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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Lathe Machine Operator in California is $41,327 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $20.
However, a Lathe Machine Operator's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Lathe Machine Operator Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $44,631 | $3,719 | $858 | $21 |
| Average | $41,327 | $3,444 | $795 | $20 |
| 25th Percentile | $38,484 | $3,207 | $740 | $19 |
Kelly - Anaheim, CA
Element - Huntington Beach, CA
SolomonEdwards - Monrovia, CA
Las Precision Machining Inc - Valencia, CA
A Lathe Machine Operator'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.
Experience is a primary driver of a Lathe Machine Operator'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:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Lathe Mac... Level Lathe Machine Operator | $41,920 |
| Returns C... Level Lathe Machine Operator | $46,404 |
| Returns C... Level Lathe Machine Operator | $51,241 |
| Returns S... Level Lathe Machine Operator | $65,669 |
| Returns M... Level Lathe Machine Operator | $73,732 |
What Am I Worth?
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 Lathe Machine Operators. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
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:
For Lathe Machine Operator roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Biotechnology and Business Services sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Lathe Machine Operator positions in Aerospace & Defense or Transportation typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Lathe Machine Operator as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biotechnology | $49,593 | $24.0 | 20% |
Understanding how a Lathe Machine Operator'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.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $44,631 | $3,719 | $858 | $21 |
| Average | $41,327 | $3,444 | $795 | $20 |
| 25th Percentile | $38,484 | $3,207 | $740 | $19 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Lathe Machine Operator job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Essex Industries
Huntington Beach, CA
Essex Industries | Huntington Beach, CA
Job Title. Lathe Operator. Job Description. Essex Industries is a multi-site aerospace and defense manufacturer serving military and commercial customers w... more
9 Days Ago
Fontana Fasteners
Burbank, CA
Fontana Fasteners | Burbank, CA
Our employees are the reason for our successPosition SummarySet up and be able to operate all machines within the machine shopPosition Responsibilities Inc... more
9 Days Ago
Unicare Community Health Center
Burbank, CA
Unicare Community Health Center | Burbank, CA
Machine Shop Operator. Our employees are the reason for our success. Set up and be able to operate all machines within the machine shop. Position Responsib... more
11 Days Ago
MS Aerospace
Sylmar, CA
MS Aerospace | Sylmar, CA
CNC Lathe Operator. M.S. Aerospace Inc. (MSA) is an aerospace manufacturer of high strength specialty fasteners, including bolts, screws, studs, and pins. ... more
8 Days Ago
South Bay Solutions
Fremont, CA
South Bay Solutions | Fremont, CA
Job DescriptionThe occupation requires monitoring and operating CNC (computer numerically controlled) lathe machines to cut metal and plastic parts for the... more
9 Days Ago
Senior plc
Valencia, CA
Senior plc | Valencia, CA
CNC Lathe Operator. The CNC Machine Operator is responsible for setting up, operating, and maintaining CNC (Computer Numerical Control) machines to produce... more
9 Days Ago
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