Trades & Labor Fort Wayne, IN Pop. 263,886

Machinist Salary in Fort Wayne, Indiana

The median machinist salary in Fort Wayne, IN is $42,517 per year, which is 13% below the national median and 5.4% below the Indiana state average.

City Median
$42,517
vs State Avg
$-2,443
vs National
$-6,353
Cost of Living
85%

Machinist Pay in Fort Wayne: What to Expect (2026)

Fort Wayne offers a median machinist salary of $42,517, which is $2,443 below the Indiana state average of $44,960. Compared to the national median of $48,870, Fort Wayne pays below the national benchmark for this role.

One of Fort Wayne's biggest advantages is its low cost of living at 85% of the national average. This means the $42,517 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $50,020 in an average-cost city. This makes Fort Wayne an attractive option for machinists seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for machinists in Fort Wayne spans from $27,840 at the 10th percentile to $64,380 at the 90th percentile — a $36,540 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $29,580, while senior machinists with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $62,640. With a population of 263,886, Fort Wayne is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Machinist Salary in Fort Wayne by Experience

In Fort Wayne, an entry-level machinist earns around $29,580, while experienced professionals earn up to $62,640 per year. The local cost of living index is 85% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$29,580
$-4,420 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$43,500
$-6,500 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$62,640
$-9,360 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Fort Wayne, IN

Percentile Fort Wayne
10th Percentile $27,840
25th Percentile $33,930
Median (50th) $42,517
75th Percentile $53,070
90th Percentile $64,380

Machinist Salary in Other Indiana Cities

Carmel, IN
$52,291
Pop. 99,757
Indianapolis, IN
$46,427
Pop. 887,642
Evansville, IN
$42,028
Pop. 117,429
South Bend, IN
$41,540
Pop. 103,453

How to Become a Machinist in Fort Wayne

Education

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

Find Machinist Jobs in Fort Wayne

Browse open machinist positions in Fort Wayne, IN:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Machinist Salary in Fort Wayne

How much does a Machinist make in Fort Wayne, IN? ▼
The median machinist salary in Fort Wayne, Indiana is $42,517 per year, which is 13% below the national median of $48,870. Salaries range from $27,840 (10th percentile) to $64,380 (90th percentile).
How much does a Machinist make per hour in Fort Wayne? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $42,517, a machinist in Fort Wayne earns approximately $20 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Fort Wayne compare to the Indiana state average for machinist pay? ▼
Fort Wayne's median machinist salary of $42,517 is 5.4% below the Indiana state average of $44,960. The local cost of living index is 85% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Fort Wayne, IN? ▼
Fort Wayne has a cost of living index of 85% compared to the national average. This means a machinist salary of $42,517 in Fort Wayne has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a machinist in Fort Wayne? ▼
Most machinist positions in Fort Wayne 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.