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 $46,047, a Machine Operator III (3-5 years)earns $52,230, a Machine Operator IV (5-7 years)earns $56,179, a Machine Operator Supervisor (7+ years)earns $81,501,

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 $57,104, California $56,887, Massachusetts $56,129. 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: CNC Laser Machine Operator III: $71,300; Computer Numeric Controlled Machine Operator III: $71,293; CNC Machine Operator III: $71,276; Injection Molding Machine Operator III: $56,611; 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 March 01, 2026, the average salary for a Machine Operator III in Delaware is $52,230 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): $64,032
Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $47,360 to $58,407
Entry-Level (10th percentile): $42,926

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Machine Operator III Salaries by Percentile

	Annual Salary	Monthly Pay	Weekly Pay	Hourly Wage
75th Percentile	$58,407	$4,867	$1,123	$28
Average	$52,230	$4,353	$1,004	$25
25th Percentile	$47,360	$3,947	$911	$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): $46,047
Machine Operator III (3-5 years): $52,230
Machine Operator IV (5-7 years): $56,179
Machine Operator Supervisor (7+ years): $81,501

Job Role	Years of Experience	Average Salary
Machine Operator I	0-1 years	$41,439
Machine Operator II	1-3 years	$46,047
Machine Operator III	3-5 years	$52,230
Machine Operator IV	5-7 years	$56,179
Machine Operator Supervisor	7+ years	$81,501

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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: $57,104.
California: $56,887.
Massachusetts: $56,129.

District of Columbia $57,104 California $56,887 Massachusetts $56,129 Washington $55,923 New Jersey $55,902 Alaska $55,830 Connecticut $55,118 New York $54,829

Hawaii $53,906 Rhode Island $53,473 Maryland $53,179 Minnesota $52,777 Colorado $52,622 Illinois $52,570 Oregon $52,374 Delaware $52,230

New Hampshire $52,139 Virginia $51,936 Pennsylvania $51,343 Nevada $51,044 North Dakota $50,946 Michigan $50,791 Wisconsin $50,734 Vermont $50,621

Texas $50,306 Maine $50,286 Arizona $50,255 Ohio $50,219 Georgia $49,744 Indiana $49,507 Wyoming $49,460 Utah $49,388

Iowa $49,357 Kansas $49,110 Louisiana $49,038 North Carolina $49,012 Missouri $49,001 Florida $48,800 Montana $48,692 Nebraska $48,589

Kentucky $48,532 South Carolina $48,326 Tennessee $48,197 Idaho $48,145 New Mexico $47,769 Oklahoma $47,686 Alabama $47,382 South Dakota $46,871

Arkansas $46,593 West Virginia $46,443 Mississippi $45,995

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: $54,056
Little Creek: $53,555
Magnolia: $53,777

Lincoln, DE $54,056 Little Creek, DE $53,555 Magnolia, DE $53,777 Milford, DE $54,056 Marydel, DE $53,354 Millsboro, DE $54,056 Millville, DE $54,417 Milton, DE $54,056

Nassau, DE $54,056 Ocean View, DE $54,417 Rehoboth Beach, DE $54,417 Seaford, DE $53,488 Selbyville, DE $54,417 Smyrna, DE $53,292 Viola, DE $53,777 Woodside, DE $53,623

Bear, DE $52,900 Newark, DE $52,921 Claymont, DE $52,962 Delaware City, DE $52,921 Hockessin, DE $52,962 Kirkwood, DE $52,921 Middletown, DE $53,184 Montchanin, DE $52,962

New Castle, DE $52,962 Odessa, DE $53,256 Port Penn, DE $52,777 Rockland, DE $52,962 Saint Georges, DE $52,921 Townsend, DE $53,179 Winterthur, DE $52,962 Lewes, DE $54,056

Wilmington, DE $52,962 Dover, DE $53,530 Dover Afb, DE $53,653 Bethany Beach, DE $54,417 Bethel, DE $53,488 Bridgeville, DE $54,056 Camden Wyoming, DE $53,586 Cheswold, DE $53,406

Clayton, DE $53,272 Dagsboro, DE $54,417 Delmar, DE $53,488 Ellendale, DE $54,056 Felton, DE $54,056 Fenwick Island, DE $54,417 Frankford, DE $54,417 Frederica, DE $54,056

Georgetown, DE $54,056 Greenwood, DE $54,056 Harbeson, DE $54,056 Harrington, DE $54,056 Hartly, DE $53,246 Houston, DE $54,056 Kenton, DE $53,272 Laurel, DE $53,488

Yorklyn, DE $52,962

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 March 01, 2026

$47,360

Average $52,230/year

$58,407

$3,947

Average $4,353/month

$4,867

$911

Average $1,004/week

$1,123

$23

Average $25/hour

$28

	Annual Salary	Monthly Pay	Weekly Pay	Hourly Wage
75th Percentile	$58,407	$4,867	$1,123	$28
Average	$52,230	$4,353	$1,004	$25
25th Percentile	$47,360	$3,947	$911	$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	$56,179	8%
Machinist IV	$74,232	42%
CNC Machine Operator III	$72,181	38%
Packaging Supervisor	$85,496	64%

Salaries of jobs related to Machine Operator III

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