Trades & Labor Wheeling, WV Pop. 26,711

Machinist Salary in Wheeling, West Virginia

The median machinist salary in Wheeling, WV is $39,096 per year, which is 20% below the national median and 7% below the West Virginia state average.

City Median
$39,096
vs State Avg
$-2,932
vs National
$-9,774
Cost of Living
78%

Machinist Pay in Wheeling: What to Expect (2026)

Wheeling offers a median machinist salary of $39,096, which is $2,932 below the West Virginia state average of $42,028. Compared to the national median of $48,870, Wheeling pays below the national benchmark for this role.

One of Wheeling's biggest advantages is its low cost of living at 78% of the national average. This means the $39,096 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $50,123 in an average-cost city. This makes Wheeling an attractive option for machinists seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for machinists in Wheeling spans from $25,600 at the 10th percentile to $59,200 at the 90th percentile — a $33,600 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $27,200, while senior machinists with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $57,600. Wheeling is a smaller market (pop. 26,711), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Machinist Salary in Wheeling by Experience

In Wheeling, an entry-level machinist earns around $27,200, while experienced professionals earn up to $57,600 per year. The local cost of living index is 78% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$27,200
$-6,800 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$40,000
$-10,000 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$57,600
$-14,400 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Wheeling, WV

Percentile Wheeling
10th Percentile $25,600
25th Percentile $31,200
Median (50th) $39,096
75th Percentile $48,800
90th Percentile $59,200

Machinist Salary in Other West Virginia Cities

Morgantown, WV
$44,960
Pop. 30,955
Charleston, WV
$43,983
Pop. 48,006
Huntington, WV
$41,051
Pop. 46,842
Parkersburg, WV
$40,073
Pop. 29,675

How to Become a Machinist in Wheeling

Education

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

Find Machinist Jobs in Wheeling

Browse open machinist positions in Wheeling, WV:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Machinist Salary in Wheeling

How much does a Machinist make in Wheeling, WV? ▼
The median machinist salary in Wheeling, West Virginia is $39,096 per year, which is 20% below the national median of $48,870. Salaries range from $25,600 (10th percentile) to $59,200 (90th percentile).
How much does a Machinist make per hour in Wheeling? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $39,096, a machinist in Wheeling earns approximately $19 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Wheeling compare to the West Virginia state average for machinist pay? ▼
Wheeling's median machinist salary of $39,096 is 7% below the West Virginia state average of $42,028. The local cost of living index is 78% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Wheeling, WV? ▼
Wheeling has a cost of living index of 78% compared to the national average. This means a machinist salary of $39,096 in Wheeling has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a machinist in Wheeling? ▼
Most machinist positions in Wheeling 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.