72100 – Machinists and machining and tooling inspectors
TEER 2Occupations usually requiring a college diploma or apprenticeship of 2 years or more, or supervisory occupations
Lead statement
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. Apprentices are also included in this occupation.
Main duties
- Read and interpret engineering drawings, blueprints, charts and tables or study sample parts to determine machining operation 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, non-repetitive machining operations such as sawing, turning, milling, boring, planing, drilling, precision grinding and other operations
- Fit and assemble machined metal 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.
- 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 supervisor
- Complete and maintain inspection reports.
Employment requirements
- Completion of secondary school is usually required.
- Completion of a four-year apprenticeship program ora combination of over four years of work experience and industry courses in machining may be required for trade certification.
- Trade certification for machinists is available, but voluntary, in all provinces and territories.
- Trade certification for machinists (CNC) is available, but voluntary, in New Brunswick, Quebec and Manitoba.
- Red Seal endorsement is also available to qualified machinists upon successful completion of the interprovincial Red Seal examination.
- Trade certification for tool and gauge inspectors is available, but voluntary, in Ontario.
- Several years of experience as a machinist, tool and die maker or machining tool operator may be required for machining and tooling inspectors.
Example job titles
automotive machinist · electrical machinist · machinist · apprentice machinist · machinist apprentice · computer numerical control (CNC) machinist · tool and gauge inspector · machining and tooling inspector · tool and die inspector · toolroom inspector
Wages (per hour)
| Province / territory | Low | Median | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canada | $21.00 | $30.00 | $41.50 |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | $20.00 | $30.00 | $39.00 |
| Nova Scotia | $21.00 | $31.00 | $47.12 |
| New Brunswick | $20.00 | $30.00 | $36.00 |
| Quebec | $21.00 | $27.50 | $38.00 |
| Ontario | $21.00 | $30.00 | $40.85 |
| Manitoba | $19.00 | $28.00 | $40.00 |
| Saskatchewan | $28.85 | $35.00 | $45.00 |
| Alberta | $25.00 | $36.50 | $45.00 |
| British Columbia | $25.00 | $38.00 | $46.29 |
Source: Job Bank wages, 2025 release (ESDC). Low and high are the 10th and 90th percentiles.
Occupation details: ESDC OaSIS 2025, based on NOC 2021.