person, wearing a hard hat and overalls, standing near a red button in an industrial setting

Machinists and machining and tooling inspectors

(NOC 72100)
Annual Earnings
$78,210
Training, Education, Experience and Responsibilities
College Diploma or Apprenticeship, 2 or more years
Job Openings
(2024-2034)
1,230

Career Overview

Machinists set up and operate a variety of machine tools to cut or grind metal, plastic or other materials to make or modify parts or products with precise dimensions.

People in this occupation:

  • Inspect machined parts and tooling in order to maintain quality control standards
  • Work for machinery, equipment, motor vehicle, automotive parts, aircraft and other metal products manufacturing companies and for machine shops
  • Work in wood manufacturing and food processing plants, as well as in refineries
  • Have an interest in mechanization
  • Must have a strong attention to detail and be able to communicate complicated technical ideas with precision and clarity
  • Need to have good physical mobility, as well as be able to lift heavy objects and handle production pressures calmly

Job Titles

Aircraft engine parts machinist
Aircraft machinist
Apprentice automotive machinist
Apprentice machinist
Automotive machinist
Auto parts machine shop inspector
Aviation machinist
Ballistic laboratory machinist
Bench machinist
Computer-assisted machinist
Computer numerical control (CNC) machinist
Diesel engine machinist
Differential gear testing machinist
Dimensional inspector - machine shop
Electrical machinist
Experimental machinist
Firearms machining inspector
Firearms model maker machinist
Gear inspector-machinist
Gear tester-machinist
General machinist
Journeyman/woman machinist
Machined parts inspector
Machine shop charge hand
Machine shop inspector
Machining and tooling inspector
Machining inspector
Machinist
Machinist apprentice
Maintenance machinist
Master machinist
Model maker machinist
Motion picture equipment machinist
Mould and core machinist
Mouldmaking machinist
Numerically controlled (NC) machinist
Precision machinist
Printing press machinist
Propeller inspector - machining
Prototype machinist
Set-up machinist
Tool and die inspector
Tool and gauge inspector
Tooling inspector
Toolroom inspector
Toolroom machinist
Turbine blade machinist

Duties

Although part of the same occupational group, the main duties of machinists and machining and tooling inspectors are different from each other.

Machinists:

  • Read and interpret engineering drawings, blueprints, charts and tables or study sample parts to determine machining operations to be performed, and plan best sequence of operations
  • Compute dimensions and tolerances and measure and lay out work pieces
  • Set up, operate and maintain a variety of machine tools, including computer numerically controlled (CNC) tools to perform precision, machining operations such as sawing, turning, milling, boring, planning, drilling, precision grinding and other operations
  • Fit and assemble machined parts and subassemblies using hand and power tools
  • Verify dimensions of products for accuracy and conformance to specifications using precision measuring instruments
  • May set up and program machine tools for use by machining tool operators

Machining and tooling inspectors:

  • Verify dimensions of machined parts or tooling using micrometers, verniers, callipers, height gauges, optical comparators, coordinate measuring machines (CMM) or other specialized measuring instruments
  • Maintain, repair and calibrate precision measuring instruments such as dial indicators, fixed gauges, height gauges and other measuring devices
  • Report deviations from specifications and tolerances to supervisors, maintain inspection records and complete inspection reports

Earnings

Earnings is income that workers receive in exchange for their labour. Depending on the type of employment, earnings can be in the form of wages (hourly), salaries (fixed monthly or annual) or self-employed earnings.

Annual Earnings

$78,210

Provincial Hourly Rate

High$48.00/hr
Median$37.50/hr
Low$21.00/hr
Source: B.C. Labour Market Information Office, derived from 2024 Job Bank Wage data

Work Environment

# Workers Employed

2,795

% Employed Full Time

72%
Source: 2021 Census

Machinists and machining and tooling inspectors typically work 40 hours per week. However, some overtime may be required to meet production schedules. Some larger operations require shift work.

Machinists and machining and tooling inspectors typically work indoors in machine shops or manufacturing plants. The work environment can be noisy and dirty, and workers may also be exposed to unpleasant odours.

Hazards include physical injuries due to possible machinery-related accidents, hearing damage from noise and sickness caused by exposure to toxic lubricants or coolants. The increased use of enclosed, automated equipment has reduced the risk of such injuries and removed much of the noise and dirt created in traditional machine shops and plants. Safety procedures (from the WorksafeBC Act) are strictly enforced to reduce potential injuries.

Machinists and machining and tooling inspectors are required to stand for most of the work day. At times, these workers may also be required to lift moderately heavy objects, which may increase their risk of back injury.

However, modern shops and factories now employ autoloaders and overhead cranes that reduce the need to lift heavy objects.

Career Pathways

Many individuals start in entry-level positions, such as machine setters. Once in entry-level positions, these workers may then become machinist apprentices. Some workers may also begin as apprentices.

Workers become certified machinists once they have completed an apprenticeship program.

After several years of experience as a certified machinist, tool and die maker, or machining tool operator, workers may become machining and tooling inspectors.

Occupational Interests

It’s important to understand what kinds of occupations align with your interests.

For more about occupational interests visit Skills for the Future Workforce > Characteristics.

Here are the top occupational interest(s) for this career profile:

Realistic
Realistic

Education, Training and Skills

Completion of secondary school may be required to work in this occupation. Completion of a four-year apprenticeship program or a combination of over four years work experience and some college or industry courses in machining is required to be eligible for machinist trade certification. As the technology advances, strong knowledge of math and physics is becoming increasingly important in finding work in this field.

The machinist apprenticeship program:

  • Requires a combination of work experience and class-time instruction
  • Educational training takes place over four five-week periods
  • Can be started in secondary school, through entry-level training at colleges and technical institutes, or by direct entry
  • Requires workers find a sponsor employer who is willing to participate in the program

Workers with 9,900 hours of documented, directly related work experience who have not entered an apprenticeship program may obtain machinist trade certification by passing a challenge exam administered by SkilledTradesBC. For more information please see SkilledTradesBC's website at https://skilledtradesbc.ca.

Trade certification for machinists is available in B.C. Interprovincial trade certification, Red Seal certification, is available to qualified machinists through SkilledTradesBC. Specific trade certification for automotive machinists is also available but voluntary.

Several years of experience as a machinist, tool and die maker or machining tool operator may be required before workers can become machining and tooling inspectors.

Trades training resources

Visit our trades training page at www.workbc.ca/trades to learn about apprenticeship and trades training in B.C.

Education programs in B.C.

The following program areas are related to this occupation:

  • Machinist
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Find out more information about programs offered specifically for this career.

Skills

Every job calls for a certain set of skills. Knowing those skills is the first step in finding a good career fit.

Here, you will find the 10 most relevant workplace skills. Some are more important to achieving success in a certain career than others. These skills may come naturally to you or you may need to gain them through education, training and experience.

See the list of work-related skills below, ranked in order of importance for this career. Check out the list and see if this career matches your skills—take that first step!

Quality Control Analysis

Conducting tests and inspections of products, services or processes to evaluate quality or performance.

61%
Operations Monitoring

Watching gauges, dials or other indicators to make sure that a machine is working properly.

59%
Critical Thinking

Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

58%
Monitoring

Keeping track of and assessing your performance, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

57%
Operation and Control

Controlling operations of equipment or systems.

55%
Reading Comprehension

Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.

52%
Active Listening

Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

52%
Complex Problem Solving

Being able to solve novel, ill-defined problems in complex, real-world settings.

51%
Speaking

Talking to others to share information effectively.

51%
Time Management

Managing one’s own time and the time of others.

50%

Labour Market Statistics

Discover data, facts and information that have been gathered and analyzed. Learn about the characteristics of the economy and labour market in B.C.

Employment

Find out about employment types and trends by region and industry.

Employment

2,795
Source: 2021 Census

Employment by Region

Cariboo
Kootenay
Mainland/Southwest
North Coast and Nechako
Northeast
Thompson-Okanagan
Vancouver Island/Coast
Region Employment % Employment of this Occupation
Cariboo 145 5.2%
Kootenay 110 3.9%
Mainland/Southwest 1,880 67.3%
North Coast and Nechako 35 1.3%
Northeast 25 0.9%
Thompson-Okanagan 275 9.8%
Vancouver Island/Coast 335 12.0%
Source: 2021 Census

Labour Market Outlook

The B.C. Labour Market Outlook is a 10-year forecast of the expected supply and demand for labour in the province. It’s usually updated every year. The purpose is to provide British Columbians with the knowledge to make informed decisions on careers, skills training, education and hiring.

Forecasted Job Openings (2024-2034)

1,230
Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Forecasted Job Openings

Forecasted Employment Growth Rate

Composition of Job Openings

Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Job Openings by Region (2024-2034)

Cariboo
Kootenay
Mainland/Southwest
North Coast and Nechako
Northeast
Thompson-Okanagan
Vancouver Island/Coast
Region Job Openings Avg. Annual Employment Growth
Cariboo 70 0.4%
Kootenay 40 0.6%
Mainland/Southwest 930 1.2%
North Coast and Nechako 0 -4.6%
Northeast 0 -0.6%
Thompson-Okanagan 100 0.9%
Vancouver Island/Coast 110 0.4%
Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Industry Highlights

Learn about the opportunities in B.C.'s major industries, including employment trends, earning potential, locations of work and more.

Forecasted Job Openings by Industry

IndustryJob Openings (2024-2034)
Manufacturing880
Professional, Scientific and Technical Services80
Wholesale Trade70
Repair, Personal and Non-Profit Services50
Transportation and Warehousing40
For additional industry information, visit the Industry Profiles page.
Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Insights from Industry

More than half of the job openings over the next few years are expected to come from new job creation.

Demand for machinists and machining and tooling inspectors is driven by the strength of the Manufacturing and Transportation industries and by the health of B.C.'s resource processing operations, such as saw mills, refineries, smelters and pulp and paper mills. Company consolidation and increased international competition may limit job creation in the Forest Products industry. The Transportation industry could also see growth when trade and container transportation recovers and the economy grows.

Job growth for machinists and machining and tooling inspectors will largely depend on trends in the Manufacturing industry. In particular, the potential movement of some aircraft maintenance work for larger airlines to other provinces and some shipbuilding activity offshore may reduce future job growth for machinists and machining and tooling inspectors.

Business investment in machinery and equipment is expected to increase in B.C. as the stronger Canadian dollar allows companies to invest in up-to-date machinery and equipment.

Resources