Trades & Labor Winston-Salem, NC Pop. 249,545

Machinist Salary in Winston-Salem, North Carolina

The median machinist salary in Winston-Salem, NC is $42,028 per year, which is 14% below the national median and 6.5% below the North Carolina state average.

City Median
$42,028
vs State Avg
$-2,932
vs National
$-6,842
Cost of Living
86%

Machinist Pay in Winston-Salem: What to Expect (2026)

Winston-Salem offers a median machinist salary of $42,028, which is $2,932 below the North Carolina state average of $44,960. Compared to the national median of $48,870, Winston-Salem pays below the national benchmark for this role.

One of Winston-Salem's biggest advantages is its low cost of living at 86% of the national average. This means the $42,028 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $48,870 in an average-cost city. This makes Winston-Salem an attractive option for machinists seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for machinists in Winston-Salem spans from $27,520 at the 10th percentile to $63,640 at the 90th percentile — a $36,120 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $29,240, while senior machinists with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $61,920. With a population of 249,545, Winston-Salem is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Machinist Salary in Winston-Salem by Experience

In Winston-Salem, an entry-level machinist earns around $29,240, while experienced professionals earn up to $61,920 per year. The local cost of living index is 86% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$29,240
$-4,760 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$43,000
$-7,000 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$61,920
$-10,080 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Winston-Salem, NC

Percentile Winston-Salem
10th Percentile $27,520
25th Percentile $33,540
Median (50th) $42,028
75th Percentile $52,460
90th Percentile $63,640

Machinist Salary in Other North Carolina Cities

Charlotte, NC
$47,893
Pop. 874,579
Raleigh, NC
$47,893
Pop. 467,665
Durham, NC
$46,427
Pop. 283,506
Greensboro, NC
$43,006
Pop. 299,035

How to Become a Machinist in Winston-Salem

Education

Most machinist positions require a high school diploma. Winston-Salem 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 Winston-Salem may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Machinist Jobs in Winston-Salem

Browse open machinist positions in Winston-Salem, NC:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Machinist Salary in Winston-Salem

How much does a Machinist make in Winston-Salem, NC? ▼
The median machinist salary in Winston-Salem, North Carolina is $42,028 per year, which is 14% below the national median of $48,870. Salaries range from $27,520 (10th percentile) to $63,640 (90th percentile).
How much does a Machinist make per hour in Winston-Salem? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $42,028, a machinist in Winston-Salem earns approximately $20 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Winston-Salem compare to the North Carolina state average for machinist pay? ▼
Winston-Salem's median machinist salary of $42,028 is 6.5% below the North Carolina state average of $44,960. The local cost of living index is 86% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Winston-Salem, NC? ▼
Winston-Salem has a cost of living index of 86% compared to the national average. This means a machinist salary of $42,028 in Winston-Salem has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a machinist in Winston-Salem? ▼
Most machinist positions in Winston-Salem 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.