Career Overview
Set up, operate, or tend milling or planing machines to mill, plane, shape, groove, or profile metal or plastic work pieces.
Also Known As
- CNC Licensed Mill Operator (Computer Numerical Control Licensed Mill Operator)
- CNC Mill Operator (Computerized Numerical Control Mill Operator)
- Machine Operator
- Mill Operator
Alternate Job Titles
- Barrel Rib Matting Machine Operator
- Barrel Rifler
- Boring Mill Operator
- Broacher
- Broaching Machine Operator
- Broaching Machine Set Up Operator
- CNC Licensed Mill Operator (Computer Numerical Control Licensed Mill Operator)
- CNC Mill Operator (Computer Numerical Control Mill Operator)
- CNC Mill Operator (Computerized Numerical Control Mill Operator)
- CNC Mill Set Up Operator (Computerized Numerical Control Mill Set Up Operator)
- CNC Milling Operator (Computer Numerical Control Milling Operator)
- Escape Wheel Tooth Cutter
- Feed Mill Operator
- File Cutter
- Gear Milling Machine Set Up Operator
What You'll Do
In this role, your typical responsibilities include:
- Remove workpieces from machines, and check to ensure that they conform to specifications, using measuring instruments such as microscopes, gauges, calipers, and micrometers.
- Verify alignment of workpieces on machines, using measuring instruments such as rules, gauges, or calipers.
- Move controls to set cutting specifications, to position cutting tools and workpieces in relation to each other, and to start machines.
- Observe milling or planing machine operation, and adjust controls to ensure conformance with specified tolerances.
- Select and install cutting tools and other accessories according to specifications, using hand tools or power tools.
- Position and secure workpieces on machines, using holding devices, measuring instruments, hand tools, and hoists.
- Replace worn tools, using hand tools, and sharpen dull tools, using bench grinders.
Knowledge You'll Use
You'll need solid knowledge in these areas:
- Mechanical
- Production and Processing
Essential Skills
Success in this career requires strong skills in:
- Operations Monitoring
Key Abilities
This career requires key abilities in:
- Manual Dexterity
- Near Vision
- Arm-Hand Steadiness
- Control Precision
- Problem Sensitivity
- Multilimb Coordination
- Reaction Time
- Selective Attention
- Visualization
- Finger Dexterity
Work Style
People who excel in this career typically demonstrate:
- Attention to Detail
- Dependability
- Cautiousness
- Achievement Orientation
- Stress Tolerance
What Matters in This Career
This career tends to satisfy these work values:
- Support
- Working Conditions
- Independence
- Achievement
- Relationships
Education & Preparation
Typical Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Related Work Experience Needed: Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years
On-the-Job Training: Over 3 months, up to and including 6 months
Education Details: Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
Experience Required: Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
Technology You'll Use
Popular Technologies & Software
- Autodesk AutoCAD
- Extensible markup language XML
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Word
Tools & Equipment
- Adjustable spanner wrenches
- Allen wrench sets
- Automatic tool changers
- Bore gauges
- Boring bars
- Center finders
- Coaxial indicators
- Collet chucks
- Computer numerical control CNC milling machines
- Coolant chillers
- Coordinate measuring machines CMM
- Crescent wrenches
- Desktop computers
- Dial calipers
- Digital bench scales
Work Environment
- Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets
- Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
- Spend Time Standing
- Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls
- Exposed to Sounds, Noise Levels that are Distracting or Uncomfortable
Salary & Job Market
| Salary Percentile | Annual Wage |
|---|---|
| Entry-Level (10th percentile) | $36,810 |
| Median | $48,310 |
| Top Earners (90th percentile) | $75,000 |
Workers Employed Nationally: 13,810
Related Careers
If you're interested in this career, you might also consider:
Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $48,620
Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $45,190
Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $40,440
Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $48,970
Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $46,060
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Occupational data sourced from the O*NET OnLine database, developed by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Wage data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2024.