| Aspect | General Machinist | CNC Machinist |
|---|
| Credentials | High school diploma, machining certifications | High school diploma, CNC programming certifications |
| Work Environment | Machine shops, manufacturing plants | Machine shops, manufacturing plants, CNC centers |
| Job Focus | Manual machining, setup, and operation of various tools | Programming, setting up, and operating CNC machines |
| Skills | Manual machining, blueprint reading | CNC programming, computer skills |
While both General Machinists and CNC Machinists work in manufacturing environments and require machining skills, General Machinists focus on manual machining and setup, whereas CNC Machinists specialize in programming and operating computer-controlled machines. The roles often overlap, but CNC Machinists typically need additional computer programming skills and certifications.