Job prospects Machinist in Ontario

Explore current and future job prospects for people working as a "machinist" in Ontario or Canada.

Job opportunities in Ontario

The employment outlook will be moderate for Machinists and machining and tooling inspectors (NOC 7231) in Ontario for the 2022-2024 period.

The following factors contributed to this outlook:

• Employment is expected to remain relatively stable.
• Several positions will become available due to retirements.

What Types of Employers Are Out There?

• Manufacturers, particularly in fabricated metal, machinery, motor vehicle parts, and aerospace manufacturing

What are the Main Trends Affecting Employment?

• Investments in the automotive industry may boost activity in motor vehicle and parts manufacturing, though a shortage of semiconductor chips has led to production stoppages
• Need for fabricated metal goods to support investments in construction, power, and mining
• Conditions in aerospace manufacturing are expected to slowly recover as travel picks up

What Skills Do I Need to Succeed?

• There are three voluntary skilled trades associated with this occupation in Ontario named General Machinist, Motive Power Machinist, and Tool and Gauge Inspector
• Employers may prefer candidates with trade certification or those with several years of experience and courses in machining
• Experience with computer numerical control (CNC) machinery is often required
• Ability to use computer-aided design (CAD) software may be preferred for some positons
• Experience using manual machines, grinders, presses and mills is an asset
• Knowledge of measuring tools, such as gauges and callipers
• Some employers may prefer candidates with hands-on experience in a specific field such as motor vehicle production or aerospace manufacturing
• Machinists in aerospace manufacturing may need experience with certain composite materials

What Other Information Will I Find Helpful?

• Ability to work various shifts may be required
• Maintenance machinists may have to be on-call for emergency repairs
• Machinists with several years of experience and formal training may be able to move into inspector or supervisory roles over time.

Here are some key facts about Machinists and machining and tooling inspectors in Ontario:

• Approximately 14,650 people work in this occupation.
• Machinists and machining and tooling inspectors mainly work in the following sectors:
  • Fabricated metal product manufacturing (NAICS 332): 28%
  • Machinery manufacturing (NAICS 333): 20%
  • Motor vehicle, body, trailer and parts manufacturing (NAICS 3361-3363): 14%
  • Other transportation equipment manufacturing (NAICS transportation equipment manufacturin): 6%
  • Miscellaneous manufacturing (NAICS 339): 6%
• 78% of machinists and machining and tooling inspectors work all year, while 22% work only part of the year, compared to 63% and 37% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 34 weeks compared to 31 weeks for all occupations.
• less than 5% of machinists and machining and tooling inspectors are self-employed compared to an average of 12% for all occupations.
• The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:
  • Men: more than 95% compared to 52% for all occupations
  • Women: less than 5% compared to 48% for all occupations
• The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:
  • no high school diploma: 7% compared to 10% for all occupations
  • high school diploma or equivalent: 24% compared to 27% for all occupations
  • apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 25% compared to 6% for all occupations
  • college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 38% compared to 26% for all occupations
  • bachelor's degree: less than 5% compared to 21% for all occupations
  • university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: less than 5% compared to 10% for all occupations

Breakdown by region

Explore job prospects in Ontario by economic region.

Source Labour Market Information | Prospects Methodology

Labour market conditions over the next 10 years

Explore current and future job prospects for people working as a "machinist" Machinists and machining and tooling inspectors (NOC 72100) or Canada.

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