Machinists Salary in U.S. (2024)
The median pay for a machinists in U.S. is $56,150/year ($27/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $38K at the entry level to $79K for experienced workers.
Updated
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024
So what does $56K get you in U.S.?
About machinists
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, U.S.
Entry-level machinists (10th percentile) start around $38K. Mid-career wages sit at $56K.Top earners bring in $79K or more - a $41K spread from bottom to top.
Machinists pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $102K | +81% | 230 |
| Hawaii | $77K | +37% | 290 |
| Alaska | $73K | +29% | 140 |
| Washington | $65K | +15% | 6,980 |
| Wyoming | $64K | +14% | 300 |
| Massachusetts | $62K | +11% | 7,870 |
| Oregon | $62K | +11% | 3,220 |
| New Jersey | $62K | +10% | 3,530 |
| Maine | $62K | +10% | 1,560 |
| Montana | $61K | +9% | 680 |
| Connecticut | $61K | +9% | 6,070 |
| Virginia | $61K | +8% | 6,140 |
| Utah | $60K | +8% | 3,680 |
| Delaware | $60K | +7% | 390 |
| New York | $60K | +7% | 8,870 |
Track machinists salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when U.S. numbers change.
Related careers in Production & Manufacturing
Frequently asked questions
How much do machinists make in U.S.?
The median is $56,150 a year - that works out to about $27 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $38,100, and experienced machinists can clear $78,760. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $56K enough to live in U.S.?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,930/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,412/month, which eats 35.9% 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 U.S.?
U.S. 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 $56,150 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.