National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021 Version 1.0

• 9 - Occupations in manufacturing and utilities
• 94 - Machine operators, assemblers and inspectors in processing, manufacturing and printing
• 941 - Processing and manufacturing machine operators and related production workers
• 9410 - Machine operators and related workers in mineral and metal products processing and manufacturing

94106 - Machining tool operators

Machining tool operators set up and operate or tend metal-cutting machines designed for repetitive machining work. They are employed by metal products and other manufacturing companies and in machine shops. This unit group also includes workers who etch or chemically mill metal pieces.

• Illustrative example(s)

  • aircraft parts etcher
  • boring mill operator - metal machining
  • computer numerical control (CNC) machining tool operator
  • lathe machining operator
  • machining tool operator
  • milling machine set-up operator
  • radial drill operator - metal machining

  All examples

• Exclusion(s)

  • Computer numerical control (CNC) programmer (See 22302 Industrial engineering and manufacturing technologists and technicians)
  • Computer-assisted design/computer-assisted manufacturing (CAD/CAM) programmer (See 22302 Industrial engineering and manufacturing technologists and technicians)
  • Contractors and supervisors, machining, metal forming, shaping and erecting trades and related occupations (See 72010 Contractors and supervisors, machining, metal forming, shaping and erecting trades and related occupations)
  • Machinists and machining and tooling inspectors (See 72100 Machinists and machining and tooling inspectors)
  • Tool and die makers (See 72101 Tool and die makers)

• Main duties

  This group performs some or all of the following duties:

  • Study job orders and interpret blueprints to determine machining operations to be performed
  • Set up and operate machine tools to perform repetitive machining operations, such as turning, milling, drilling, boring, planing, honing, broaching, grinding or other machining operations
  • Verify dimensions of parts machined using micrometers, callipers and other precision measuring instruments
  • Prepare etching solution and immerse metal parts or workpiece in etching solution to remove unwanted portions
  • Perform routine maintenance on equipment and machinery
  • May enter codes specifying speed, feed and cut of the toolpath for computer numerical controlled (CNC) machine tools.

• Employment requirements

  • Secondary school education is required.
  • College or other courses in machining may be required.
  • Several weeks of on-the-job training are provided.
  • Senior positions in this unit group, such as set-up operator, require experience as a machine operator.

• Additional information

  • Experienced machining tool operators may become machinists or tool and die makers through apprenticeship training.