The salary of a Machine Operator I in the United States varies depending on several factors, including experience, location, education level, marketing trend and company sizes.
As of March 01, 2025, the average annual salary for a Machine Operator I in the United States is $41,368. According to Salary.com, salaries can range from a low of $34,014 to a high of $50,446, with most professionals earning between $37,519 and $46,120.
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $46,120 | $3,843 | $887 | $22 |
| Average | $41,368 | $3,447 | $796 | $20 |
| 25th Percentile | $37,519 | $3,127 | $722 | $18 |
An entry-level Machine Operator I with less than 1 year of experience earns about $40,559. With 1-2 years of experience, the average salary increases to $40,842. For 2-4 years of experience, the pay typically rises to $41,683. Senior-level professionals with 5-8 years of experience earn around $42,243, and those with over 8 years of experience can expect an average of $42,383.
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Machine Operator I | $40,559 |
| Intermediate Level Machine Operator I | $40,842 |
| Senior Level Machine Operator I | $41,683 |
| Specialist Level Machine Operator I | $42,243 |
| Expert Level Machine Operator I | $42,383 |
| Entry Level | 2% |
| Mid Level | 1% |
| Senior Level | 1% |
| Top Level | 2% |
| Experienced | 2% |
Salaries in the United States differ widely between states due to factors like cost of living, local economies, and industry presence.
What Am I Worth?
Salaries in the United States can vary greatly between cities due to factors like cost of living, local economies, and industry presence.
As of March 01, 2025, our research reveals a significant shift in Machine Operator I compensation over the past six years. For example, the median salary increased from $38,256 in 2023 to approximately $37,980 in 2024. (For a detailed analysis of Machine Operator I salary trends, click here.)
Key factors like location, experience, industry demand, and economic growth significantly influence salary variations, making them important to consider.
Salary.com job board provides millions of Machine Operator I information for you to search for. Click on search button below to see Machine Operator I job openings or enter a new job title here.
Here are companies hiring for Machine Operator I and their salaries, click below for more details.
| Core Compensation | ||||
| Core Compensation | Median | % of Total | ||
| Base Salary | $41,368 | 65.1% | ||
| Bonus | $582 | 0.9% | ||
| Value of Benefits | ||||
| Core Compensation | Median | % of Total | ||
| Social Security | $3,209 | 5.1% | ||
| 401K/403B | $1,762 | 2.8% | ||
| Disability | $839 | 1.3% | ||
| Healthcare | $8,352 | 13.1% | ||
| Pension | $2,265 | 3.6% | ||
| Time Off | $5,163 | 8.1% | ||
| Total Compensation | $63,541 | 100% | ||
| Degree Level | % of user with this level of education |
|---|---|
| No Diploma | 10.4% |
| High School | 69.8% |
| Associates | 12.5% |
| Bachelors | 7.3% |
What Am I Worth?
The average annual salary of Machine Operator I is $41,368. In case you are finding an easy salary calculator, the average hourly pay of Machine Operator I is $20; the average weekly pay of Machine Operator I is $796; the average monthly pay of Machine Operator I is $3,447.
A Machine Operator I's earning potential can vary widely depending on several factors, including location, industry, experience, education, and the specific employer. According to the latest salary data by Salary.com, a Machine Operator I earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Machine Operator I is $51,917.
The highest pay for Machine Operator I is $50,446.
The lowest pay for Machine Operator I is $34,014.
Machine Operator I sets up and operates a production machine in accordance with established procedures and guidelines. Uses computer-controlled equipment to select, position and secure automatic or semi-automatic machines. Being a Machine Operator I controls and adjusts machine settings to complete simple tasks accurately, according to specifications, and in a timely fashion. May require a high school diploma or its equivalent. Additionally, Machine Operator I typically reports to a supervisor/manager. The Machine Operator I works under the close direction of senior personnel in the functional area. Possesses a moderate understanding of general aspects of the job. May require 0-1 year of general work experience.
Specify the abilities and skills that a person needs in order to carry out the specified job duties. Each competency has five to ten behavioral assertions that can be observed, each with a corresponding performance level (from one to five) that is required for a particular job.
Commitment: 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.
Machine Operation: Applying methods and techniques to implement, maintain, repair, design, and update various machines following specific rules to ensure safety.
Preventative Maintenance: Developing and implementing maintenance strategies to increase equipment life expectancy and avoid unplanned downtime.
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.
