Assembly Technician/Machine Operator Salary in the United States

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

As of January 01, 2026, the average salary for an Assembly Technician/Machine Operator in the United States is $46,604 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): $56,345
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $42,264 to $51,703
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $38,312
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View as table View as graph 25% $42,264 10% $38,312 90% $56,345 75% $51,703 $46,604 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 $51,703 $4,309 $994 $25
Average $46,604 $3,884 $896 $22
25th Percentile $42,264 $3,522 $813 $20
Check out Assembly Technician/Machine Operator Job Openings in the United States
Machine Operator

Aladdin Temp Rite - HENDERSONVILLE, TN

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Cargill - HEWITT, TX

Refrigeration Operator

Cargill - LAGUNA PARK, TX

Refrigeration Operator

Cargill - BEVERLY HILLS, TX

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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): $44,070
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $44,204
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $45,542
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $47,312
  • Expert (over 8 years): $48,020
Levels Salary
Entry Level Assembly Technician/Machine Operator$44,070
Intermediate Level Assembly Technician/Machine Operator$44,204
Senior Level Assembly Technician/Machine Operator$45,542
Specialist Level Assembly Technician/Machine Operator$47,312
Expert Level Assembly Technician/Machine Operator$48,020
$44,070 0 yr
$44,204 < 2 yrs
$45,542 2-4 yrs
$47,312 5-8 yrs
$48,020 > 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: $51,600.
  • California: $51,404.
  • Massachusetts: $50,719.

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: $58,782
  • San Francisco: $58,204
  • Oakland: $56,913

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
 $50,332
8%
Dedication
 $49,866
7%
Collaboration
 $48,468
4%
Leadership
 $48,002
3%
Initiative
 $48,002
3%
SOP
 $47,536
2%
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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 January 01, 2026
$42,264
Average $46,604/year
$51,703
$3,522
Average $3,884/month
$4,309
$813
Average $896/week
$994
$20
Average $22/hour
$25
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $51,703 $4,309 $994 $25
Average $46,604 $3,884 $896 $22
25th Percentile $42,264 $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
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Most common benefits for Assembly Technician/Machine Operator

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