Trades & Labor Seattle, WA Pop. 737,015

Machinist Salary in Seattle, Washington

The median machinist salary in Seattle, WA is $74,282 per year, which is 52.0% above the national median and 27.7% above the Washington state average.

City Median
$74,282
vs State Avg
+$16,127
vs National
+$25,412
Cost of Living
148%

Machinist Pay in Seattle: What to Expect (2026)

Seattle offers a median machinist salary of $74,282, which is $16,127 above the Washington state average of $58,155. Compared to the national median of $48,870, Seattle pays above average for this role.

However, Seattle's cost of living index is 148%, significantly above the national average. After adjusting for local costs, the $74,282 salary has an effective purchasing power of approximately $50,191. Housing, transportation, and food costs in Seattle should be factored into any relocation or job-change decision.

The salary range for machinists in Seattle spans from $48,640 at the 10th percentile to $112,480 at the 90th percentile — a $63,840 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $51,680, while senior machinists with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $109,440. As a major metro area with a population of 737,015, Seattle typically offers more job opportunities and employer competition, which can drive salaries higher.

Machinist Salary in Seattle by Experience

In Seattle, an entry-level machinist earns around $51,680, while experienced professionals earn up to $109,440 per year. The local cost of living index is 148% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$51,680
+$17,680 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$76,000
+$26,000 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$109,440
+$37,440 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Seattle, WA

Percentile Seattle
10th Percentile $48,640
25th Percentile $59,280
Median (50th) $74,282
75th Percentile $92,720
90th Percentile $112,480

Machinist Salary in Other Washington Cities

Bellevue, WA
$76,237
Pop. 151,854
Tacoma, WA
$55,712
Pop. 219,346
Vancouver, WA
$51,802
Pop. 190,915
Spokane, WA
$46,915
Pop. 228,989

How to Become a Machinist in Seattle

Education

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

Find Machinist Jobs in Seattle

Browse open machinist positions in Seattle, WA:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Machinist Salary in Seattle

How much does a Machinist make in Seattle, WA? ▼
The median machinist salary in Seattle, Washington is $74,282 per year, which is 52.0% above the national median of $48,870. Salaries range from $48,640 (10th percentile) to $112,480 (90th percentile).
How much does a Machinist make per hour in Seattle? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $74,282, a machinist in Seattle earns approximately $36 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Seattle compare to the Washington state average for machinist pay? ▼
Seattle's median machinist salary of $74,282 is 27.7% above the Washington state average of $58,155. The local cost of living index is 148% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Seattle, WA? ▼
Seattle has a cost of living index of 148% compared to the national average. This means a machinist salary of $74,282 in Seattle has less purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a machinist in Seattle? ▼
Most machinist positions in Seattle 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.