Trades & Labor
Machinist Salary
Machinists use machine tools to produce precision metal parts, operating lathes, milling machines, and CNC equipment.
Median Salary
$48,870
Mean Salary
$51,400
Total Employed
412,300
Job Growth
+4%
Machinist Salary by Experience Level
Entry-level machinists earn around $34,000 per year, while mid-career professionals earn $50,000. Senior-level machinists can earn $72,000 or more.
Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$34,000 Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$50,000 Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$72,000 Salary Percentile Breakdown
The salary range for machinists varies significantly. The bottom 10% earn $32,000, while the top 10% earn $74,000.
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $32,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $39,000 |
| 50th Percentile (Median) | $48,870 |
| 75th Percentile | $61,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $74,000 |
Machinist Salary by State
Machinist salaries vary significantly by state due to cost of living, demand, and industry concentration. The highest paying state is Hawaii at $86,989, while Mississippi offers the lowest at $40,562.
| State | Median | |
|---|---|---|
| #1 Hawaii | $86,989 | Details → |
| #2 California | $69,884 | Details → |
| #3 Massachusetts | $65,975 | Details → |
| #4 Alaska | $65,486 | Details → |
| #5 New York | $59,621 | Details → |
| #6 Washington | $58,155 | Details → |
| #7 New Jersey | $56,200 | Details → |
| #8 Oregon | $55,223 | Details → |
| #9 Connecticut | $54,734 | Details → |
| #10 Maryland | $53,757 | Details → |
| #11 Colorado | $52,291 | Details → |
| #12 New Hampshire | $51,314 | Details → |
| #13 Rhode Island | $51,314 | Details → |
| #14 Virginia | $50,825 | Details → |
| #15 Delaware | $49,359 | Details → |
| #16 Vermont | $49,359 | Details → |
| #17 Nevada | $48,870 | Details → |
| #18 Florida | $47,893 | Details → |
| #19 Maine | $47,893 | Details → |
| #20 Arizona | $47,404 | Details → |
| #21 Minnesota | $47,404 | Details → |
| #22 Montana | $47,404 | Details → |
| #23 Utah | $47,404 | Details → |
| #24 Louisiana | $46,915 | Details → |
| #25 Pennsylvania | $46,915 | Details → |
| #26 Texas | $46,915 | Details → |
| #27 Wyoming | $46,915 | Details → |
| #28 Illinois | $46,427 | Details → |
| #29 North Dakota | $46,427 | Details → |
| #30 Idaho | $45,938 | Details → |
| #31 Georgia | $45,449 | Details → |
| #32 New Mexico | $45,449 | Details → |
| #33 Indiana | $44,960 | Details → |
| #34 North Carolina | $44,960 | Details → |
| #35 Wisconsin | $44,960 | Details → |
| #36 Michigan | $43,983 | Details → |
| #37 Nebraska | $43,983 | Details → |
| #38 Ohio | $43,983 | Details → |
| #39 Iowa | $43,494 | Details → |
| #40 Oklahoma | $43,494 | Details → |
| #41 South Carolina | $43,494 | Details → |
| #42 Tennessee | $43,494 | Details → |
| #43 Missouri | $43,006 | Details → |
| #44 South Dakota | $43,006 | Details → |
| #45 Alabama | $42,517 | Details → |
| #46 Kansas | $42,517 | Details → |
| #47 Kentucky | $42,517 | Details → |
| #48 West Virginia | $42,028 | Details → |
| #49 Arkansas | $41,051 | Details → |
| #50 Mississippi | $40,562 | Details → |
Key Responsibilities
- ● Set up and operate CNC machines
- ● Read blueprints and technical drawings
- ● Measure finished parts with precision instruments
- ● Program CNC machines
- ● Maintain and repair machine tools
Top Skills
CNC Programming Blueprint Reading Precision Measurement Metalworking CAD/CAM Quality Control
Education Required
High school diploma
Job Outlook
As fast as average — projected 4% growth over the next decade