Machinists Salary in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA
The median pay for a machinists in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA is $66,320/year ($31.89/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $47K at the entry level to $118K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 115.61), so that salary is closer to $57,365 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $3,604/month — about 83.2% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $66K get you in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont?
About machinists
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA
Entry-level machinists (10th percentile) start around $47K. Mid-career wages sit at $66K.Top earners bring in $118K or more - a $71K 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 San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do machinists make in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA?
The median is $66,320 a year - that works out to about $31.89 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $46,730, and experienced machinists can clear $117,850. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $66K enough to live in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,387/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $3,604/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 82.2% 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 San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont?
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont has a Regional Price Parity of 115.61 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median machinists salary is worth about $57,365 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.