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Machinist - Experienced Salary in the United States

How much does a Machinist - Experienced make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Machinist - Experienced in the United States is $58,690 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $28.

However, a Machinist - Experienced's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $70,535
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $52,890 to $64,890
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $47,609
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Machinist - Experienced Salaries

A Machinist - Experienced's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Machinist - Experienced Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Machinist - Experienced's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry Machinist (0-1 years): $45,985
  • Machinist - Experienced (1-3 years): $58,647
  • General Machinist III (3-5 years): $65,787
  • Expert Machinist (5-7 years): $73,377
  • Machining Operations Supervisor I (7+ years): $65,714
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Entry Machinist0-1 years$45,985
Machinist - Experienced1-3 years$58,647
General Machinist III3-5 years$65,787
Expert Machinist5-7 years$73,377
Machining Operations Supervisor I7+ years$65,714
View as Graph

How Do Machinist - Experienced Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Machinist - Experienceds. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $64,990.
  • California: $64,690.
  • Massachusetts: $63,890.

Top Paying Cities for Machinist - Experienceds

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $73,990
  • San Francisco: $73,190
  • Oakland: $71,690

What Skills Can Increase a Machinist - Experienced's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Commitment (Mentioned in 4.34% Job Postings): An agreement or pledge to do something in the future a commitment to improve conditions at the prison especially : an engagement to assume a financial obligation at a future date.
  • Metal Fabrication (Mentioned in 3.52% Job Postings): Metal fabrication is defined as creating products or structures by cutting, bending, and/or assembling metal material.
  • Food Safety (Mentioned in 1.88% Job Postings): Applying procedures during food preparation, processing, storage, and distribution to ensure consumers are safe from foodborne illnesses.
Skills Demand Percentage
Commitment 4.34%
Metal Fabrication 3.52%
Food Safety 1.88%
See More Skills

What skills can make your compensation higher?

Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Machinist - Experienced's salary.

  • Food Safety: Can increase your salary by up to 7%.
  • Coaching: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
  • Analysis: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Food Safety $62,798
7%
Coaching $62,211
6%
Analysis $62,211
6%
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Machinist - Experienced Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Machinist - Experienced salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $65,589. While startup companies pay approximate $55,481.

Machinist - Experienced Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $55,481
Growth Stage 51~500 $58,677
Established 501~5000 $63,334
Enterprise 5000+ $65,589

Machinist - Experienced Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Machinist - Experienced roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 60% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Pharmaceuticals and Financial Services sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Machinist - Experienced positions in Transportation or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Machinist - Experienced as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Machinist - Experienced

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Pharmaceuticals$70,428$34.020%
Financial Services$67,494$32.015%
Internet$67,494$32.015%
Aerospace & Defense$65,733$32.012%
Energy & Utilities$64,559$31.010%

How Education impacts a Machinist - Experienced's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Machinist - Experienceds enter the field with a No Diploma degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Machinist - Experienced with a No Diploma is between $52,151 and $55,993).

Machinist - Experienced Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Machinist - Experienced
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 65.1%
High School 65.1%
Associates 28.6%
Bachelors 4.8%
Masters 0.0%
Doctorate 1.6%
View as Graph

Machinist - Experienced Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Machinist - Experienced's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$52,890
Average $58,690/year
$64,890
$4,408
Average $4,891/month
$5,408
$1,017
Average $1,129/week
$1,248
$25
Average $28/hour
$31
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $64,890 $5,408 $1,248 $31
Average $58,690 $4,891 $1,129 $28
25th Percentile $52,890 $4,408 $1,017 $25

Machinist - Experienced Salary Growth & Career Path

Machinist - Experienced

Next Role

Advancement

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Machinist - Experienced, you have the following paths for advancement. The table below compares the salary raises for common next-step roles. By comparing these figures, you can choose the career path that best meets your financial goals.

Next Step Role Estimate Salary Projected Raise
Plastic Injection Molding Operator III $56,700 -3%
Production Machine Operator III $51,700 -12%
General Machinist III $65,800 12%
CNC Laser Machine Operator III $62,800 7%

Most common benefits for Machinist - Experienced

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Machinist - Experienced

Here are companies hiring for Machinist - Experienced and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Machinist - Experienced

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Machinist - Experienced?

The Pharmaceuticals industry offers the highest average compensation for Machinist - Experienced roles, with salaries approximately 20% above the market median.

2. Is a machinist a skilled worker?

Yes, a machinist is considered a skilled worker. With salaries ranging from $50,990 to $65,190, experienced machinists are in high demand. The role involves honing technical and problem-solving skills daily, as each task presents unique challenges, allowing for continuous skill development and career growth.

3. What is a machinist level 3?

Level Three machinists, building on their skills from level two, operate 3-5 axis CNC machines or conventional mills and lathes with minimal assistance. They produce complex aerospace parts and demonstrate advanced cross-training flexibility, including first part run and full machine recovery. Experienced machinists can expect salaries ranging from $50,990 to $65,190, with a mid-salary of $57,690.

4. What percent of Americans make 6 figures?

Approximately 33% of Americans earn six-figure salaries, which translates to an annual income of $100,000 or more. In contrast, experienced machinists have a salary range from $50,990 to $65,190, indicating that while many Americans reach six figures, skilled trades like machining typically offer lower earnings.

5. What is top pay for machinist?

The top pay for an experienced machinist is $65,190. Salaries can vary based on factors such as location, experience, and specific skills, with a minimum salary of $50,990 and a mid-range salary of $57,690.

6. Can a mechanic make 100k a year?

Pay for machinists varies based on experience and skill level. Experienced machinists typically earn between $50,990 and $65,190 annually, with a median salary of $57,690. While some specialized roles may offer higher pay, reaching $100k per year is uncommon for this profession.

7. How much do military machinists make?

Military machinists typically earn between $50,990 and $65,190 annually, with an average salary around $57,690. This range reflects the experience level of machinists, and while some may earn more, the figures provide a general idea of expected compensation in this field.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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