CNC Machinist Jobs in Arlington, TX
CNC machinist work around Arlington centers on aerospace machine shops in neighboring Grand Prairie and on GM Arlington Assembly, one of the plants in GM's skilled-trades apprenticeship program. Experienced machinists typically earn $24 to $31 an hour. Here are the current openings, then who is hiring and how to train.
Current CNC machinist Openings in Arlington, TX
Listings marked External are sponsored openings provided by the Jobs2Careers network.
CNC Machinist Work in Arlington
Much of the precision machining near Arlington sits just east in Grand Prairie, where aerospace employers such as Safran Helicopter Engines on Forum Drive and Albers Aerospace run CNC shops. Safran's machinist work is export-controlled and requires U.S. person status, and both shops want machinists who can set up their own jobs and hold parts to the print, the skills that move pay up fastest.
Inside Arlington, GM Arlington Assembly on E Abram St lists Arlington among the sites in its apprenticeship program, which trains toolmakers and other skilled trades with exposure to CNC machining. Bell's Dallas/Fort Worth operations add another aerospace employer within commuting distance. Because the shops are spread across Arlington, Grand Prairie and Fort Worth, most machinists here drive to work.
Top Arlington Employers Hiring CNC Machinists
These employers have posted machining roles or name machining trades for their Arlington-area sites:
- Safran Helicopter Engines - the Grand Prairie site posted a Machinist role in September 2026 to set up and run conventional and CNC mills, lathes and grinders; U.S. person status required.
- Albers Aerospace - the aerospace manufacturer is hiring a CNC Machinist III and a CNC Programmer in Grand Prairie.
- GM Arlington Assembly - GM's apprenticeship program lists its Arlington plant and trains toolmakers on processes including CNC machining.
- Bell - Bell's careers site lists Dallas/Fort Worth among its locations, with a Manufacturing job family that covers shop-floor roles.
CNC Machinist Salaries in Arlington
- Entry level (CNC operator): about $18 to $22 an hour.
- Experienced (CNC machinist): roughly $24 to $31 an hour.
- Senior (setup machinist, CNC programmer): about $33 to $38 an hour or more.
These are estimates based on BLS May 2025 national figures, which put the machinist median at $58,750 a year (about $28 an hour), the lowest 10% under $39,200 and the top 10% above $80,010, with tool and die makers at a $64,050 median. Aerospace work, multi-axis setup, programming skill and second or weekend shifts push pay toward the top of the range, while entry operator jobs and staffing-agency placements start lower.
How to Become a CNC Machinist in Arlington
Most machinists start with a high school diploma or GED and learn on the job, often beginning as machine operators. Texas does not license machinists. Tarrant County College's South Campus in Fort Worth offers a CNC Machinist Technology certificate (25 credit hours, about $1,850 in-county for 2026-27), a Manufacturing Technology certificate (44 credit hours) and a 60-hour Manufacturing Technology AAS. Safran's Grand Prairie posting asked for a technical school certificate or 6 to 12 months of related experience, and GM trains toolmakers through its own apprenticeship. Arlington ISD students can start in the Manufacturing cluster at the Dan Dipert Career and Technical Center.
What the Job Involves
CNC machinists read blueprints, set up mills, lathes and grinders with the right tooling and fixtures, set speeds, feeds and offsets, and edit machine programs. They run parts, measure them with micrometers, calipers and gauges, and adjust the machine when a dimension drifts out of tolerance. Senior machinists program new parts and troubleshoot problems with engineers and production staff.
Skills Employers Look For
- Blueprint reading and GD&T
- Precision measurement with micrometers, calipers and gauges
- Machine setup, tooling and offsets
- G-code editing or CAM programming for senior roles
- Multi-axis mill or mill-turn experience
- Attention to detail and problem solving
Career Path and Advancement
Around Arlington the ladder usually runs from CNC operator to machinist, then setup machinist and CNC programmer, a role Albers Aerospace posts in Grand Prairie. From there, machinists move into toolmaking through programs like GM's apprenticeship, into shop leadership, or into manufacturing engineering support at the aerospace plants in Grand Prairie and Fort Worth.
Related Careers in Arlington
If CNC machining interests you, these related Arlington roles are worth exploring:
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you need a license to be a CNC machinist in Texas?
No. Texas does not license machinists. Employers judge you on training, setup skill and the parts you can hold to tolerance.
How much do CNC machinists make in Arlington?
Entry CNC operators earn about $18 to $22 an hour, experienced machinists roughly $24 to $31, and setup machinists and programmers about $33 to $38 or more. These are estimates; aerospace work and later shifts pay more.
Do aerospace machine shops near Arlington require U.S. citizenship?
Many require U.S. person status because the parts fall under export-control rules. Safran's Grand Prairie machinist posting, for example, is ITAR-controlled and requires U.S. person status or export eligibility.
How long does CNC training take at Tarrant County College?
TCC's CNC Machinist Technology certificate is 25 credit hours at the South Campus in Fort Worth, and the full Manufacturing Technology AAS is 60 credit hours. Some employers accept 6 to 12 months of shop experience instead.
Can I start as a machine operator and move up?
Yes. Most machinists learn on the job after starting as operators, taking on setups and programming over time. Getting a certificate while you work speeds up that move.
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