Trades & Labor Louisville, KY Pop. 633,045

Machinist Salary in Louisville, Kentucky

The median machinist salary in Louisville, KY is $44,960 per year, which is 8% below the national median and 5.7% above the Kentucky state average.

City Median
$44,960
vs State Avg
+$2,443
vs National
$-3,910
Cost of Living
92%

Machinist Pay in Louisville: What to Expect (2026)

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

Louisville's cost of living is 92% 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 Louisville spans from $29,440 at the 10th percentile to $68,080 at the 90th percentile — a $38,640 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $31,280, while senior machinists with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $66,240. As a major metro area with a population of 633,045, Louisville typically offers more job opportunities and employer competition, which can drive salaries higher.

Machinist Salary in Louisville by Experience

In Louisville, an entry-level machinist earns around $31,280, while experienced professionals earn up to $66,240 per year. The local cost of living index is 92% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$31,280
$-2,720 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$46,000
$-4,000 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$66,240
$-5,760 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Louisville, KY

Percentile Louisville
10th Percentile $29,440
25th Percentile $35,880
Median (50th) $44,960
75th Percentile $56,120
90th Percentile $68,080

Machinist Salary in Other Kentucky Cities

Lexington, KY
$45,449
Pop. 322,570
Covington, KY
$43,006
Pop. 40,961
Bowling Green, KY
$41,051
Pop. 74,735
Owensboro, KY
$40,073
Pop. 60,183

How to Become a Machinist in Louisville

Education

Most machinist positions require a high school diploma. Louisville 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 Louisville may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Machinist Jobs in Louisville

Browse open machinist positions in Louisville, KY:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Machinist Salary in Louisville

How much does a Machinist make in Louisville, KY? ▼
The median machinist salary in Louisville, Kentucky is $44,960 per year, which is 8% below the national median of $48,870. Salaries range from $29,440 (10th percentile) to $68,080 (90th percentile).
How much does a Machinist make per hour in Louisville? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $44,960, a machinist in Louisville earns approximately $22 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Louisville compare to the Kentucky state average for machinist pay? ▼
Louisville's median machinist salary of $44,960 is 5.7% above the Kentucky state average of $42,517. The local cost of living index is 92% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Louisville, KY? ▼
Louisville has a cost of living index of 92% compared to the national average. This means a machinist salary of $44,960 in Louisville has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a machinist in Louisville? ▼
Most machinist positions in Louisville 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.