Trades & Labor Cambridge, MA Pop. 118,403

Machinist Salary in Cambridge, Massachusetts

The median machinist salary in Cambridge, MA is $78,192 per year, which is 60.0% above the national median and 18.5% above the Massachusetts state average.

City Median
$78,192
vs State Avg
+$12,217
vs National
+$29,322
Cost of Living
160%

Machinist Pay in Cambridge: What to Expect (2026)

Cambridge offers a median machinist salary of $78,192, which is $12,217 above the Massachusetts state average of $65,975. Compared to the national median of $48,870, Cambridge pays above average for this role.

However, Cambridge's cost of living index is 160%, significantly above the national average. After adjusting for local costs, the $78,192 salary has an effective purchasing power of approximately $48,870. Housing, transportation, and food costs in Cambridge should be factored into any relocation or job-change decision.

The salary range for machinists in Cambridge spans from $51,200 at the 10th percentile to $118,400 at the 90th percentile — a $67,200 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $54,400, while senior machinists with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $115,200. With a population of 118,403, Cambridge is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Machinist Salary in Cambridge by Experience

In Cambridge, an entry-level machinist earns around $54,400, while experienced professionals earn up to $115,200 per year. The local cost of living index is 160% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$54,400
+$20,400 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$80,000
+$30,000 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$115,200
+$43,200 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Cambridge, MA

Percentile Cambridge
10th Percentile $51,200
25th Percentile $62,400
Median (50th) $78,192
75th Percentile $97,600
90th Percentile $118,400

Machinist Salary in Other Massachusetts Cities

Boston, MA
$74,282
Pop. 675,647
Worcester, MA
$53,757
Pop. 206,518
Lowell, MA
$51,314
Pop. 115,554
Springfield, MA
$47,893
Pop. 155,929

How to Become a Machinist in Cambridge

Education

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

Find Machinist Jobs in Cambridge

Browse open machinist positions in Cambridge, MA:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Machinist Salary in Cambridge

How much does a Machinist make in Cambridge, MA? ▼
The median machinist salary in Cambridge, Massachusetts is $78,192 per year, which is 60.0% above the national median of $48,870. Salaries range from $51,200 (10th percentile) to $118,400 (90th percentile).
How much does a Machinist make per hour in Cambridge? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $78,192, a machinist in Cambridge earns approximately $38 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Cambridge compare to the Massachusetts state average for machinist pay? ▼
Cambridge's median machinist salary of $78,192 is 18.5% above the Massachusetts state average of $65,975. The local cost of living index is 160% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Cambridge, MA? ▼
Cambridge has a cost of living index of 160% compared to the national average. This means a machinist salary of $78,192 in Cambridge has less purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a machinist in Cambridge? ▼
Most machinist positions in Cambridge 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.