by our College Data Analytics TeamMachine Shop Technology/Assistant was the 786th most popular major in the 2020-2021 school year. Colleges in the United States reported awarding 1,921 degrees in this year alone. This represents a 23.5% reduction in machine shop tech degrees awarded over the prior year's total of 2,373.
Our 2023 Best Machine Shop Technology/Assistant Schools ranking analyzes 8 of these schools to determine the best overall colleges for machine shop technology/assistant students. Explore this or one of our many other custom machine shop tech rankings further below.
Machine Shop Technology/Assistant majors are found most commonly in careers in which watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly is important. Controlling operations of equipment or systems and conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance are all required skills for careers related to this major.
A high school diploma or equivalent is typically required for most machine shop tech degree programs and many students will need a minimum GPA and SAT/ACT score depending on the school. Specific machine shop tech careers may require a certain level of degree attainment or additional certifications beyond that.
There are many different machine shop tech degree levels. Machine Shop Technology/Assistant programs offered by schools range from a to a , which is the highest machine shop tech degree you can get. The type of machine shop tech degree you choose will determine how long it takes to get your diploma.
| Degree | Credit Requirements | Typical Program Length |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 60-70 credits | 2 years |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 120 credits | 4 years |
| Master’s Degree | 50-70 credits | 1-3 years |
| Doctorate | Program required coursework including thesis or dissertation | At least 4 years |
An associate degree is the most common level of education achieved by those in careers related to machine shop tech, with approximately 4.4% of workers getting one. People currently working in careers related to machine shop tech tend obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| High School Diploma | 51.6% |
| Post-Secondary Certificate | 27.4% |
| Less than a High School Diploma | 7.6% |
| Some College Courses | 6.7% |
| Associate’s Degree (or other 2-year degree) | 4.6% |
The chart below shows what degree level those who work in machine shop technology/assistant have obtained.
The education level required is different depending on the machine shop tech career you are seeking.
Want a job when you graduate with your machine shop tech degree?
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to machine shop technology/assistant.
| Occupation Name | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Machinists | 404,100 | 2.0% |
| Machine Tool Operators | 147,300 | 1.1% |
| Metal and Plastic Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders | 114,700 | -2.6% |
| Metal and Plastic Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders | 68,300 | -10.4% |
| Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters | 65,200 | -15.3% |
As you might expect, salaries for machine shop tech graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Salaries for machine shop technology/assistant graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers machine shop tech grads often go into.
| Occupation Name | Median Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Metal and Plastic Layout Workers | $47,380 |
| Machinists | $45,250 |
| Machine Tool Operators | $41,960 |
| Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters | $41,640 |
| Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners | $40,890 |
With over 279 different machine shop tech degree programs to choose from, finding the best fit for you can be a challenge. Fortunately you have come to the right place. We have analyzed all of these schools to come up with hundreds of unbiased machine shop tech school rankings to help you with this.
Machine Shop Technology/Assistant is one of 8 different types of Precision Metal Working programs to choose from.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Welding Technology/Welder | 42,490 |
| Machine Tool Technology/Machinist | 3,285 |
| Computer Numerically Controlled (CNC) Machinist Technology/CNC Machinist | 2,689 |
| Tool & Die Technology/Technician | 584 |
| Metal Fabricator | 430 |
