Trades & Labor Bowling Green, KY Pop. 74,735

Machinist Salary in Bowling Green, Kentucky

The median machinist salary in Bowling Green, KY is $41,051 per year, which is 16% below the national median and 3.4% below the Kentucky state average.

City Median
$41,051
vs State Avg
$-1,466
vs National
$-7,819
Cost of Living
84%

Machinist Pay in Bowling Green: What to Expect (2026)

Bowling Green offers a median machinist salary of $41,051, which is $1,466 below the Kentucky state average of $42,517. Compared to the national median of $48,870, Bowling Green pays below the national benchmark for this role.

One of Bowling Green's biggest advantages is its low cost of living at 84% of the national average. This means the $41,051 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $48,870 in an average-cost city. This makes Bowling Green an attractive option for machinists seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for machinists in Bowling Green spans from $26,880 at the 10th percentile to $62,160 at the 90th percentile — a $35,280 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $28,560, while senior machinists with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $60,480. Bowling Green is a smaller market (pop. 74,735), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Machinist Salary in Bowling Green by Experience

In Bowling Green, an entry-level machinist earns around $28,560, while experienced professionals earn up to $60,480 per year. The local cost of living index is 84% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$28,560
$-5,440 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$42,000
$-8,000 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$60,480
$-11,520 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Bowling Green, KY

Percentile Bowling Green
10th Percentile $26,880
25th Percentile $32,760
Median (50th) $41,051
75th Percentile $51,240
90th Percentile $62,160

Machinist Salary in Other Kentucky Cities

Lexington, KY
$45,449
Pop. 322,570
Louisville, KY
$44,960
Pop. 633,045
Covington, KY
$43,006
Pop. 40,961
Owensboro, KY
$40,073
Pop. 60,183

How to Become a Machinist in Bowling Green

Education

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

Find Machinist Jobs in Bowling Green

Browse open machinist positions in Bowling Green, KY:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Machinist Salary in Bowling Green

How much does a Machinist make in Bowling Green, KY? ▼
The median machinist salary in Bowling Green, Kentucky is $41,051 per year, which is 16% below the national median of $48,870. Salaries range from $26,880 (10th percentile) to $62,160 (90th percentile).
How much does a Machinist make per hour in Bowling Green? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $41,051, a machinist in Bowling Green earns approximately $20 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Bowling Green compare to the Kentucky state average for machinist pay? ▼
Bowling Green's median machinist salary of $41,051 is 3.4% below the Kentucky state average of $42,517. The local cost of living index is 84% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Bowling Green, KY? ▼
Bowling Green has a cost of living index of 84% compared to the national average. This means a machinist salary of $41,051 in Bowling Green has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a machinist in Bowling Green? ▼
Most machinist positions in Bowling Green 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.