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Engine and Other Machine Assemblers

Typical education: High school diplomaModerate pressure

What they do

Construct, assemble, or rebuild machines, such as engines, turbines, and similar equipment used in such industries as construction, extraction, textiles, and paper manufacturing.

Kinds of work

  • Realistic: Hands-on work with tools, machines, plants or animals, often outdoors.
  • Conventional: Organizing information, following clear procedures and working with data and details.

Moderate pressure: How much pressure workers in this job report: deadlines, conflict, dealing with upset people, the cost of mistakes, responsibility for others' safety, competition and long hours. It varies a lot from one employer to the next. Source: U.S. Department of Labor worker surveys.

Pay, tasks and more

Salary

United States $53,710 Median per year · $25.82/hr Most earn $38,500–$77,750

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, 2025.

What you might do

  • Lay out and drill, ream, tap, or cut parts for assembly.
  • Position or align components for assembly, manually or using hoists.
  • Fasten or install piping, fixtures, or wiring and electrical components to form assemblies or subassemblies, using hand tools, rivet guns, or welding equipment.
  • Remove rough spots and smooth surfaces to fit, trim, or clean parts, using hand tools or power tools.
  • Read and interpret assembly blueprints or specifications manuals, and plan assembly or building operations.
  • Assemble systems of gears by aligning and meshing gears in gearboxes.

Job outlook

United States
17% fewer jobs by 2035, declining · about 2,100 openings a year

Openings include new jobs and jobs left by workers who retire or change careers. Projections: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. "Bright Outlook": U.S. Department of Labor.

Where they work

  • Motor vehicle parts manufacturing55.5%
  • Engine, turbine, and power transmission equipment manufacturing16.3%
  • Machinery manufacturing8.7%
  • Aerospace product and parts manufacturing7.0%

Share of all workers in this career. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Employment Matrix.

Experience before this job: 6 months to 1 year

Some people start through an apprenticeship: paid training on the job, often with classes. Search apprenticeships on Apprenticeship.gov (opens in a new tab) ↗

Career path

How people usually get into this career, from school to their first job and beyond.

Typical education: High school diplomaExperience before this job: 6 months to 1 year

This is an entry-level job. You can often start with a high school diploma, and most people spend about 6 months to 1 year learning on the job before they work as a full engine or machine assembler.

  1. High school diploma

    4 years

    Build a base in math, shop, and science so you can read blueprints and understand how machines work.

  2. Entry-level Production Assembler

    6 months to 1 year

    Start as a helper or assembler in a factory or repair shop, where you learn to use hand and power tools, follow technical drawings, and handle parts safely.

  3. Engine and Other Machine Assembler

    Ongoing

    Build, assemble, or rebuild engines, turbines, and other machines, checking each part to make sure it fits and works as designed.

Where it can lead

  1. Industrial Machinery Mechanic

    1-2 years of experience first

    Move from assembling machines to keeping them running, which means diagnosing breakdowns, doing preventive maintenance, and often completing a certificate or apprenticeship.

  2. Millwright

    1-2 years of experience first

    Take on bigger jobs like installing, moving, and aligning heavy equipment in plants, usually after gaining hands-on mechanical skills and training.

What you can do now

Ideas for high school and college students.

In high school

  • Take shop, drafting, or engineering classesThese classes teach you to use tools and read technical drawings, which you'll use every day as an assembler.
  • Take math, especially geometry and algebraMeasuring parts and understanding tolerances depends on strong math skills.
  • Join a technical or robotics clubBuilding and fixing things with a team helps you practice problem-solving and teamwork.
  • Get a summer or part-time job at a shop, farm, or garageWorking around machines and tools gives you real experience that employers look for.
  • Volunteer to help with small engine or equipment repairsFixing lawn mowers, bikes, or other small engines helps you learn how engines fit together.

In college

  • Take courses in machining, welding, or manufacturing technologyCommunity colleges often offer these classes, and they teach hands-on skills that assemblers use.
  • Work a campus job in a lab, maker space, or facilities departmentHands-on work with equipment builds the experience employers want, even while you're still in school.
  • Join a engineering or automotive student clubClubs like these let you build machines in teams and often compete in projects, which looks good on a resume.
  • Get a summer internship or job at a manufacturing plantSeeing how a plant runs and working alongside experienced assemblers gives you practical skills and industry contacts.
  • Look into a short certificate in industrial maintenance or machine toolsA short certificate shows employers you have formal training, which can help you get hired or move up later.

Tips for getting started

  • Ask a local machine shop, auto repair shop, or manufacturer if they hire summer helpers or entry-level assemblers. Even a few months of hands-on work counts.
  • Learn to read technical drawings and measurements early. Being precise is one of the most valued skills in this job.
  • Your pay and advancement depend on where you work and what training you get. You can see typical pay near you and nationally on the career's page.

Related jobs that often lead here

Related jobs a step up

Education, experience and related careers: U.S. Department of Labor. The step-by-step path, where it can lead and what you can do now were written by AI as typical examples; many people take other ways.

College majors that lead here

Majors: U.S. Department of Education and BLS (CIP–SOC crosswalk). Earnings and debt: College Scorecard, typical across U.S. colleges.

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