Machinist Career Assessment
Making precise metal parts with machines
Welcome
Machinists use lathes, mills, and computer-controlled (CNC) machines to make metal parts.
Their parts go into farm equipment, trucks, oil field tools, and more. You will explore whether this careful, hands-on work fits you.
This takes about 15 minutes.
What is a Machinist?
A machinist reads drawings, sets up machines, and cuts metal into exact shapes. Many parts must be correct to one-thousandth of an inch, thinner than a hair. Machinists run manual machines and CNC machines, and they check their work with precise measuring tools.
The Reality: The work takes patience and focus. One small mistake can ruin a part. Shops can be noisy and oily. You stand most of the day. Some shops run night shifts.
Your Responsibilities:
- Read blueprints and part drawings
- Set up lathes, mills, and CNC machines
- Choose cutting tools and speeds
- Cut, drill, and shape metal parts
- Measure parts with calipers and micrometers
- Adjust machines to fix errors
- Write or edit simple CNC programs
- Keep machines clean and safe
You make the exact parts that keep machines running.
A Day in the Life
6:00 AM — Clock in at the shop. Check today's work orders.
6:15 AM — Read the drawing for a batch of hydraulic parts for a farm equipment maker.
7:00 AM — Set up the CNC lathe. Load the program and the cutting tools.
8:00 AM — Run the first part. Measure it with a micrometer. Adjust by two-thousandths of an inch.
10:00 AM — Parts are running well. Measure every tenth part.
11:30 AM — Lunch in the break room.
12:00 PM — A rush job: repair a broken shaft on a manual lathe.
2:15 PM — Clean your machine and log your parts.
Focused, careful work in a shop.
Training in North Dakota
No license is required. Training makes you much more hireable. Some people learn on the job, starting as a machine operator. Many take a 1–2 year college program first. A registered apprenticeship lets you earn while you learn.
Training Pathways:
- College program (1–2 years): Learn manual and CNC machining, blueprint reading, and shop math.
- Registered apprenticeship (about 4 years): Paid work in a shop plus classes. Ask employers and jobsnd.com about openings.
- Operator to machinist: Start running a CNC machine in a factory. Learn setup and programming on the job.
Where to Train in North Dakota:
- North Dakota State College of Science (Wahpeton) — Precision Machining Technology, AAS (74 credits); includes CNC programming, toolmaking, and mold making
- North Dakota State College of Science (Wahpeton) — Precision Machining Technology certificates (Introduction, Intermediate, and full certificate)
- ND manufacturers — on-the-job training and registered apprenticeships (search jobsnd.com)
Before You Start: High school diploma or GED. Shop math (fractions, decimals, some geometry and trig). Good eyesight and steady hands. Computer skills help for CNC work.
Tip: Start with financial aid, scholarships, and any help an employer offers — that is where the money starts. After that, ask a career counselor or Job Service North Dakota whether WIOA or other programs can help with what is left over, like training, tools, work boots, or exam fees. What can be paid for depends on the program and on your own situation, so ask before you sign up rather than after. Registered apprenticeships let you earn a paycheck while you learn — see jobsnd.com/job-seeker/apprenticeships for ND programs.
Certification & Licensing
No license is required. North Dakota does not license machinists. Employers look at your skills and training. Optional national credentials can help prove your skills.
Helpful Credentials:
- NIMS credentials — from the National Institute for Metalworking Skills. Levels cover measurement and safety, lathe, milling, CNC, and more.
- College certificate or AAS — shows employers you have formal training
- Registered apprenticeship certificate — a nationally recognized credential when you finish
- OSHA 10 General Industry — basic safety training some employers like
The Exams: NIMS credentials have a written test plus a hands-on part, such as making a part that is inspected.
Cost: Costs vary. Testing is often done through a school or employer. Ask before you pay.
Keeping It Current: No state license to renew. Check NIMS rules for how long each credential lasts.
Salary & Job Outlook
North Dakota Machinist Pay (May 2025):
- Starting out (bottom 10–25%): $22.99–$23.70/hour ($47,810–$49,300/year)
- Middle (median — half earn more, half earn less): $29.72/hour ($61,820/year)
- Experienced (top 25–10%): $35.90–$38.48/hour ($74,670–$80,030/year)
What that means: ND machinists earn a bit more than the national median. CNC setup and programming skills can move you to the top. Night shifts and overtime can add more.
Jobs in North Dakota: About 510 people do this work in ND today. By 2034, that should be about 550 (about 8% growth). Expect about 60 job openings every year in ND from growth and people retiring or changing jobs. Across the U.S., the change is little or no change (0%).
Outlook: Fair to good. About 60 openings a year in North Dakota. ND is growing a bit faster than the nation.
Who Hires in ND: Farm equipment makers, machine shops, oil field tool shops, metal fabricators, repair shops, and manufacturers in Fargo, West Fargo, Wahpeton, Bismarck, and beyond.
Work Setting: Indoor machine shops and factories. Can be noisy and oily. Most shifts are full time, and some run nights or weekends.
Physical Demands: Moderate. Standing most of the day, lifting parts up to about 50 pounds, and using your hands and eyes carefully. Safety glasses and hearing protection are needed.
Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, North Dakota, May 2025 (SOC 51-4041); North Dakota and U.S. long-term employment projections 2024–2034, via O*NET OnLine. Numbers are rounded.
Where This Leads
Path 1: CNC Machinist — Set up and run computer machines.
Path 2: CNC Programmer — Write the programs that run machines.
Path 3: Tool and Die Maker — Build special tools and molds.
Path 4: Quality Inspector — Check parts for accuracy.
Path 5: Shop Lead or Supervisor — Lead a team in the shop.
Path 6: Machine Shop Owner — Run your own shop.
The Real Talk
What's Great:
- No license needed
- Indoor work out of the weather
- Pay above the national median
- Pride in precise work
- Short training options
- Room to grow into CNC programming
What's Hard:
- Needs strong focus and patience
- Noisy, oily shops
- Standing all day
- Some night shifts
- Small mistakes can scrap parts
- Fewer openings than some trades
Be Honest: Can you focus on small details for hours? Are you OK with shop math? Can you stand all day in a noisy shop?