Trades & Labor Charlotte, NC Pop. 874,579

Machinist Salary in Charlotte, North Carolina

The median machinist salary in Charlotte, NC is $47,893 per year, which is 2% below the national median and 6.5% above the North Carolina state average.

City Median
$47,893
vs State Avg
+$2,933
vs National
$-977
Cost of Living
98%

Machinist Pay in Charlotte: What to Expect (2026)

Charlotte offers a median machinist salary of $47,893, which is $2,933 above the North Carolina state average of $44,960. Compared to the national median of $48,870, Charlotte pays below the national benchmark for this role.

Charlotte's cost of living is 98% 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 Charlotte spans from $31,360 at the 10th percentile to $72,520 at the 90th percentile — a $41,160 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $33,320, while senior machinists with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $70,560. As a major metro area with a population of 874,579, Charlotte typically offers more job opportunities and employer competition, which can drive salaries higher.

Machinist Salary in Charlotte by Experience

In Charlotte, an entry-level machinist earns around $33,320, while experienced professionals earn up to $70,560 per year. The local cost of living index is 98% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$33,320
$-680 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$49,000
$-1,000 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$70,560
$-1,440 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Charlotte, NC

Percentile Charlotte
10th Percentile $31,360
25th Percentile $38,220
Median (50th) $47,893
75th Percentile $59,780
90th Percentile $72,520

Machinist Salary in Other North Carolina Cities

Raleigh, NC
$47,893
Pop. 467,665
Durham, NC
$46,427
Pop. 283,506
Greensboro, NC
$43,006
Pop. 299,035
Winston-Salem, NC
$42,028
Pop. 249,545

How to Become a Machinist in Charlotte

Education

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

Find Machinist Jobs in Charlotte

Browse open machinist positions in Charlotte, NC:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Machinist Salary in Charlotte

How much does a Machinist make in Charlotte, NC? ▼
The median machinist salary in Charlotte, North Carolina is $47,893 per year, which is 2% below the national median of $48,870. Salaries range from $31,360 (10th percentile) to $72,520 (90th percentile).
How much does a Machinist make per hour in Charlotte? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $47,893, a machinist in Charlotte earns approximately $23 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Charlotte compare to the North Carolina state average for machinist pay? ▼
Charlotte's median machinist salary of $47,893 is 6.5% above the North Carolina state average of $44,960. The local cost of living index is 98% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Charlotte, NC? ▼
Charlotte has a cost of living index of 98% compared to the national average. This means a machinist salary of $47,893 in Charlotte has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a machinist in Charlotte? ▼
Most machinist positions in Charlotte 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.