Trades & Labor Columbia, MO Pop. 126,254

Machinist Salary in Columbia, Missouri

The median machinist salary in Columbia, MO is $43,006 per year, which is 12% below the national median and 0.0% above the Missouri state average.

City Median
$43,006
vs State Avg
+$0
vs National
$-5,864
Cost of Living
88%

Machinist Pay in Columbia: What to Expect (2026)

Columbia offers a median machinist salary of $43,006, which is $0 above the Missouri state average of $43,006. Compared to the national median of $48,870, Columbia pays below the national benchmark for this role.

One of Columbia's biggest advantages is its low cost of living at 88% of the national average. This means the $43,006 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $48,870 in an average-cost city. This makes Columbia an attractive option for machinists seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for machinists in Columbia spans from $28,160 at the 10th percentile to $65,120 at the 90th percentile — a $36,960 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $29,920, while senior machinists with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $63,360. With a population of 126,254, Columbia is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Machinist Salary in Columbia by Experience

In Columbia, an entry-level machinist earns around $29,920, while experienced professionals earn up to $63,360 per year. The local cost of living index is 88% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$29,920
$-4,080 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$44,000
$-6,000 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$63,360
$-8,640 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Columbia, MO

Percentile Columbia
10th Percentile $28,160
25th Percentile $34,320
Median (50th) $43,006
75th Percentile $53,680
90th Percentile $65,120

Machinist Salary in Other Missouri Cities

Kansas City, MO
$44,960
Pop. 508,090
Saint Louis, MO
$43,983
Pop. 301,578
Independence, MO
$41,540
Pop. 123,011
Springfield, MO
$40,073
Pop. 169,176

How to Become a Machinist in Columbia

Education

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

Find Machinist Jobs in Columbia

Browse open machinist positions in Columbia, MO:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Machinist Salary in Columbia

How much does a Machinist make in Columbia, MO? ▼
The median machinist salary in Columbia, Missouri is $43,006 per year, which is 12% below the national median of $48,870. Salaries range from $28,160 (10th percentile) to $65,120 (90th percentile).
How much does a Machinist make per hour in Columbia? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $43,006, a machinist in Columbia earns approximately $21 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Columbia compare to the Missouri state average for machinist pay? ▼
Columbia's median machinist salary of $43,006 is 0.0% above the Missouri state average of $43,006. The local cost of living index is 88% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Columbia, MO? ▼
Columbia has a cost of living index of 88% compared to the national average. This means a machinist salary of $43,006 in Columbia has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a machinist in Columbia? ▼
Most machinist positions in Columbia 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.