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Metal machine tools workers

How to become a Manual Machine Tool Operator

Also called: Lathe operator, Drill press operator, Milling machine operator, Grinding machine operator, Finishing machinist

Shapes metal to set dimensions by cutting and grinding on manual machine tools, such as lathes and drill presses, that are operated with handles and levers.

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 education or qualifications are required. Many are graduates of technical high schools, and most university graduates come from engineering or other science faculties. The balance of new graduates and mid-career hires depends on the workplace. After joining, some large companies offer off-the-job training at an in-house training school combining classroom and practical work, but at most other workplaces you learn the knowledge and skills on the job, with one-to-one guidance from an instructor while working on real products. It is said to take from a few months to a few years to master one machine tool. After that you keep building your ability as a machine tool operator by learning more types of machine and deepening your skills. Depending on the size of the workplace, people recognised for their ability and experience may become group leaders, giving instructions to and coordinating the group and liaising with other departments, and then move into management. A related qualification is the machining skilled worker qualification of the ginou kentei (national trade skills test) set by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare. The test is divided by the type of manual (and NC) machine tool and by grade. As mentioned, it is not essential, but it proves your level of skill, and it may bring a qualification allowance under company rules or help when changing jobs. If you use grinding machines, you must take special training in changing and test-running grinding wheels under the Industrial Safety and Health Act. The job suits people who are good with their hands, love making things and can work with focus and patience: in other words, people with a craftsperson's temperament. Spatial awareness to easily understand and picture flat and three-dimensional shapes, and the ability to plan the right work set-up, are also essential.

Ways in

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Questions people ask

How do I become a Manual Machine Tool Operator?

No education or qualifications are required. Many are graduates of technical high schools, and most university graduates come from engineering or other science faculties. The balance of new graduates and mid-career hires depends on the workplace. After joining, some large companies offer off-the-job training at an in-house training school combining classroom and practical work, but at most other workplaces you learn the knowledge and skills on the job, with one-to-one guidance from an instructor while working on real products. It is said to take from a few months to a few years to master one machine tool. After that you keep building your ability as a machine tool operator by learning more types of machine and deepening your skills. Depending on the size of the workplace, people recognised for their ability and experience may become group leaders, giving instructions to and coordinating the group and liaising with other departments, and then move into management. A related qualification is the machining skilled worker qualification of the ginou kentei (national trade skills test) set by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare. The test is divided by the type of manual (and NC) machine tool and by grade. As mentioned, it is not essential, but it proves your level of skill, and it may bring a qualification allowance under company rules or help when changing jobs. If you use grinding machines, you must take special training in changing and test-running grinding wheels under the Industrial Safety and Health Act. The job suits people who are good with their hands, love making things and can work with focus and patience: in other words, people with a craftsperson's temperament. Spatial awareness to easily understand and picture flat and three-dimensional shapes, and the ability to plan the right work set-up, are also essential.

How much does a Manual 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 Manual 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).

Will AI change the work of a Manual 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