Machine Tool Technician Overview

Required Education and Training To Become a Machine Tool Technician

Best Schools to become a Machine Tool Technician in U.S. 2024

NTMA Training Centers of Southern California

Santa Fe Springs, CA

In-State Tuition:$N/A
Out-of-State Tuition:$N/A
Admission Rate:N/A
Graduation Rate:77%
Total Enrollment:98

Wichita State University-Campus of Applied Sciences and Technology

Wichita, KS

In-State Tuition:$4,311
Out-of-State Tuition:$5,174
Admission Rate:N/A
Graduation Rate:30%
Total Enrollment:5,021

Central Community College

Grand Island, NE

In-State Tuition:$2,820
Out-of-State Tuition:$4,230
Admission Rate:N/A
Graduation Rate:43%
Total Enrollment:6,519

Amarillo College

Amarillo, TX

In-State Tuition:$1,128
Out-of-State Tuition:$2,664
Admission Rate:N/A
Graduation Rate:28%
Total Enrollment:8,988

College of Western Idaho

Nampa, ID

In-State Tuition:$3,400
Out-of-State Tuition:$7,344
Admission Rate:N/A
Graduation Rate:27%
Total Enrollment:9,920

Santa Ana College

Santa Ana, CA

In-State Tuition:$1,104
Out-of-State Tuition:$8,712
Admission Rate:N/A
Graduation Rate:27%
Total Enrollment:23,852
Machine Tool Technician Job Description:
  • Set up and operate a variety of machine tools to produce precision parts and instruments out of metal.
  • Includes precision instrument makers who fabricate, modify, or repair mechanical instruments.
  • May also fabricate and modify parts to make or repair machine tools or maintain industrial machines, applying knowledge of mechanics, mathematics, metal properties, layout, and machining procedures.

Required Skills and Competencies To Become a Machine Tool Technician

Job Duties for Machine Tool Technicians

  • Calculate dimensions or tolerances, using instruments, such as micrometers or vernier calipers.

  • Machine parts to specifications, using machine tools, such as lathes, milling machines, shapers, or grinders.

  • Measure, examine, or test completed units to check for defects and ensure conformance to specifications, using precision instruments, such as micrometers.

Technologies and Skills Used by Machine Tool Technicians

Computer aided design CAD software

  • Autodesk AutoCAD
  • Dassault Systemes CATIA

Computer aided manufacturing CAM software

  • Dassault Systemes SolidWorks
  • Mastercam computer-aided design and manufacturing software

Presentation software

  • Microsoft PowerPoint

Basic Skills

  • Keeping track of how well people and/or groups are doing in order to make improvements
  • Thinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem

Problem Solving

  • Noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it

Current Job Market and Opportunites for a Machine Tool Technician

Top Related Careers to Machine Tool Technician 2024

Additional Resources To Help You Become a Machine Tool Technician

FAQs About Becoming a Machine Tool Technician