From Maintenance Techs to CNC Machinists: Staffing Hard-to-Fill Skilled Roles

September 28, 2025

From Maintenance Techs to CNC Machinists: Staffing Hard-to-Fill Skilled Roles

 

Finding skilled workers has always been a challenge—but in today’s market, roles like maintenance technicians and CNC machinists can feel nearly impossible to fill. These jobs require specialized training, attention to detail, and hands-on experience that not every candidate brings to the table.

For employers, the shortage means longer vacancies, production delays, and more strain on existing staff. For job seekers with the right skills, it means plenty of opportunity—but matching the right talent to the right role takes strategy.

In this article, we’ll look at why these skilled roles are so tough to hire for, the impact on employers, and practical staffing solutions that can help close the gap.

Understanding the Skilled Labor Shortage

Deloitte projects that U.S. companies will need nearly 3.8 million manufacturing workers by 2033. That gives employers time to plan ahead, but the path forward won’t be easy—especially for smaller businesses with limited HR resources.

The problem isn’t that manufacturing is growing too fast. It’s that the industry is losing workers faster than it can replace them. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported a drop of 11,000 manufacturing jobs between June and July 2025. At the same time, the number of unemployed workers nationwide has increased. This mismatch shows that open roles exist, but applicants often lack the specialized experience those jobs require.

So, why has it become so difficult to fill skilled manufacturing roles? A few key reasons include:

  • An aging workforce as experienced professionals retire
  • Limited interest among younger generations in manufacturing careers
  • Higher technical demands, with advanced technology raising the bar for required skills

There isn’t a single fix for these challenges. But it’s important to remember: many educated, tech-savvy workers are looking for opportunities. The challenge is connecting with them.

Impact of the Labor Shortage on Manufacturing Operations

Unfilled positions don’t just affect job seekers—they create real strain on employers, too. Companies struggling to hire often face:

  • Higher costs from overtime and stopgap staffing
  • Production delays that prevent them from fulfilling orders
  • Contract renegotiations and wasted time when deadlines slip
  • Lower morale and brand damage when existing employees are stretched too thin

The longer positions remain open, the greater the risk to productivity, profitability, and reputation.

Strategies for Attracting Skilled Maintenance Technicians and CNC Machinists

The shortage is challenging, but not impossible to overcome. Employers are finding success with approaches like:

  • Competitive pay and benefits. For example, CNC machinists earned a median salary of $56,150 in May 2024
  • Training and development. In-house apprenticeships and partnerships with technical schools create new talent pipelines.
  • Positive, inclusive cultures. Workplaces where employees feel valued and see career growth opportunities are more likely to retain skilled staff.
  • Leveraging technology. Automation and digital tools attract tech-savvy workers while reducing dependency on manual labor.

Some of these solutions are straightforward, like adjusting pay. Others—like developing pipelines or filling urgent roles—require deeper expertise and resources.

Role of Staffing Partners in Addressing Skilled Labor Shortages

That’s where a staffing partner like Snelling comes in. Filling highly skilled roles takes more than a job posting—it requires access to networks of vetted professionals who are ready to work with minimal ramp-up time.

Snelling specializes in helping SMBs in manufacturing and beyond hire the people they need, from maintenance techs to CNC machinists. With more than 65 years of staffing experience, we stay ahead of recruitment trends, compliance standards, and training needs—so you don’t have to.

Get started today by connecting with your local Snelling office. We’ll help you build the workforce you need to keep production on track and your business moving forward.