How to become a machining tool operator
Official title: Machining tool operators
Also called: Axle lathe operator, Machine tool setter, Gear-shaper operator, Tool-dresser operator, Shaper set-up operator, Cutlery and tool etcher, Machining tool operator, Metal band saw operator, Thread-grinder operator, Lapping machine operator, Lathe machining operator, Brake drum lathe operator
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.
Main tasks
- 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
How to become one
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.
Pay · Outlook
- Median pay: $48,750 a year The middle half earn $42,179 to $58,500.
- About 11,900 people worked in this job in 2023, and about 12,600 are projected by 2033. (+5.9%)
- Projected labour market to 2033: balance.
Related jobs
- Machine operators, mineral and metal processing
- Foundry workers
- Glass forming and finishing machine operators and glass cutters
- Concrete, clay and stone forming operators
- Inspectors and testers, mineral and metal processing
- Metalworking and forging machine operators
Not sure this is for you? Take the 2-minute career quiz
Questions people ask
How do I become a machining tool operator?
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.
How much does a machining tool operator earn in Canada?
Median full-time pay is $48,750 a year (Employment and Social Development Canada (Job Bank)). The middle half earn $42,179 to $58,500.
Is a machining tool operator a growing career in Canada?
Yes. Employment is projected to grow 6% by 2033, from about 11,900 to about 12,600 people (Employment and Social Development Canada).
Do you need a degree to become a machining tool operator?
Usually not. Only 11% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Sources
- Statistics Canada: Census 2021: employment by occupation, gender and education (98-10-0449) (2021 Census), Statistics Canada Open Licence, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Statistics Canada: National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021 (Version 1.0), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Employment and Social Development Canada: Canadian Occupational Projection System (COPS) (2024 to 2033), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Employment and Social Development Canada (Job Bank): Wages by occupation (2025 (revised 2025-11-19)), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03
Updated 2026-10-03