
4.6
(532)

Learn the concepts of Operating Systems from scratch as Operating System forms the core of Computer Science...

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11. Operational Risks Management ORM

udemy
4.3
(420)

Operational Risks Management ORM Case Studies for Risk Management, Compliance, Audit, IS Security, Banking Professionals...

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12. Operating Systems from scratch - Part 1

udemy
4.6
(3,267)

Learn the concepts of Operating Systems from scratch as Operating System forms the core of Computer Science...

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13. Operating Systems Final Part (4) : File Systems & Threads

udemy
4.5
(384)

Learn the concepts of Operating Systems from scratch as Operating System forms the core of Computer Science...

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14. Operating Systems from scratch - Part 2

udemy
4.4
(873)

Learn memory management in operating systems as operating system forms the core of computer science...

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15. OSHA Safety Pro: Trenching Excavation & Soil Mechanics

udemy
4.5
(662)

A quick yet detailed certification in OSHA safety with a focus on Trenching, Excavation, & Soil Mechanics...

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16. The Operations Management Training Program

udemy
4.4
(677)

Learn how to design, plan, direct, and improve all the activities that transform resources into goods or services...

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17. Introduction to CNC Programming

udemy
4.3
(1,442)

Learn to program CNC Routers and CNC Milling machines that use the GCODE language...

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18. Operations Management

edX (Global)

Have you ever wondered about the right methods to improve productivity, configure your supply chain or address the demand on hand? In recent years, businesses have strived to improve productivity and quality, reduce costs and delivery times, and embrace flexibility and innovation. These strategies are part of the Operations Management (OM) activities that service and manufacturing organizations engage in. Operations Management helps you to understand the role of OM in a firm and to develop...

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19. Hardware and Operating Systems

edX (Global)

If you’re ready to enter the world of Information Technology (IT), you need job-ready skills. Understanding the fundamentals of computer hardware and operating systems is critical to any technology related job role like Technical Support or Software Development. This course introduces you to the brain of a computer—its operating system software, where you’ll become familiar with the fundamentals of the Microsoft Windows operating system. You’ll gain skills to describe internal key hardware...

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20. Introduction to Computer Numerical Control

edX (Global)

Computer Numerical Control (CNC) Machining is the process through which computers control machine-based processes in manufacturing. The kinds of machines controlled include lathes, mills, routers and grinders – all used for manufacturing of metal and plastic products. In this course, you’ll learn the ins-and-outs of CNC machining; building the essential knowledge to develop and operate a project with a CNC machine. From plan interpretation to machining and quality control, you will learn how to...

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Best Mill Operator Certifications in 2023

1. Forklift Safety and Inspector

Most personnel operating and working around forklifts have had little or no quality training. This training program exceeds OSHA's new training requirements.

Most personnel operating and working around forklifts have had little or no quality training. This training program exceeds OSHA's new training requirements.

Certification Details
  • More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
  • More than two years of work experience required? No
  • Oral or Written Exam Required? Yes
  • Renewal Required? Every 2 year(s)
Certifying Organization
Crane Institute Certification

2. OSHA Safety Certificate

This 40-hour program covers both the Construction 1926 and General Industry 1910 Standards, how to effectively interpret the Federal Register, health issues related to a work environment, recognition of physical hazards related to the violation of OSHA standards, and employer implementation of their own pro-active safety and health procedures.

This 40-hour program covers both the Construction 1926 and General Industry 1910 Standards, how to effectively interpret the Federal Register, health issues related to a work environment, recognition of physical hazards related to the violation of OSHA standards, and employer implementation of their own pro-active safety and health procedures.

Certification Details
  • More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
  • More than two years of work experience required? Yes
  • Oral or Written Exam Required? No
  • Renewal Required? No
Certifying Website
OSHA Safety Certificate
Course That Help You To Prepare For Certification
OSHA Safety Pro: Trenching Excavation & Soil Mechanics
udemy
4.5
(662)

3. EPA Amusement Operators Safety Certification (EPA)

A comprehensive, equipment specific safety program designed to provide operators and their employees with a thorough understanding of best risk management practices. Industry accidents, which serve to put a spotlight on potential issues, can often be avoided through the utilization of proper risk management techniques.

A comprehensive, equipment specific safety program designed to provide operators and their employees with a thorough understanding of best risk management practices. Industry accidents, which serve to put a spotlight on potential issues, can often be avoided through the utilization of proper risk management techniques.

Certification Details
  • More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
  • More than two years of work experience required? No
  • Oral or Written Exam Required? Yes
  • Renewal Required? 
Certifying Organization
Event Planners Association

4. Operator Certification

Operator Certification is an intensive six-day training program that educates operators in the correct applications and techniques for safe, competent operation of sawing and drilling equipment.

Operator Certification is an intensive six-day training program that educates operators in the correct applications and techniques for safe, competent operation of sawing and drilling equipment.

Certification Details
  • More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
  • More than two years of work experience required? Yes
  • Oral or Written Exam Required? Yes
  • Renewal Required? 
Certifying Website
Operator Certification
Certifying Organization
Concrete Sawing and Drilling...

Entry Level Jobs For Becoming A Mill Operator

Average Mill Operator Salary by Education Level

Mill operators with a Associate degree earn more than those without, at $40,236 annually. With a High School Diploma degree, mill operators earn a median annual income of $39,385.

Mill Operator Education LevelMill Operator Salary
High School Diploma or Less$39,385
Bachelor's Degree$39,307
Some College/ Associate Degree$40,236

Mill Operator Internship Jobs

Mill Operator Jobs