Machinists Salary in California
The median pay for a machinists in California is $56,220/year ($27.03/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $36K at the entry level to $86K for experienced workers.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across California. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $56K get you in California?
About machinists
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Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, California
Entry-level machinists (10th percentile) start around $36K. Mid-career wages sit at $56K. Top earners bring in $86K or more, a $50K spread from bottom to top.
Machinists salary by metro in California
22 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont | $66K | +18% | 2,000 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad | $64K | +13% | 2,430 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara | $63K | +12% | 1,830 |
| Vallejo | $60K | +6% | 150 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara | $57K | +2% | 180 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles | $57K | +2% | 160 |
| Chico | $56K | -0% | 80 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom | $56K | -1% | 610 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma | $55K | -2% | 240 |
| Bakersfield-Delano | $55K | -3% | 300 |
| Yuba City | $54K | -3% | 40 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura | $53K | -6% | 590 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville | $53K | -7% | 70 |
| Modesto | $52K | -8% | 120 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim | $51K | -10% | 8,820 |
| Fresno | $50K | -12% | 370 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario | $50K | -12% | 1,960 |
| Visalia | $48K | -14% | 160 |
| Redding | $48K | -15% | 60 |
| Salinas | $47K | -17% | 110 |
| Stockton-Lodi | $47K | -17% | 230 |
| Merced | $46K | -19% | 40 |
Showing 1–10 of 22 metros
Compare to other states
Track machinists salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when California numbers change.
Related careers in Production & Manufacturing
Frequently asked questions
How much do machinists make in California?
The median is $56,220 a year, that works out to about $27 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $36,370, and experienced machinists can clear $86,060. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $56K enough to live in California?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,796/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $2,471/month, which eats 65.1% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb, housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a machinists salary go in California?
California has a Regional Price Parity of 100 (100 is the national average). That's right at the national average. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median machinists salary is worth about $52,968 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do machinists get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.