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What is a milling machine operator and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
3 min read
There is more than meets the eye when it comes to being a milling machine operator. For example, did you know that they make an average of $16.39 an hour? That's $34,094 a year! Between 2018 and 2028, the career is expected to grow -8% and produce -83,800 job opportunities across the U.S.
ScoreMilling Machine OperatorUS Average
Salary
2.7

Avg. Salary $34,094

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level
6.0

Growth rate -8%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity
6.5
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.87%

Asian 5.98%

Black or African American 4.81%

Hispanic or Latino 14.53%

Unknown 5.43%

White 68.38%

Gender

female 7.65%

male 92.35%

Age - 43
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 - 43
Stress level
6.0

Stress level is manageable

7.1 - high

Complexity level
7.3

Complexity level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work life balance
4.1

Work life balance is poor

6.4 - fair

Milling machine operator career paths

Key steps to become a milling machine operator

  1. Explore milling machine operator education requirements

    Most common milling machine operator degrees

    High School Diploma

    48.3 %

    Associate

    22.8 %

    Bachelor's

    11.4 %
  2. Start to develop specific milling machine operator skills

    SkillsPercentages
    Asphalt15.45%
    CNC14.61%
    Micrometers9.63%
    Calipers8.93%
    Hand Tools8.39%
  3. Complete relevant milling machine operator training and internships

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

    • Perform trial runs on new CNC programs, working with programming and tooling to achieve satisfactory parts.
    • Skil in measuring calipers and hand tools including QC inspections.
    • Measure dimensions, using instruments micrometers and vernier calipers.
    • Used micrometer screw gauge, vernier calipers.
  5. Prepare your milling machine operator resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your milling machine operator 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 milling machine operator resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose from 10+ customizable milling machine operator resume templates

    Build a professional milling machine operator 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 milling machine operator resume.
    Milling Machine Operator Resume
    Milling Machine Operator Resume
    Milling Machine Operator Resume
    Milling Machine Operator Resume
    Milling Machine Operator Resume
    Milling Machine Operator Resume
    Milling Machine Operator Resume
    Milling Machine Operator Resume
    Milling Machine Operator Resume
  6. Apply for milling machine operator jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a milling machine operator 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 milling machine operator job

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Average milling machine operator salary

The average milling machine operator salary in the United States is $34,094 per year or $16 per hour. Milling machine operator salaries range between $28,000 and $41,000 per year.

Average milling machine operator salary
$34,094 Yearly
$16.39 hourly

What am I worth?

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How do milling machine operators rate their job?

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Milling machine operator 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.


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A zippia user wrote a review on Oct 2019
Pros

I love the creativity. Every job is mostly different. Sometimes you have jobs that are monotonous. Like " OPEN" signs for instance. But most of my buyers have their own logos or designs they would like rendered in neon. It's the diversification that makes this job fulfilling.


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A zippia user wrote a review on Aug 2019
Cons

Short time at work that to day U not working we will call you when we have busy I need a full time job not part time

Pros

It challenging I love challenge to work as a operator it a very challenging job


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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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