Machinist Salary in the United States

How much does a Machinist make in the United States?

As of April 01, 2026, the average salary for a Machinist in the United States is $58,322 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $28.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $70,100
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $52,672 to $64,487
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $47,529
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View as table View as graph 25% $52,672 10% $47,529 90% $70,100 75% $64,487 $58,322 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Machinist Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $64,487 $5,374 $1,240 $31
Average $58,322 $4,860 $1,122 $28
25th Percentile $52,672 $4,389 $1,013 $25
Check out Machinist Job Openings in the United States
CNC HBM Machinist

Wagner Machine Inc. - Norton, OH

CNC Machinist – Job Shop (Mill & Lathe)

Wagner Machine Inc. - Norton, OH

Level II Machinist (Setup & Operate)

Queen City Mfg - Cincinnati, OH

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Key Factors That Influence Machinist Salaries

A 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 Machinist Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a 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): $45,404
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $57,868
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $64,898
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $72,425
  • Expert (over 8 years): $64,867
Levels Salary
Machinist... Level Machinist$45,404
Machinist... Level Machinist$57,868
Machinist... Level Machinist$64,898
Machinist... Level Machinist$72,425
Machine S... Level Machinist$64,867
$45,404 0 yr
$57,868 < 2 yrs
$64,898 2-4 yrs
$72,425 5-8 yrs
$64,867 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for 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: $73,561
  • San Francisco: $72,838
  • Oakland: $71,222

What Skills Can Increase a Machinist's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Commitment (Mentioned in 4.34% Job Postings): 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.
  • Metal Fabrication (Mentioned in 3.52% Job Postings): Metal fabrication is defined as creating products or structures by cutting, bending, and/or assembling metal material.
  • Food Safety (Mentioned in 1.88% Job Postings): Applying procedures during food preparation, processing, storage, and distribution to ensure consumers are safe from foodborne illnesses.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Commitment 4.34%
Metal Fabrication 3.52%
Food Safety 1.88%
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 Machinist's salary.
  • Food Safety: Can increase your salary by up to 7%.
  • Coaching: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
  • Analysis: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Food Safety
$62,404
7%
Coaching
$61,821
6%
Analysis
$61,821
6%
Accountability
$60,654
4%
Programming
$60,654
4%
Scheduling
$60,654
4%
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How Education impacts a Machinist's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many 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 Machinist with a No Diploma is between $53,132 and $56,985).

Machinist Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Machinist
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 65.1%
High School 65.1%
Associates 28.6%
Bachelors 4.8%
Masters 0.0%
Doctorate 1.6%
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Machinist Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a 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.

Last Updated on April 01, 2026

Salary Trends for Machinist

Salaries for a Machinist can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary increased from $41,558 in 2023 to around $41,595 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Machinist salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Machinist Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$41,558
2024
$41,708
2025
$41,595
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $41,558
2024 $41,708
2025 $41,595
2026
View More
2027
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Most common benefits for Machinist

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

Here are companies hiring for Machinist and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next Machinist Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Machinist job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

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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.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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