Trades & Labor Brookings, SD Pop. 24,194

Machinist Salary in Brookings, South Dakota

The median machinist salary in Brookings, SD is $42,028 per year, which is 14% below the national median and 2.3% below the South Dakota state average.

City Median
$42,028
vs State Avg
$-978
vs National
$-6,842
Cost of Living
86%

Machinist Pay in Brookings: What to Expect (2026)

Brookings offers a median machinist salary of $42,028, which is $978 below the South Dakota state average of $43,006. Compared to the national median of $48,870, Brookings pays below the national benchmark for this role.

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

The salary range for machinists in Brookings 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. Brookings is a smaller market (pop. 24,194), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Machinist Salary in Brookings by Experience

In Brookings, 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 Brookings, SD

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

Machinist Salary in Other South Dakota Cities

Sioux Falls, SD
$44,960
Pop. 192,517
Rapid City, SD
$43,983
Pop. 74,703
Aberdeen, SD
$41,051
Pop. 28,324
Mitchell, SD
$40,073
Pop. 15,660

How to Become a Machinist in Brookings

Education

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

Find Machinist Jobs in Brookings

Browse open machinist positions in Brookings, SD:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Machinist Salary in Brookings

How much does a Machinist make in Brookings, SD? ▼
The median machinist salary in Brookings, South Dakota 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 Brookings? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $42,028, a machinist in Brookings earns approximately $20 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Brookings compare to the South Dakota state average for machinist pay? ▼
Brookings's median machinist salary of $42,028 is 2.3% below the South Dakota state average of $43,006. The local cost of living index is 86% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Brookings, SD? ▼
Brookings has a cost of living index of 86% compared to the national average. This means a machinist salary of $42,028 in Brookings has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a machinist in Brookings? ▼
Most machinist positions in Brookings 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.