What are the main factors that influence a Machine Operator III's salary?

The primary factors are: 1) Experience Level, 2) Geographic Location, 3) Education/Skills, 4) Company Size & Industry

How does experience change A Machine Operator 's salary?

A Machine Operator 's salary grows with experience: a Machine Operator I (0-1 years)earns $41,439, a Machine Operator II (1-3 years)earns $46,049, a Machine Operator III (3-5 years)earns $52,239, a Machine Operator IV (5-7 years)earns $56,165, a Machine Operator Supervisor (7+ years)earns $81,533,

What are the highest paying states for a Machine Operator III?

Machine Operator III salary varies significantly by state. The top 3 highest paying states for Machine Operator III roles are District of Columbia $57,114, California $56,897, Massachusetts $56,139. These tech hubs typically pay 10-15% above the national average.

How much do different types of Machine Operator roles make?

Salaries for Machine Operator level roles vary by specialization: Computer Numeric Controlled Machine Operator III: $71,313; CNC Laser Machine Operator III: $71,300; CNC Machine Operator III: $71,297; Injection Molding Machine Operator III: $56,629; Production Machine Operator III: $51,600.

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Machine Operator III Salary in Delaware

How much does a Machine Operator III make in Delaware?

As of May 01, 2026, the average salary for a Machine Operator III in Delaware is $52,239 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $25.

However, a Machine Operator III's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

Top Earners (90th percentile): $63,896
Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $47,301 to $58,341
Entry-Level (10th percentile): $42,805

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Machine Operator III Salaries by Percentile

	Annual Salary	Monthly Pay	Weekly Pay	Hourly Wage
75th Percentile	$58,341	$4,862	$1,122	$28
Average	$52,239	$4,353	$1,005	$25
25th Percentile	$47,301	$3,942	$910	$23

You may get higher pay by adjusting the following factors:

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Key Factors That Influence Machine Operator III Salaries

A Machine Operator III'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 and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Machine Operator Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Machine Operator III'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:

Machine Operator I (0-1 years): $41,439
Machine Operator II (1-3 years): $46,049
Machine Operator III (3-5 years): $52,239
Machine Operator IV (5-7 years): $56,165
Machine Operator Supervisor (7+ years): $81,533

Job Role	Years of Experience	Average Salary
Machine Operator I	0-1 years	$41,439
Machine Operator II	1-3 years	$46,049
Machine Operator III	3-5 years	$52,239
Machine Operator IV	5-7 years	$56,165
Machine Operator Supervisor	7+ years	$81,533

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What Am I Worth?

How Do Machine Operator III 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 Machine Operator IIIs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

District of Columbia: $57,114.
California: $56,897.
Massachusetts: $56,139.

District of Columbia $57,114 California $56,897 Massachusetts $56,139 Washington $55,933 New Jersey $55,912 Alaska $55,840 Connecticut $55,128 New York $54,839

Hawaii $53,916 Rhode Island $53,482 Maryland $53,188 Minnesota $52,786 Colorado $52,631 Illinois $52,580 Oregon $52,384 Delaware $52,239

New Hampshire $52,148 Virginia $51,945 Pennsylvania $51,352 Nevada $51,053 North Dakota $50,955 Michigan $50,800 Wisconsin $50,743 Vermont $50,630

Texas $50,315 Maine $50,294 Arizona $50,263 Ohio $50,227 Georgia $49,753 Indiana $49,515 Wyoming $49,469 Utah $49,397

Iowa $49,366 Kansas $49,118 Louisiana $49,046 North Carolina $49,020 Missouri $49,010 Florida $48,809 Montana $48,700 Nebraska $48,597

Kentucky $48,541 South Carolina $48,334 Tennessee $48,205 Idaho $48,154 New Mexico $47,777 Oklahoma $47,695 Alabama $47,390 South Dakota $46,880

Arkansas $46,601 West Virginia $46,451 Mississippi $46,003

Top Paying Cities for Machine Operator IIIs

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:

Lincoln: $52,004
Little Creek: $52,385
Magnolia: $52,309

Lincoln, DE $52,004 Little Creek, DE $52,385 Magnolia, DE $52,309 Milford, DE $52,136 Marydel, DE $52,222 Millsboro, DE $51,786 Millville, DE $51,866 Milton, DE $51,955

Nassau, DE $51,993 Ocean View, DE $51,857 Rehoboth Beach, DE $51,956 Seaford, DE $51,986 Selbyville, DE $51,771 Smyrna, DE $52,421 Viola, DE $52,179 Woodside, DE $52,320

Bear, DE $52,199 Newark, DE $52,179 Claymont, DE $52,286 Delaware City, DE $52,231 Hockessin, DE $52,175 Kirkwood, DE $52,222 Middletown, DE $52,242 Montchanin, DE $52,187

New Castle, DE $52,194 Odessa, DE $52,267 Port Penn, DE $52,303 Rockland, DE $52,192 Saint Georges, DE $52,225 Townsend, DE $52,306 Winterthur, DE $52,198 Lewes, DE $51,976

Wilmington, DE $52,177 Dover, DE $52,385 Dover Afb, DE $52,109 Bethany Beach, DE $51,802 Bethel, DE $51,856 Bridgeville, DE $51,978 Camden Wyoming, DE $52,237 Cheswold, DE $52,368

Clayton, DE $52,369 Dagsboro, DE $51,766 Delmar, DE $51,683 Ellendale, DE $51,840 Felton, DE $52,132 Fenwick Island, DE $51,777 Frankford, DE $51,687 Frederica, DE $52,183

Georgetown, DE $51,746 Greenwood, DE $51,986 Harbeson, DE $51,802 Harrington, DE $52,066 Hartly, DE $52,228 Houston, DE $51,992 Kenton, DE $52,372 Laurel, DE $51,716

Yorklyn, DE $52,190

Machine Operator III Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Machine Operator III'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 May 01, 2026

$47,301

Average $52,239/year

$58,341

$3,942

Average $4,353/month

$4,862

$910

Average $1,005/week

$1,122

$23

Average $25/hour

$28

	Annual Salary	Monthly Pay	Weekly Pay	Hourly Wage
75th Percentile	$58,341	$4,862	$1,122	$28
Average	$52,239	$4,353	$1,005	$25
25th Percentile	$47,301	$3,942	$910	$23

Machine Operator III Salary Growth & Career Path

Machine Operator III

Machine Operator IV

Machinist IV

CNC Machine Operator III

Packaging Supervisor

Machine Operator Supervisor

Machine Shop Production Supervisor I

Packaging Manager

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Machine Operator III, 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.

Machine Operator III Salary Growth and Career Path
Next Step Role	Estimate Salary	Projected Raise
Machine Operator IV	$56,165	8%
Machinist IV	$74,256	42%
CNC Machine Operator III	$72,202	38%
Packaging Supervisor	$85,533	64%

Salaries of jobs related to Machine Operator III

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