Machinist Set Up Salary in the United States

How much does a Machinist Set Up make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Machinist Set Up in the United States is $45,536 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $22.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $52,258
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $41,872 to $49,054
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $38,537

Key Factors That Influence Machinist Set Up Salaries

A Machinist Set Up'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 Set Up Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Machinist Set Up'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): $45,277
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $57,744
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $64,774
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $72,247
  • Expert (over 8 years): $64,702
Levels Salary
Machinist... Level Machinist Set Up$45,277
Machinist... Level Machinist Set Up$57,744
Machinist... Level Machinist Set Up$64,774
Machinist... Level Machinist Set Up$72,247
Machine S... Level Machinist Set Up$64,702

How Do Machinist Set Up 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 Machinist Set Ups. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $50,417.
  • California: $50,226.
  • Massachusetts: $49,556.

Top Paying Cities for Machinist Set Ups

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: $57,434
  • San Francisco: $56,805
  • Oakland: $55,608

What Skills Can Increase a Machinist Set Up's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Commitment (Mentioned in 3.45% 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 3.33% Job Postings): Metal fabrication is defined as creating products or structures by cutting, bending, and/or assembling metal material.
  • HVAC (Mentioned in 1.79% Job Postings): Designing, developing, maintaining, and updating Heating, Ventilation, Air-conditioning and Cooling system.
Skills Demand Percentage
Commitment 3.45%
Metal Fabrication 3.33%
HVAC 1.79%

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 Set Up's salary.

  • SOP: Can increase your salary by up to 12%.
  • Time Management: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
  • Consulting: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
SOP $51,000
12%
Time Management $48,268
6%
Consulting $47,812
5%

Machinist Set Up Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Machinist Set Up 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 Aerospace & Defense and Business Services sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Machinist Set Up positions in Biotechnology or Transportation typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Machinist Set Up as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for a Machinist Set Up

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Aerospace & Defense$54,643$26.020%

How Education impacts a Machinist Set Up's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Machinist Set Ups 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 Set Up with a No Diploma is between $43,569 and $46,801).

Machinist Set Up Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Machinist Set Up
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 1.6%
High School 72.4%
Associates 22.0%
Bachelors 4.1%
Masters 0.0%
Doctorate 0.0%

Machinist Set Up Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Machinist Set Up'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 September 01, 2026
$41,872
Average $45,536/year
$49,054
$3,489
Average $3,795/month
$4,088
$805
Average $876/week
$943
$20
Average $22/hour
$24
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $49,054 $4,088 $943 $24
Average $45,536 $3,795 $876 $22
25th Percentile $41,872 $3,489 $805 $20

Most common benefits for Machinist Set Up

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Machinist Set Up

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

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FAQ about Machinist Set Up

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Machinist Set Up?

The Aerospace & Defense industry offers the highest average compensation for Machinist Set Up roles, with salaries approximately 20% above the market median.

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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