Trades & Labor Great Falls, MT Pop. 60,442

Machinist Salary in Great Falls, Montana

The median machinist salary in Great Falls, MT is $43,983 per year, which is 10% below the national median and 7.2% below the Montana state average.

City Median
$43,983
vs State Avg
$-3,421
vs National
$-4,887
Cost of Living
88%

Machinist Pay in Great Falls: What to Expect (2026)

Great Falls offers a median machinist salary of $43,983, which is $3,421 below the Montana state average of $47,404. Compared to the national median of $48,870, Great Falls pays below the national benchmark for this role.

One of Great Falls's biggest advantages is its low cost of living at 88% of the national average. This means the $43,983 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $49,981 in an average-cost city. This makes Great Falls an attractive option for machinists seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for machinists in Great Falls spans from $28,800 at the 10th percentile to $66,600 at the 90th percentile — a $37,800 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $30,600, while senior machinists with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $64,800. Great Falls is a smaller market (pop. 60,442), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Machinist Salary in Great Falls by Experience

In Great Falls, an entry-level machinist earns around $30,600, while experienced professionals earn up to $64,800 per year. The local cost of living index is 88% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$30,600
$-3,400 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$45,000
$-5,000 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$64,800
$-7,200 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Great Falls, MT

Percentile Great Falls
10th Percentile $28,800
25th Percentile $35,100
Median (50th) $43,983
75th Percentile $54,900
90th Percentile $66,600

Machinist Salary in Other Montana Cities

Bozeman, MT
$57,178
Pop. 53,293
Missoula, MT
$50,825
Pop. 75,516
Billings, MT
$47,893
Pop. 117,116
Helena, MT
$46,915
Pop. 32,315

How to Become a Machinist in Great Falls

Education

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

Find Machinist Jobs in Great Falls

Browse open machinist positions in Great Falls, MT:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Machinist Salary in Great Falls

How much does a Machinist make in Great Falls, MT? ▼
The median machinist salary in Great Falls, Montana is $43,983 per year, which is 10% below the national median of $48,870. Salaries range from $28,800 (10th percentile) to $66,600 (90th percentile).
How much does a Machinist make per hour in Great Falls? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $43,983, a machinist in Great Falls earns approximately $21 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Great Falls compare to the Montana state average for machinist pay? ▼
Great Falls's median machinist salary of $43,983 is 7.2% below the Montana state average of $47,404. The local cost of living index is 88% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Great Falls, MT? ▼
Great Falls has a cost of living index of 88% compared to the national average. This means a machinist salary of $43,983 in Great Falls has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a machinist in Great Falls? ▼
Most machinist positions in Great Falls 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.