Best institutions to study Engine Machinist
A program that prepares individuals to apply technical knowledge and skills to the building and reconstruction of automotive and commercial vehicle engines.
2 U.S. institutions graduated 55 Engine Machinist students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 47.0615, a specialization of Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians (CIP 47.06), and leads most directly to the Engine and Other Machine Assemblers occupation (BLS SOC 51-2031).
About Engine Machinist programs
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.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Engine Machinist program focuses on equipping students with the technical knowledge and skills necessary for building and reconstructing automotive and commercial vehicle engines. This program is ideal for individuals interested in a hands-on career in mechanic and repair technologies, specifically those who enjoy working with engines and machinery.
Students will gain expertise in various aspects of engine assembly and repair, including cylinder head and block work, crankshaft inspection, and engine assembly techniques. Core skills developed include reading blueprints, inspecting components, and using precision measuring instruments.
Credentials awarded
What Engine Machinist graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years28 graduates / yr · 2 institutions51%
- Award of at least 2 but less than 4 academic years19 graduates / yr · 1 institution35%
- Associate's degree8 graduates / yr · 1 institution15%
Graduates over time
Engine Machinist completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 133 |
| 2013 | 148 |
| 2014 | 116 |
| 2015 | 116 |
| 2016 | 136 |
| 2017 | 108 |
| 2018 | 179 |
| 2019 | 153 |
| 2020 | 96 |
| 2021 | 133 |
| 2022 | 107 |
| 2023 | 91 |
| 2024 | 77 |
| 2025 | 55 |
Top 2 institutions for Engine Machinist, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Field earnings* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | School of Automotive Machinists & Technology Houston, TXPrivate for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAward of at least 2 but less than 4 academic yearsAssociate's | 53 | 93% | $27,124 | $30,420 |
| 2 | Hinds Community College Raymond, MSPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 2 | 43% | — | $15,553 |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians field (CIP 47.06) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 2 states
Where Engine Machinist graduates come from. Each state links to all Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Texas | 1 | 53 | School of Automotive Machinists & Technology53 / yr |
| Mississippi | 1 | 2 | Hinds Community College2 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 51-2031, Engine and Other Machine Assemblers, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Engine Machinist program can pursue careers as Engine and Other Machine Assemblers. The job outlook indicates a decline of 21.1%, with approximately 2,800 annual openings. The median wage for this occupation is $52,540, and typical education required is a high school diploma or equivalent.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 47.0615
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Engine and Other Machine Assemblersprimary SOC 51-2031 | $53,710 | -21.1% Decline | ~2,800 | High school diploma or equivalent |
Job Zone 1-2: Very Little to Some Preparation Needed
- Education
- Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
- Experience
- Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
- Training
- Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Engine Machinist programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
What graduates do on the job
- 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.
Tools and technology used
Other Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians specializations
The 17 other 6-digit CIP codes under Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians (CIP 47.06).
- Automobile/CIP 47.0604
Automotive Mechanics Technology/ Technician 46,331 graduates / yr762 institutions - Diesel Mechanics Technology/CIP 47.0605
Technician 10,165 graduates / yr309 institutions - Airframe Mechanics and Aircraft Maintenance Technology/CIP 47.0607
Technician 9,434 graduates / yr157 institutions - Autobody/CIP 47.0603
Collision and Repair Technology/ Technician 5,352 graduates / yr264 institutions - Aircraft Powerplant Technology/CIP 47.0608
Technician 3,661 graduates / yr97 institutions - Medium/CIP 47.0613
Heavy Vehicle and Truck Technology/ Technician 2,278 graduates / yr87 institutions - Marine Maintenance/CIP 47.0616
Fitter and Ship Repair Technology/ Technician 918 graduates / yr48 institutions - Motorcycle Maintenance and Repair Technology/CIP 47.0611
Technician 852 graduates / yr28 institutions - Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technology/CIP 47.0600
Technician 814 graduates / yr27 institutions - Avionics Maintenance Technology/CIP 47.0609
Technician 710 graduates / yr35 institutions - High Performance and Custom Engine Technician/CIP 47.0617
Mechanic 479 graduates / yr13 institutions - Alternative Fuel Vehicle Technology/CIP 47.0614
Technician 192 graduates / yr23 institutions - Small Engine Mechanics and Repair Technology/CIP 47.0606
Technician 182 graduates / yr24 institutions - Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/CIP 47.0699
Technicians 157 graduates / yr10 institutions - Recreation Vehicle (RV) Service TechnicianCIP 47.0618limited data25 graduates / yr1 institutions
- Bicycle Mechanics and Repair Technology/CIP 47.0610
Technician limited data9 graduates / yr2 institutions - Vehicle Emissions Inspection and Maintenance Technology/CIP 47.0612
Technician limited data2 graduates / yr1 institutions
See all Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians programs →
Common questions
What is the duration of the Engine Machinist program?+
The program typically awards credentials of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop skills in reading comprehension, critical thinking, and mechanical knowledge.
What careers can I pursue after completing this program?+
You can work as an Engine and Other Machine Assembler.
What is the job outlook for engine machinists?+
The job outlook shows a decline of 21.1%, with about 2,800 openings annually.
What is the CIP code for Engine Machinist?+
Engine Machinist is CIP 47.0615 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians (CIP 47.06). NCES defines it as: 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.
How many institutions offer Engine Machinist programs?+
2 U.S. institutions reported Engine Machinist graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 2 states, awarding 55 credentials in the year. That is 0.1% of all Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians graduates.
How much do Engine Machinist graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Engine and Other Machine Assemblers occupation, which Engine Machinist most directly leads to, pays a median of $53,710 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians field report median earnings of $30,420 one year after graduation (College Scorecard).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
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