Occupations · Production
Engine and Other Machine Assemblers
Construct, assemble, or rebuild machines, such as engines, turbines, and similar equipment used in such industries as construction, extraction, textiles, and paper manufacturing.
O*NET 30.3 Database (USDOL/ETA) · occupation code 51-2031.00
What it pays
A single “average salary” hides the spread. This is the whole distribution — the gap between the bottom and top bar is usually the number that matters.
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024 · national, cross-industry · annual wage
Pay over time
Median up 62% between 2003 and 2024, before inflation. The band shows the 10th to 90th percentile.
BLS OEWS, one release per year. Before May 2011 only national estimates were published, so geography detail starts there.
Where the jobs are
| Metro area | Median wage | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI | $49,930 | 3,040 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $47,630 | 970 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI | $47,680 | 760 |
| Grand Rapids-Wyoming, MI | $50,260 | 620 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Mauldin, SC | $50,530 | 410 |
| Toledo, OH | $71,050 | 410 |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Anderson, IN | $48,650 | 380 |
| Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC | $34,900 | 360 |
| Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX | $46,210 | 350 |
| Milwaukee-Waukesha-West Allis, WI | $59,310 | 340 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $67,990 | 200 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $71,970 | 200 |
BLS OEWS May 2024, metropolitan estimates · the 12 areas with the most people in this occupation
Typical education to enter: High school diploma or equivalent · BLS Employment Projections 2024–34
What people in this job actually do
Ordered by how important the work is rated.
- Read and interpret assembly blueprints or specifications manuals, and plan assembly or building operations.
- Inspect, operate, and test completed products to verify functioning, machine capabilities, or conformance to customer specifications.
- Position or align components for assembly, manually or using hoists.
- Set and verify parts clearances.
- Verify conformance of parts to stock lists or blueprints, using measuring instruments such as calipers, gauges, or micrometers.
- 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.
- Lay out and drill, ream, tap, or cut parts for assembly.
- Rework, repair, or replace damaged parts or assemblies.
- Set up and operate metalworking machines, such as milling or grinding machines, to shape or fabricate parts.
- Assemble systems of gears by aligning and meshing gears in gearboxes.
- Maintain and lubricate parts or components.
O*NET 30.3 task ratings, importance scale
Skills that matter most
Importance, rated 1 to 5.
O*NET 30.3 skills, importance scale
Software and tools
A dot marks what O*NET flags as in demand.
O*NET 30.3 software skills · hot-technology flag
What this work is actually like
Conditions rated against the average across all occupations — only what makes this job different is listed.
O*NET 30.3 Job Zones
Working conditions that stand out
O*NET 30.3 work context, frequency scale · observed 2014-07
How people actually get in
Share of workers by the education they hold.
O*NET 30.2 education, training and experience · observed 2014-07
What kind of person the work suits
Occupational interest profile, rated 1 to 7.
O*NET 30.2 occupational interests (RIASEC)
What you take with you
Skills rated for how well they transfer into other occupations.
O*NET 30.3 transferable skills, importance scale
Knowledge the work draws on
Abilities it leans on
O*NET 30.3 abilities and knowledge, importance scale
How this job is advertised
The same work is posted under many titles — this is what to search for.
O*NET 30.3 job titles reported for this occupation
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What changed since 2015
Comparing O*NET release 20.1 (2015-10-01) with 30.3 (2026-05-01). Signs, not colour alone, carry the meaning.
Now listed 3
No longer listed 3
Diff across the O*NET releases held here in full since October 2015, following occupations through merges and retirements. O*NET re-surveys occupations on a rolling cycle, so “no change” can also mean “not re-surveyed”.
Related jobs
O*NET 30.3 related occupations
Also called
O*NET 30.3 alternative titles
The same work in Europe
| ESCO occupation | ISCO | Match |
|---|---|---|
| aircraft gas turbine engine overhaul technician | 7232.3 | close |
| motor vehicle engine assembler | 8211.5.2 | broader |
| vessel engine assembler | 8211.7 | broader |
| aircraft engine assembler | 8211.1.1 | broader |
| industrial machinery assembler | 8211.2 | broader |
Official ESCO ↔ O*NET crosswalk (ESCO Secretariat with USDOL/ETA)
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