by our College Data Analytics TeamStudying Engine Machinist involves the study of Engine Machinist. A Program That Prepares Individuals To Apply Technical Knowledge And Skills To The Building And Reconstruction Of Automotive And Commercial Vehicle Engines. Includes Instruction In Cylinder Head And Block, Crack Repair, Crankshaft Inspection And Repair, Connecting Rods And Pistons, Balancing, Block Preparation, Disassembly And Repair, Engine Assembly, Gas And Diesel Technology, And Inspection And Machining. Continue reading for the important information every engine machinist major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering engine machinist programs.
In the U.S., engine machinist draws strong interest, with 77 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Engine Machinist Schools ranking analyzes these 2 schools to determine the best overall colleges for engine machinist students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of engine machinist programs later in this article.
Programs in Engine Machinist emphasize a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations engine machinist graduates commonly enter.
The skill set emphasized by a engine machinist program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Per O*NET surveys, a engine machinist major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several engine machinist degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 70 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 7 |
People currently working in careers related to engine machinist tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| High school diploma or equivalent | 64.0% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 12.9% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 11.2% |
| Master’s degree | 7.2% |
| Some college courses | 4.7% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in engine machinist careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Studying engine machinist prepares you for numerous career paths. Below are some of the most common occupations related to engine machinist.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to engine machinist.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Engine and Other Machine Assemblers | 496,018 | 7.8% |
College Scorecard reports median earnings of engine machinist graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. These numbers tend to grow as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $37,744 |
| 4 years | $43,612 |
| 5 years | $49,558 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for engine machinist graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers engine machinist grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Engine and Other Machine Assemblers | $40,880 |
With 2 different engine machinist programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased engine machinist school rankings to help you.
Those considering engine machinist, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
