First Class Machinist Salary in the United States

How much does a First Class Machinist make in the United States?

As of January 01, 2026, the average salary for a First Class Machinist in the United States is $47,771 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $23.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $59,786
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $42,828 to $54,060
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $38,327
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View as table View as graph 25% $42,828 10% $38,327 90% $59,786 75% $54,060 $47,771 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

First Class Machinist Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary		 Monthly
Pay		 Weekly
Pay		 Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $54,060 $4,505 $1,040 $26
Average $47,771 $3,981 $919 $23
25th Percentile $42,828 $3,569 $824 $21
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Key Factors That Influence First Class Machinist Salaries

A First Class Machinist'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 First Class Machinist Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a First Class Machinist'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-Level (less than 1 year): $48,114
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $48,320
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $49,337
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $50,947
  • Expert (over 8 years): $51,162
Levels Salary
Entry Level First Class Machinist$48,114
Intermediate Level First Class Machinist$48,320
Senior Level First Class Machinist$49,337
Specialist Level First Class Machinist$50,947
Expert Level First Class Machinist$51,162
$48,114 0 yr
$48,320 < 2 yrs
$49,337 2-4 yrs
$50,947 5-8 yrs
$51,162 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

How Do First Class Machinist 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 First Class Machinists. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $52,892.
  • California: $52,691.
  • Massachusetts: $51,989.

Top Paying Cities for First Class Machinists

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: $60,253
  • San Francisco: $59,661
  • Oakland: $58,338

What Skills Can Increase a First Class Machinist's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Customer Service (Mentioned in 22.98% Job Postings): Customer service is the provision of service to customers before, during and after a purchase. The perception of success of such interactions is dependent on employees "who can adjust themselves to the personality of the guest". Customer service concerns the priority an organization assigns to customer service relative to components such as product innovation and pricing. In this sense, an organization that values good customer service may spend more money in training employees than the average organization or may proactively interview customers for feedback. From the point of view of an overall sales process engineering effort, customer service plays an important role in an organization's ability to generate income and revenue. From that perspective, customer service should be included as part of an overall approach to systematic improvement. One good customer service experience can change the entire perception a customer holds towards the organization.
  • Retail Management (Mentioned in 1.59% Job Postings): Refers to the process of helping customers find products in your store, It includes everything from increasing your customer pool to how products are presented, and how you fulfill a customer's needs
  • Internal Control (Mentioned in 1.11% Job Postings): Internal control, as defined by accounting and auditing, is a process for assuring of an organization's objectives in operational effectiveness and efficiency, reliable financial reporting, and compliance with laws, regulations and policies.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Customer Service 22.98%
Retail Management 1.59%
Internal Control 1.11%
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 First Class Machinist's salary.
  • Budgeting: Can increase your salary by up to 20%.
  • Training Management: Can increase your salary by up to 19%.
  • Flexibility: Can increase your salary by up to 18%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Budgeting
 $57,325
20%
Training Management
 $56,847
19%
Flexibility
 $56,369
18%
Interviewing
 $52,548
10%
Financial Analysis
 $52,548
10%
Time Management
 $52,070
9%
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How Education impacts a First Class Machinist's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many First Class Machinists 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 First Class Machinist with a No Diploma is between $37,428 and $43,439).

First Class Machinist Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for First Class Machinist
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 6.8%
High School 13.6%
Associates 10.2%
Bachelors 64.4%
Masters 5.1%
Doctorate 0.0%
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First Class Machinist Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a First Class Machinist'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.

  • Hourly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Yearly
  • Table View
Last Updated on January 01, 2026
$42,828
Average $47,771/year
$54,060
$3,569
Average $3,981/month
$4,505
$824
Average $919/week
$1,040
$21
Average $23/hour
$26
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $54,060 $4,505 $1,040 $26
Average $47,771 $3,981 $919 $23
25th Percentile $42,828 $3,569 $824 $21

Salaries of jobs related to First Class Machinist

Salary Trends for First Class Machinist

Salaries for a First Class Machinist can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $52,153 in 2023 to around $50,645 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of First Class Machinist salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of First Class Machinist Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$52,153
2024
$51,313
2025
$50,645
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $52,153
2024 $51,313
2025 $50,645
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for First Class Machinist

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for First Class Machinist

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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.)

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