by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 87 U.S. colleges awarded 1,542 degrees and certificates in Machine Shop Technology/Assistant. Master’s degrees are the most popular award, at 64% of graduates. College Factual ranks 46 schools in its 2027 Best Machine Shop Technology/Assistant Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $33,745 one year after completing, rising to $48,658 after four years.
A major in Machine Shop Technology/Assistant involves the study of Machine Shop Technology/assistant. A Program That Prepares Individuals To Apply Technical Knowledge And Skills To Fabricate And Modify Metal Parts In Support Of Other Manufacturing, Repair Or Design Activities, Or As An Independent Business.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
In the U.S., machine shop technology/assistant is a widely-pursued major, with 1,542 degrees awarded annually. 87 colleges award machine shop technology/assistant degrees, an average of 18 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 170.
By level, the 1,542 awards include 306 certificates, 120 associate degrees and 992 master’s degrees.
Women earned 10% of machine shop technology/assistant degrees and certificates in the latest year (146 of 1,542). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (1,154) and Hispanic or Latino (154), and international students earned 5.
College Factual ranks 46 schools in its 2027 Best Machine Shop Technology/Assistant Schools ranking, including 8 for associate degrees. It also ranks machine shop technology/assistant schools within 2 states. In all, 87 colleges offer machine shop technology/assistant programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Machine Shop Technology/Assistant Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common machine shop technology/assistant credential is the master’s degree: 992 of the 1,542 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to machine shop technology/assistant call most for Operations Monitoring, Operation and Control and Critical Thinking, and for knowledge of Mathematics, Production and Processing and Mechanical, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Arm-Hand Steadiness, Near Vision and Manual Dexterity.
Top skills, rated 0–5:
Top knowledge areas, rated 0–5:
How long a machine shop technology/assistant degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 306 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 120 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 992 |
High school diploma or equivalent is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to machine shop technology/assistant, at 59.2%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| High school diploma or equivalent | 59.2% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 17.8% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 11.3% |
| Some college courses | 8.4% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 3.1% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 0.2% |
Source: O*NET Online.
9 occupations are related to Machine Shop Technology/Assistant, with an average median salary of $52,780; the strongest outlook belongs to Heat Treating Equipment Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic, at 13.7% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Fixture Maker, Development Mechanic, Tool Dresser and Layout Man.
The occupation related to machine shop technology/assistant with the most projected jobs is Machinists, at 826,859.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Machinists | 826,859 | 1.7% |
| Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters | 700,944 | 4.1% |
| Metal Workers and Plastic Workers, All Other | 690,098 | -1.2% |
| Layout Workers, Metal and Plastic | 577,031 | 3.0% |
| Heat Treating Equipment Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | 398,888 | 13.7% |
| Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | 380,873 | -0.2% |
| Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners | 273,429 | -4.3% |
| Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators | 248,570 | -2.6% |
Machine Shop Technology/Assistant graduates earn a median $33,745 one year after completing their program, $48,658 after four years and $44,553 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $33,745 |
| 4 years | $48,658 |
| 5 years | $44,553 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The highest-paying occupation related to machine shop technology/assistant is Metal Workers and Plastic Workers, All Other, with a median salary of $67,669.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Metal Workers and Plastic Workers, All Other | $67,669 |
| Machinists | $58,269 |
| Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $55,961 |
| Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners | $55,632 |
| Layout Workers, Metal and Plastic | $53,306 |
| Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $52,281 |
| Heat Treating Equipment Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $51,258 |
| Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters | $47,270 |
Machine Shop Technology/Assistant has 8 similar majors in the Precision Production field, which together award 71,774 degrees a year; the largest are Welding Technology/Welder (64,207), Machine Tool Technology/Machinist (3,489) and Computer Numerically Controlled (CNC) Machinist Technology/CNC Machinist (2,254). Browse all Precision Production majors or the full list of college majors.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Welding Technology/Welder | 64,207 |
| Machine Tool Technology/Machinist | 3,489 |
| Computer Numerically Controlled (CNC) Machinist Technology/CNC Machinist | 2,254 |
| Metal Fabricator | 588 |
| Tool and Die Technology/Technician | 423 |
| Sheet Metal Technology/Sheetworking | 415 |
| Precision Metal Working, Other | 296 |
| Ironworking/Ironworker | 102 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
