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Salary comparison

Machinists vs. Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators: Who Earns More?

Machinistss out-earn Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricatorss by $14K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Machinistss land at $58,750 and Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricatorss at $44,650. The education gap is real: machinist programs typically require high school diploma or equivalent, while miscellaneous assemblers and fabricator programs require high school diploma or equivalent. Top-paying state for Machinistss is Hawaii ($84,410); for Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricatorss it's District of Columbia ($50,330).

Machinists
Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators
Median salary
$58,750
$44,650
Hourly rate
$28.24/hr
$21.47/hr
Entry level (10th %)
$39,200
$33,280
Senior level (90th %)
$80,010
$64,880
Education required
High school diploma or equivalent
High school diploma or equivalent
U.S. employment
287,050
1,405,030
Job growth (10-year)
N/A
N/A
Category
Production & Manufacturing
Production & Manufacturing
Top-paying state
Hawaii
District of Columbia

Pay by state

States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Machinists median pay.

State
Machinists
Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators
Hawaii
$84,410
$49,630
Alaska
$77,670
$49,390
District of Columbia
$72,900
$50,330
Massachusetts
$67,270
$46,720
Washington
$66,160
$48,260
Oregon
$63,820
$46,910
North Dakota
$61,820
$47,250
New Hampshire
$61,500
$46,940
Minnesota
$61,140
$46,920
Colorado
$60,200
$46,150
Missouri
$58,710
$46,480
Kentucky
$58,660
$47,950
Iowa
$57,540
$48,920
California
$57,190
$47,720
Nevada
$53,050
$49,050

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.

Common questions

Who earns more, Machinistss or Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricatorss?

Machinistss earn more nationally. The median is $58,750 for Machinistss versus $44,650 for Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricatorss, a difference of $14K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.

Which has better job growth, Machinists or Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators?

BLS Employment Projections data is not available for one or both occupations. Check the individual career pages for current outlook figures.

Which requires more education, Machinists or Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators?

Machinists typically requires high school diploma or equivalent. Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators requires high school diploma or equivalent. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.

Where do Machinistss get paid the most?

Hawaii is the top-paying state for Machinistss at $84,410/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.

How does Machinists vs. Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators pay differ by state?

The gap varies significantly by state. In Hawaii, Machinistss earn $84,410 vs. $49,630 for Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricatorss. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.

Full Machinists salary breakdownView →Full Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators salary breakdownView →Best cities for Machinistss by take-home payExplore →Best cities for Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricatorss by take-home payExplore →How to become a machinistsGuide →How to become a miscellaneous assemblers and fabricatorsGuide →