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Metal machine tools workers

How to become a CNC Machine Tool Operator

Operates computer numerically controlled (CNC) machine tools to cut metal materials.

Main tasks

Workers in this job say high school is common. From job tag's survey of people in each job, who could give several answers. It shows what workers see as common, not how many workers hold each level.

How to become one

No particular education or qualification is required to start. Many people are technical high school graduates. Most mid-career hires move from the same industry. Training after joining differs by employer. Some offer about a year of training where you build basic knowledge while improving your skills through practice, while others give a short induction and then place you on the shop floor to learn through on-the-job training. A common career path is to gain experience as an operator and become a leader (supervisor or section manager), then move into management, or build your knowledge and skills and become a specialist. A related qualification is the machining technician grade of the ginou kentei (national trade skills test) set by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare. The test is divided by type of general-purpose and NC machine tool. You need knowledge of machine tools, cutting methods, cutting tools, materials, programming, measuring and reading drawings. Practical skills needed include operating NC milling machines accurately, writing NC programs, setting up jobs, and judging and responding quickly to how the machining is going. New technology keeps coming into machine tools, so it is important to take an interest in new technical developments. You need the spatial ability to understand flat and 3D shapes, and maths ability for programming. When operating machines, you also need to judge how the work is going by eye and move your hands quickly.

Ways in

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Questions people ask

How do I become a CNC Machine Tool Operator?

No particular education or qualification is required to start. Many people are technical high school graduates. Most mid-career hires move from the same industry. Training after joining differs by employer. Some offer about a year of training where you build basic knowledge while improving your skills through practice, while others give a short induction and then place you on the shop floor to learn through on-the-job training. A common career path is to gain experience as an operator and become a leader (supervisor or section manager), then move into management, or build your knowledge and skills and become a specialist. A related qualification is the machining technician grade of the ginou kentei (national trade skills test) set by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare. The test is divided by type of general-purpose and NC machine tool. You need knowledge of machine tools, cutting methods, cutting tools, materials, programming, measuring and reading drawings. Practical skills needed include operating NC milling machines accurately, writing NC programs, setting up jobs, and judging and responding quickly to how the machining is going. New technology keeps coming into machine tools, so it is important to take an interest in new technical developments. You need the spatial ability to understand flat and 3D shapes, and maths ability for programming. When operating machines, you also need to judge how the work is going by eye and move your hands quickly.

How much does a CNC Machine Tool Operator earn in Japan?

Average annual income in the private sector, bonus included, is ¥4,838,700 (Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare). The figure is for the wage survey group Metal machine tools workers, which covers several jobs.

Do you need a degree to become a CNC Machine Tool Operator?

Usually not. In this job's census occupation group, only 13% of workers are university graduates. Ways in include: National trade skills test (技能検定); Vocational college (専門学校) course: Mechanical engineering.

Will AI change the work of a CNC Machine Tool Operator?

Generative AI can do relatively little of this work, by the ILO's global estimate.

Sources

独立行政法人労働政策研究・研修機構（JILPT）作成 職業情報データベース 解説系ダウンロードデータ（IPD_DL_description_7_01.xlsx）ver.7.01 職業情報提供サイト（job tag）より2026年10月4日にダウンロード（https://shigoto.mhlw.go.jp/User/download）を加工して作成

独立行政法人労働政策研究・研修機構（JILPT）作成 職業情報データベース 簡易版数値系ダウンロードデータ（IPD_DL_numeric_7_00.xlsx）ver.7.00 職業情報提供サイト（job tag）より2026年10月4日にダウンロード（https://shigoto.mhlw.go.jp/User/download）を加工して作成

Sources: JILPT Occupational Information Database download data via job tag (解説系 ver.7.01 and 簡易版数値系 ver.7.00, downloaded 4 October 2026), processed by Peernovo; MHLW, Basic Survey on Wage Structure 2025; Statistics Bureau of Japan, 2020 Population Census; MEXT, School Basic Survey 2025; MHLW, Employment Referrals for General Workers (Hello Work statistics). Figures processed by Peernovo. English job names, translations and the matching of jobs to statistical groups, schools and degree fields by Peernovo.

Updated 4 October 2026