Trades & Labor Rockford, IL Pop. 148,655

Machinist Salary in Rockford, Illinois

The median machinist salary in Rockford, IL is $40,073 per year, which is 18% below the national median and 13.7% below the Illinois state average.

City Median
$40,073
vs State Avg
$-6,354
vs National
$-8,797
Cost of Living
82%

Machinist Pay in Rockford: What to Expect (2026)

Rockford offers a median machinist salary of $40,073, which is $6,354 below the Illinois state average of $46,427. Compared to the national median of $48,870, Rockford pays below the national benchmark for this role.

One of Rockford's biggest advantages is its low cost of living at 82% of the national average. This means the $40,073 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $48,870 in an average-cost city. This makes Rockford an attractive option for machinists seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for machinists in Rockford spans from $26,240 at the 10th percentile to $60,680 at the 90th percentile — a $34,440 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $27,880, while senior machinists with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $59,040. With a population of 148,655, Rockford is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Machinist Salary in Rockford by Experience

In Rockford, an entry-level machinist earns around $27,880, while experienced professionals earn up to $59,040 per year. The local cost of living index is 82% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$27,880
$-6,120 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$41,000
$-9,000 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$59,040
$-12,960 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Rockford, IL

Percentile Rockford
10th Percentile $26,240
25th Percentile $31,980
Median (50th) $40,073
75th Percentile $50,020
90th Percentile $60,680

Machinist Salary in Other Illinois Cities

Naperville, IL
$52,780
Pop. 149,540
Chicago, IL
$52,291
Pop. 2,693,976
Aurora, IL
$46,427
Pop. 197,757
Springfield, IL
$41,540
Pop. 114,394

How to Become a Machinist in Rockford

Education

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

Find Machinist Jobs in Rockford

Browse open machinist positions in Rockford, IL:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Machinist Salary in Rockford

How much does a Machinist make in Rockford, IL? ▼
The median machinist salary in Rockford, Illinois is $40,073 per year, which is 18% below the national median of $48,870. Salaries range from $26,240 (10th percentile) to $60,680 (90th percentile).
How much does a Machinist make per hour in Rockford? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $40,073, a machinist in Rockford earns approximately $19 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Rockford compare to the Illinois state average for machinist pay? ▼
Rockford's median machinist salary of $40,073 is 13.7% below the Illinois state average of $46,427. The local cost of living index is 82% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Rockford, IL? ▼
Rockford has a cost of living index of 82% compared to the national average. This means a machinist salary of $40,073 in Rockford has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a machinist in Rockford? ▼
Most machinist positions in Rockford 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.