Trades & Labor Aberdeen, SD Pop. 28,324

Machinist Salary in Aberdeen, South Dakota

The median machinist salary in Aberdeen, SD is $41,051 per year, which is 16% below the national median and 4.5% below the South Dakota state average.

City Median
$41,051
vs State Avg
$-1,955
vs National
$-7,819
Cost of Living
84%

Machinist Pay in Aberdeen: What to Expect (2026)

Aberdeen offers a median machinist salary of $41,051, which is $1,955 below the South Dakota state average of $43,006. Compared to the national median of $48,870, Aberdeen pays below the national benchmark for this role.

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

The salary range for machinists in Aberdeen 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. Aberdeen is a smaller market (pop. 28,324), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Machinist Salary in Aberdeen by Experience

In Aberdeen, 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 Aberdeen, SD

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

Machinist Salary in Other South Dakota Cities

Sioux Falls, SD
$44,960
Pop. 192,517
Rapid City, SD
$43,983
Pop. 74,703
Brookings, SD
$42,028
Pop. 24,194
Mitchell, SD
$40,073
Pop. 15,660

How to Become a Machinist in Aberdeen

Education

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

Find Machinist Jobs in Aberdeen

Browse open machinist positions in Aberdeen, SD:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Machinist Salary in Aberdeen

How much does a Machinist make in Aberdeen, SD? ▼
The median machinist salary in Aberdeen, South Dakota 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 Aberdeen? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $41,051, a machinist in Aberdeen earns approximately $20 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Aberdeen compare to the South Dakota state average for machinist pay? ▼
Aberdeen's median machinist salary of $41,051 is 4.5% below the South Dakota state average of $43,006. The local cost of living index is 84% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Aberdeen, SD? ▼
Aberdeen has a cost of living index of 84% compared to the national average. This means a machinist salary of $41,051 in Aberdeen has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a machinist in Aberdeen? ▼
Most machinist positions in Aberdeen 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.