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Assembly Technician/Machine Operator Salary in the United States

How much does an Assembly Technician/Machine Operator make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for an Assembly Technician/Machine Operator in the United States is $46,622 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $22.

However, an Assembly Technician/Machine Operator's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $56,476
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $42,262 to $51,780
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $38,293
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Paid Annually Paid Monthly Paid Semimonthly Paid Biweekly Paid Weekly Paid Hourly
View as table View as graph 25% $42,262 10% $38,293 90% $56,476 75% $51,780 $46,622 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Assembly Technician/Machine Operator Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary		 Monthly
Pay		 Weekly
Pay		 Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $51,780 $4,315 $996 $25
Average $46,622 $3,885 $897 $22
25th Percentile $42,262 $3,522 $813 $20
Check out Assembly Technician/Machine Operator Job Openings in the United States
Chief AI Officer

Confidential - Columbus, OH

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Confidential - Columbus, OH

Vice President Credit Risk Strategy&Data Science

Confidential - Columbus, OH

Regional Truck Driver Company

KreilKamp Trucking - Columbus, OH

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Key Factors That Influence Assembly Technician/Machine Operator Salaries

An Assembly Technician/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, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Assembly Technician/Machine Operator Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Assembly Technician/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:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $40,984
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $45,548
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $51,681
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $55,534
  • Expert (over 8 years): $80,684
Levels Salary
Machine O... Level Assembly Technician/Machine Operator$40,984
Assembly ... Level Assembly Technician/Machine Operator$45,548
Machine O... Level Assembly Technician/Machine Operator$51,681
Machine O... Level Assembly Technician/Machine Operator$55,534
Machine O... Level Assembly Technician/Machine Operator$80,684
$40,984 0 yr
$45,548 < 2 yrs
$51,681 2-4 yrs
$55,534 5-8 yrs
$80,684 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

How Do Assembly Technician/Machine Operator 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 Assembly Technician/Machine Operators. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $51,620.
  • California: $51,424.
  • Massachusetts: $50,739.

Top Paying Cities for Assembly Technician/Machine Operators

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: $58,805
  • San Francisco: $58,161
  • Oakland: $56,935

What Skills Can Increase an Assembly Technician/Machine Operator's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Commitment (Mentioned in 3.99% 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.
  • Machine Operation (Mentioned in 3.23% Job Postings): Applying methods and techniques to implement, maintain, repair, design, and update various machines following specific rules to ensure safety.
  • Container (Mentioned in 2.39% Job Postings): Container is an object used for or capable of holding, esp for transport or storage, such as a carton, box, etc.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Commitment 3.99%
Machine Operation 3.23%
Container 2.39%
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 an Assembly Technician/Machine Operator's salary.
  • Analysis: Can increase your salary by up to 8%.
  • Dedication: Can increase your salary by up to 7%.
  • Collaboration: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Analysis
 $50,352
8%
Dedication
 $49,886
7%
Collaboration
 $48,487
4%
Leadership
 $48,021
3%
Initiative
 $48,021
3%
SOP
 $47,555
2%
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Assembly Technician/Machine Operator Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Assembly Technician/Machine Operator roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 60% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Media and Insurance sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 30% above the average. In contrast, Assembly Technician/Machine Operator positions in MFG Durable or Internet typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Assembly Technician/Machine Operator as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an Assembly Technician/Machine Operator

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Media$60,609$29.030%
Insurance$58,278$28.025%
Construction$55,947$27.020%
Financial Services$53,616$26.015%
Aerospace & Defense$51,285$25.010%

How Education impacts an Assembly Technician/Machine Operator's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Assembly Technician/Machine Operators 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 an Assembly Technician/Machine Operator with a No Diploma is between $44,700 and $47,709).

Assembly Technician/Machine Operator Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Assembly Technician/Machine Operator
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 85.7%
High School 85.7%
Associates 9.5%
Bachelors 4.8%
Masters 0.0%
Doctorate 0.0%
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Assembly Technician/Machine Operator Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Assembly Technician/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.

  • Hourly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Yearly
  • Table View
Last Updated on August 01, 2026
$42,262
Average $46,622/year
$51,780
$3,522
Average $3,885/month
$4,315
$813
Average $897/week
$996
$20
Average $22/hour
$25
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $51,780 $4,315 $996 $25
Average $46,622 $3,885 $897 $22
25th Percentile $42,262 $3,522 $813 $20

Salaries of jobs related to Assembly Technician/Machine Operator

Salary Trends for Assembly Technician/Machine Operator

Salaries for an Assembly Technician/Machine Operator can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary increased from $42,134 in 2023 to around $42,171 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Assembly Technician/Machine Operator salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Assembly Technician/Machine Operator Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$42,134
2024
$42,286
2025
$42,171
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $42,134
2024 $42,286
2025 $42,171
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Assembly Technician/Machine Operator

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Assembly Technician/Machine Operator

Here are companies hiring for Assembly Technician/Machine Operator and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next Assembly Technician/Machine Operator Job

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

United States

  • Confidential

    Columbus, OH

    Vice President Payments Engineering

    Confidential | Columbus, OH

    Vice President, Payments Engineering. About the Company. Globally-recognized provider of corporate payment solutions. Industry. Financial Services. Type. P... more

    21 Days Ago

  • Confidential

    Columbus, OH

    Senior Vice President of Project Delivery

    Confidential | Columbus, OH

    Senior Vice President of Project Delivery. About the Company. A multi-billion-dollar construction organization with collaborative, servant-minded leadershi... more

    21 Days Ago

  • Confidential

    Columbus, OH

    Chief of Staff

    Confidential | Columbus, OH

    Chief of Staff. About the Company. Innovative travel platform for booking & managing work trips. Industry. Computer Software. Type. Privately Held, VC-back... more

    21 Days Ago

  • McDonalds

    Columbus, OH

    McDonalds

    McDonalds | Columbus, OH

    McDonald’s is seeking Crew Team Members to assist with daily restaurant operations including customer service, food preparation, and maintaining restaurant... more

    28 Days Ago

  • Amazon Flex

    Columbus, OH

    Amazon Flex

    Amazon Flex | Columbus, OH

    Amazon Flex Delivery Drivers use their own vehicle to deliver Amazon packages to customers on scheduled delivery blocks. Drivers are responsible for pickin... more

    28 Days Ago

  • Confidential

    Columbus, OH

    Vice President Commercial

    Confidential | Columbus, OH

    Vice President, Commercial. About the Company. Globally-recognized manufacturer of packaging components & delivery systems for injectable drugs. Industry. ... more

    1 Month Ago

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FAQ about Assembly Technician/Machine Operator

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Assembly Technician/Machine Operator?

The Media industry offers the highest average compensation for Assembly Technician/Machine Operator roles, with salaries approximately 30% 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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