CNC Machinist
Set up and run computer-controlled machines that cut precision metal parts.
- $58,750
- 6–24 months
Mechanics, Maintenance & Manufacturing career
Drilling Machine Operator
Also called: Drill Press Operator · Boring Mill Operator · Radial Drill Operator · Tapping Machine Operator
What drilling machine operators do, what they earn, how long training takes and how to get started, with official BLS pay data and practical, job-level detail.
What does a drilling machine operator do?
Drilling and boring machine tool setters, operators and tenders, metal and plastic, set up, operate or tend drilling machines to drill, bore, ream, mill or countersink metal or plastic work pieces. The median pay is $49,080 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about A few months on the job, and employment is projected to grow -9.5% from 2025–35.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
- Median pay$49,080$23.60/hour · May 2025
- Job growth-9.5%2025–35, a projected decline
- Openings per year400Average, 2025–35
- Typical entry educationHigh school diploma or equivalentBLS classification
- Time to trainA few months on the jobTypical program length
- U.S. jobs4,700Employment, 2025
What drilling machine operators do
Drilling machine operators make holes to exact specs. They set up drill presses and boring mills, choose bits and speeds, clamp parts in fixtures, drill, tap and ream holes, and measure them.
A high school diploma and moderate on-the-job training are typical. It is a small occupation, and BLS projects decline as CNC machines take over.
Typical duties
- Set up drilling machines
- Select tools
- Clamp parts
- Drill and tap holes
- Ream and countersink
- Measure holes
- Maintain tools
Work environment and schedule
Operators work in machine shops and plants.
Schedule: Full time, often shifts.
A day in the life
- Review the drawing.
- Set up a fixture.
- Drill first article.
- Measure holes.
See a full day in the life of a drilling machine operator →
Drilling Machine Operator salary
Half of drilling machine operators earned more than $49,080 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $36,300 for the lowest 10% to $68,410 for the top 10%.
Full drilling machine operator pay scale and hourly rates →
How to become a drilling machine operator
- Finish high school
- Take machining classes
- Get hired
- Earn NIMS credentials
- Advance
A high school diploma and moderate on-the-job training are typical.
Step-by-step guide to becoming a drilling machine operator →
Skills and tools
Technical skills
- Drill press setup
- Speeds and feeds
- Tapping
- Measurement
- Blueprint reading
People skills
- Precision
- Focus
- Reliability
- Safety awareness
All drilling machine operator skills and tools →
Pros and cons
Pros
- No degree needed
- Path to machinist
- Steady shop work
- Precision
Cons
- Declining employment
- Repetitive
- Noise
- Metal chips
Certifications and licenses
- NIMS Drill Press: Credential.
- Machining certificate: Community college.
- OSHA 10: Safety.
- Blueprint reading course: Helpful.
Career path
- Operator: Entry.
- Setup Operator: Setups.
- Machinist: Machining.
- Lead: Lead.
Learn the job before day one
Our Drilling Machine Operator training (10 hours, $89.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as set the right drill speed and tap a threaded hole, safety and how to land your first job.
Related careers
Milling Machine Operator
Cut slots, pockets and flat surfaces in metal with milling machines.
- $52,800
- A few months on the job
Lathe Operator
Turn metal on a lathe to make shafts, bushings and round parts.
- $50,620
- A few months on the job
CNC Operator
Run computer-controlled machines that cut precise metal and plastic parts.
- $50,690
- A few months on the job
Compare: Drilling Machine Operator vs. CNC Machinist · Drilling Machine Operator vs. Milling Machine Operator · Drilling Machine Operator vs. Lathe Operator · Drilling Machine Operator vs. CNC Operator
Drilling Machine Operator FAQ
Do I need a degree?
No.
Is the job declining?
BLS projects decline as CNC grows.
Can I become a machinist?
Yes.
How much does a drilling machine operator make?
The median annual wage for drilling machine operators was $49,080 ($23.60 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $36,300 and the highest 10% earned more than $68,410.
How long does it take to become a drilling machine operator?
Most people need about A few months on the job of training. A high school diploma and moderate on-the-job training are typical.
Do you need a degree to be a drilling machine operator?
No four-year degree is typically required. BLS lists “high school diploma or equivalent” as the typical entry-level education, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.
More drilling machine operator questions →
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 51-4032 (Drilling and boring machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic).
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
- O*NET OnLine summary for Drilling and boring machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic (U.S. Department of Labor).
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.