Trades & Labor Grand Island, NE Pop. 53,131

Machinist Salary in Grand Island, Nebraska

The median machinist salary in Grand Island, NE is $41,051 per year, which is 16% below the national median and 6.7% below the Nebraska state average.

City Median
$41,051
vs State Avg
$-2,932
vs National
$-7,819
Cost of Living
84%

Machinist Pay in Grand Island: What to Expect (2026)

Grand Island offers a median machinist salary of $41,051, which is $2,932 below the Nebraska state average of $43,983. Compared to the national median of $48,870, Grand Island pays below the national benchmark for this role.

One of Grand Island'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 Grand Island an attractive option for machinists seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for machinists in Grand Island 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. Grand Island is a smaller market (pop. 53,131), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Machinist Salary in Grand Island by Experience

In Grand Island, 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 Grand Island, NE

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

Machinist Salary in Other Nebraska Cities

Omaha, NE
$45,449
Pop. 486,051
Bellevue, NE
$44,960
Pop. 64,176
Lincoln, NE
$43,983
Pop. 291,082
Kearney, NE
$42,028
Pop. 33,464

How to Become a Machinist in Grand Island

Education

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

Find Machinist Jobs in Grand Island

Browse open machinist positions in Grand Island, NE:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Machinist Salary in Grand Island

How much does a Machinist make in Grand Island, NE? ▼
The median machinist salary in Grand Island, Nebraska 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 Grand Island? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $41,051, a machinist in Grand Island earns approximately $20 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Grand Island compare to the Nebraska state average for machinist pay? ▼
Grand Island's median machinist salary of $41,051 is 6.7% below the Nebraska state average of $43,983. The local cost of living index is 84% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Grand Island, NE? ▼
Grand Island has a cost of living index of 84% compared to the national average. This means a machinist salary of $41,051 in Grand Island has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a machinist in Grand Island? ▼
Most machinist positions in Grand Island 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.