Trades & Labor Athens, GA Pop. 127,064

Machinist Salary in Athens, Georgia

The median machinist salary in Athens, GA is $43,983 per year, which is 10% below the national median and 3.2% below the Georgia state average.

City Median
$43,983
vs State Avg
$-1,466
vs National
$-4,887
Cost of Living
90%

Machinist Pay in Athens: What to Expect (2026)

Athens offers a median machinist salary of $43,983, which is $1,466 below the Georgia state average of $45,449. Compared to the national median of $48,870, Athens pays below the national benchmark for this role.

Athens's cost of living is 90% of the national average, meaning salary figures here closely reflect actual purchasing power. This makes direct comparisons to other cities straightforward.

The salary range for machinists in Athens spans from $28,800 at the 10th percentile to $66,600 at the 90th percentile — a $37,800 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $30,600, while senior machinists with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $64,800. With a population of 127,064, Athens is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Machinist Salary in Athens by Experience

In Athens, an entry-level machinist earns around $30,600, while experienced professionals earn up to $64,800 per year. The local cost of living index is 90% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$30,600
$-3,400 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$45,000
$-5,000 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$64,800
$-7,200 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Athens, GA

Percentile Athens
10th Percentile $28,800
25th Percentile $35,100
Median (50th) $43,983
75th Percentile $54,900
90th Percentile $66,600

Machinist Salary in Other Georgia Cities

How to Become a Machinist in Athens

Education

Most machinist positions require a high school diploma. Athens and the surrounding Georgia 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 Athens may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Machinist Jobs in Athens

Browse open machinist positions in Athens, GA:

Frequently Asked Questions: Machinist Salary in Athens

How much does a Machinist make in Athens, GA? ▼
The median machinist salary in Athens, Georgia is $43,983 per year, which is 10% below the national median of $48,870. Salaries range from $28,800 (10th percentile) to $66,600 (90th percentile).
How much does a Machinist make per hour in Athens? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $43,983, a machinist in Athens earns approximately $21 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Athens compare to the Georgia state average for machinist pay? ▼
Athens's median machinist salary of $43,983 is 3.2% below the Georgia state average of $45,449. The local cost of living index is 90% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Athens, GA? ▼
Athens has a cost of living index of 90% compared to the national average. This means a machinist salary of $43,983 in Athens has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a machinist in Athens? ▼
Most machinist positions in Athens 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.