10 of the Most Popular Types of Machine Jobs in 2026

See what kind of roles similar to Machine jobs are hiring now

Top Types Of Machine Jobs

• No Experience Machinist

  Salary range: $43,500 - $59,500

  No Experience Machinist is a typical job search query Most salaries for No Experience Machinist jobs pay between $43,500 (25th percentile) and $59,500 (75th percentile) annually. Take a look at the variety of open positions nationwide for No Experience Machinist job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter.

• Machinist

  Salary range: $43,500 - $59,500

  A machinist is someone who uses heavy equipment to cut machinery parts made of different materials including steel, silicon, aluminum, and plastic. Machinist work takes a great amount of focus and precision. Machinists must be able to read mechanical blueprints, make calculations, determine machine speed, and perform precise cuts to create tools, fixtures, building materials, and other products. In addition to creating products based on preset specifications, machinists must also maintain their machines to ensure they cut properly and safely. This means keeping them properly lubricated and regulating their temperature. In many cases, machinists must have a working knowledge of computers which may help them determine cutting patterns and paths.

• Heavy Equipment

  Salary range: $62,500 - $76,000

  Heavy equipment jobs are typically within the construction or industrial maintenance industries. The two main categories of heavy equipment jobs are heavy equipment operator and heavy equipment mechanic. As a heavy equipment operator, you are in charge of running large pieces of equipment to help build or maintain roads, bridges, large structures, and tunnels or pipelines. Your job duties may include operating bulldozers, front-end loaders, or backhoes responsibly during large projects. Heavy equipment mechanics, on the other hand, help to keep this equipment in working order for the operators by working on engines and other moving parts of the machinery.

• Manual Lathe Machine Operator

  Salary range: $38,000 - $51,000

  Manual Lathe Machine Operator is a more unusual job search query but still may give you interesting job results. Most salaries for Manual Lathe Machine Operator jobs pay between $38,000 (25th percentile) and $51,000 (75th percentile) annually. Currently, there are not many open positions nationwide for Manual Lathe Machine Operator job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter. You can take a look at what is available and find similar job searches in this list.

• Operador Maquina

  Salary range: $30,000 - $37,000

  Operador Maquina is a more unusual job search query but still may give you interesting job results. Most salaries for Operador Maquina jobs pay between $30,000 (25th percentile) and $37,000 (75th percentile) annually. Currently, there are not many open positions nationwide for Operador Maquina job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter. You can take a look at what is available and find similar job searches in this list.

• Machinery Technician

  Salary range: $43,500 - $64,500

  Machinery Technician is a typical job search query Most salaries for Machinery Technician jobs pay between $43,500 (25th percentile) and $64,500 (75th percentile) annually. Currently, there are not many open positions nationwide for Machinery Technician job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter. You can take a look at what is available and find similar job searches in this list.

• Contract Machinist

  Salary range: $43,500 - $59,500

  Contract Machinist is a typical job search query Most salaries for Contract Machinist jobs pay between $43,500 (25th percentile) and $59,500 (75th percentile) annually. Take a look at the variety of open positions nationwide for Contract Machinist job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter.

• Production Operator

  Salary range: $33,500 - $40,500

  As a production operator, your main responsibilities are to work on an assembly line and to maintain the machine that performs a specialized task at your workstation. Your job duties involve working with metal, plastic, or other consumer goods materials. You need a solid understanding of industry standards and safety protocols, and the patience to perform repetitive tasks throughout your shifts. One of the qualifications for a career as a production operator is a high school diploma or GED certificate. Your employer will provide on-the-job training. Detail-oriented skills are essential for production operator jobs.

• Heavy Equipment Operator

  Salary range: $40,500 - $56,000

  Heavy Equipment Operator jobs require the safe and proper use of various types of heavy machinery in a large construction or demolition environment. The tasks of a Heavy Equipment Operator vary depending on the type of job and machinery. Examples of heavy equipment include bulldozers, excavators, loaders, and backhoes. Heavy equipment operators most commonly work in construction, oil and gas pipelines, and logging.

• Manufacturing

  Salary range: $42,000 - $60,000

  Manufacturing jobs involve creating new products and goods. Manufacturers use raw materials or separate components to build something entirely new. Whether it’s chemical, physical, or mechanical, as long as you are creating a product, you are working in manufacturing. The only exception is construction, which is considered separate from manufacturing. Manufacturing jobs include making prepackaged food or beverages, creating computers and electronics, and producing clothing. Bakers, printers, tailors, furniture builders, and woodworkers are all considered manufacturers. Most manufacturers work in a factory, mill, or plant, but you can also find work in labs.