The machinist workforce sits at a real turning point in 2026. Federal data shows about 34,200 openings each year, even as overall employment slips. Mass retirements are draining shop floors fast. Reshoring pressure is pulling work back to American plants. That gap is now the story every factory owner is watching.
Key Takeaways
- 34,200 machinist and tool-and-die openings are projected annually through 2034, per BLS.
- The median machinist wage hit $56,150 in May 2024.
- Retirements, not growth, drive nearly every open seat.
What Do the Latest Numbers Say?
We pulled the core figures straight from the government source. Here is the quick snapshot every reader should see first.
| Quick Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| 2024 Median Pay | $57,700/yr ($27.74/hr) |
| Entry Education | High school diploma |
| Training | Long-term on-the-job |
| Jobs, 2024 | 354,800 |
| Outlook, 2024–34 | -2% (decline) |
| Employment Change | -5,900 |
Our analysis suggests the decline headline hides a hiring boom. Replacement demand keeps precision machining shops competing hard for talent, according to The Manufacturing Institute.
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Where Does a Machinist Earn the Most?
Pay depends heavily on the industry you enter. We broke down the median machinist wages by sector below.
| Industry | Median Wage |
|---|---|
| Transportation equipment mfg. | $60,320 |
| Machinery manufacturing | $56,200 |
| Wholesale trade | $54,040 |
| Fabricated metal products | $50,950 |
| Employment services | $38,860 |
Transportation work pays the strongest for a CNC. The lowest 10% earned under $38,100, while the top 10% cleared $78,760. That spread rewards trade skills and experience, a pattern confirmed by NIST.
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Machinist vs Tool and Die Maker: What Is Changing?
The two roles are moving in different directions. We found the split matters for anyone weighing a career path.
| Occupation | Jobs 2024 | Jobs 2034 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Machinists & tool/die | 354,800 | 348,800 | -2% |
| Machinists | 299,500 | 299,600 | 0% |
| Tool and die makers | 55,200 | 49,300 | -11% |
Straight if employment holds flat at 0%. Tool and die roles fall 11% as automation absorbs certain tasks. If you have followed the manufacturing workforce shift, this split will not surprise you.
How Do Skilled Trades Compare?
IT’S is one of several skilled trades worth comparing. Here is how the pay lines up across related jobs.
| Occupation | 2024 Median Pay |
|---|---|
| Boilermakers | $73,340 |
| Industrial machinery mechanics | $63,510 |
| Machinists & tool/die makers | $57,700 |
| Welders, cutters, brazers | $51,000 |
| Metal & plastic machine workers | $46,800 |
Industry insiders are noting that apprenticeship programs now feed most new hires. Trainees start as operators and move up as their precision machining skill grows. We back that path because it pays while you learn.
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What This Means for Workers
The takeaway is simple and steady. We a skilled machinist stays strong despite the flat growth rate. Here is what we recommend you focus on.
- Learn CNC and CAD/CAM to match modern shop needs.
- Enter an apprenticeship for paid, on-the-job training.
- Track reshoring hubs in transportation and machinery manufacturing.
The retirements creating today’s openings will not slow soon.
That gives new workers a rare window into a dependable trade. We stand behind one clear point: skilled trades remain a solid bet in 2026.
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