by our College Data Analytics TeamMachine Tool Technology/Machinist was the 480th most popular major in the 2020-2021 school year. Colleges in the United States reported awarding 3,285 degrees in this year alone. This 425 less than the prior year, a decrease of 12.9%.
This year's Best Machine Tool Technology/Machinist Schools ranking compares 43 of them to identify the best overall programs in the country. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of machine tool tech programs later in this article.
Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly has been highlighted as one of the most essential skills for careers related to machine tool tech. Required skills include controlling operations of equipment or systems and monitoring/assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
machine tool technology/machinist degree applicants generally need have finished high school or their GED. Many schools may also have GPA and SAT/ACT score minimums that must be met. In addition to these basic machine tool technology/machinist program qualifications, to serve in some machine tool tech careers, special certification may be required outside of your degree.
There are many different machine tool tech degree levels. Machine Tool Technology/Machinist programs offered by schools range from a to a , which is the highest machine tool tech degree you can get. The type of machine tool tech degree you choose will determine how long it takes to get your diploma.
| Degree | Credit Requirements | Typical Program Length |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 60-70 credits | 2 years |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 120 credits | 4 years |
| Master’s Degree | 50-70 credits | 1-3 years |
| Doctorate | Program required coursework including thesis or dissertation | At least 4 years |
An associate degree is the most common level of education achieved by those in careers related to machine tool tech, with approximately 2.4% of workers getting one. See the the most common levels of education for machine tool tech workers below.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| High School Diploma | 62.1% |
| Post-Secondary Certificate | 19.0% |
| Less than a High School Diploma | 8.5% |
| Some College Courses | 6.6% |
| Associate’s Degree (or other 2-year degree) | 2.4% |
The chart below shows what degree level those who work in machine tool technology/machinist have obtained.
The education level required is different depending on the machine tool tech career you are seeking.
Want a job when you graduate with your machine tool tech degree?
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to machine tool technology/machinist.
| Occupation Name | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Machinists | 404,100 | 2.0% |
| Metal and Plastic Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | 175,900 | -8.7% |
| Metal and Plastic Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders | 114,700 | -2.6% |
| Metal and Plastic Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders | 68,300 | -10.4% |
| Metal and Plastic Extruding and Drawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | 61,300 | -15.2% |
As you might expect, salaries for machine tool tech graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Salaries for machine tool technology/machinist graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers machine tool tech grads often go into.
| Occupation Name | Median Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Metal and Plastic Layout Workers | $47,380 |
| Machinists | $45,250 |
| Metal and Plastic Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $44,490 |
| Metal and Plastic Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $41,490 |
| Metal and Plastic Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $41,090 |
With over 533 different machine tool tech degree programs to choose from, finding the best fit for you can be a challenge. Fortunately you have come to the right place. We have analyzed all of these schools to come up with hundreds of unbiased machine tool tech school rankings to help you with this.
Machine Tool Technology/Machinist is one of 8 different types of Precision Metal Working programs to choose from.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Welding Technology/Welder | 42,490 |
| Computer Numerically Controlled (CNC) Machinist Technology/CNC Machinist | 2,689 |
| Machine Shop Technology/Assistant | 1,921 |
| Tool & Die Technology/Technician | 584 |
| Metal Fabricator | 430 |
