Trades & Labor San Jose, CA Pop. 1,013,240

Machinist Salary in San Jose, California

The median machinist salary in San Jose, CA is $84,545 per year, which is 73.0% above the national median and 21.0% above the California state average.

City Median
$84,545
vs State Avg
+$14,661
vs National
+$35,675
Cost of Living
168%

Machinist Pay in San Jose: What to Expect (2026)

San Jose offers a median machinist salary of $84,545, which is $14,661 above the California state average of $69,884. Compared to the national median of $48,870, San Jose pays above average for this role.

However, San Jose's cost of living index is 168%, significantly above the national average. After adjusting for local costs, the $84,545 salary has an effective purchasing power of approximately $50,324. Housing, transportation, and food costs in San Jose should be factored into any relocation or job-change decision.

The salary range for machinists in San Jose spans from $55,360 at the 10th percentile to $128,020 at the 90th percentile — a $72,660 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $58,820, while senior machinists with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $124,560. As a major metro area with a population of 1,013,240, San Jose typically offers more job opportunities and employer competition, which can drive salaries higher.

Machinist Salary in San Jose by Experience

In San Jose, an entry-level machinist earns around $58,820, while experienced professionals earn up to $124,560 per year. The local cost of living index is 168% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$58,820
+$24,820 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$86,500
+$36,500 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$124,560
+$52,560 vs national

Salary Percentiles in San Jose, CA

Percentile San Jose
10th Percentile $55,360
25th Percentile $67,470
Median (50th) $84,545
75th Percentile $105,530
90th Percentile $128,020

Machinist Salary in Other California Cities

San Francisco, CA
$91,387
Pop. 873,965
Los Angeles, CA
$73,794
Pop. 3,898,747
San Diego, CA
$71,839
Pop. 1,386,932
Sacramento, CA
$60,110
Pop. 524,943

How to Become a Machinist in San Jose

Education

Most machinist positions require a high school diploma. San Jose and the surrounding California area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

CNC ProgrammingBlueprint ReadingPrecision MeasurementMetalworkingCAD/CAMQuality Control

Job Outlook

Nationally, machinist employment is projected to grow 4% over the next decade (as fast as average). Demand in San Jose may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Machinist Jobs in San Jose

Browse open machinist positions in San Jose, CA:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Machinist Salary in San Jose

How much does a Machinist make in San Jose, CA? ▼
The median machinist salary in San Jose, California is $84,545 per year, which is 73.0% above the national median of $48,870. Salaries range from $55,360 (10th percentile) to $128,020 (90th percentile).
How much does a Machinist make per hour in San Jose? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $84,545, a machinist in San Jose earns approximately $41 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does San Jose compare to the California state average for machinist pay? ▼
San Jose's median machinist salary of $84,545 is 21.0% above the California state average of $69,884. The local cost of living index is 168% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in San Jose, CA? ▼
San Jose has a cost of living index of 168% compared to the national average. This means a machinist salary of $84,545 in San Jose has less purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a machinist in San Jose? ▼
Most machinist positions in San Jose require a high school diploma. Key skills include CNC Programming, Blueprint Reading, Precision Measurement, Metalworking. The job market is projected to grow 4% nationally over the next decade.