Machine Tool Operator Salary in the United States

How much does a Machine Tool Operator make in the United States?

As of April 01, 2026, the average salary for a Machine Tool Operator in the United States is $37,075 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $18.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $42,318
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $34,618 to $39,819
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $32,381
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View as table View as graph 25% $34,618 10% $32,381 90% $42,318 75% $39,819 $37,075 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Machine Tool Operator Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $39,819 $3,318 $766 $19
Average $37,075 $3,090 $713 $18
25th Percentile $34,618 $2,885 $666 $17
Check out Machine Tool Operator Job Openings in the United States
CNC Machine Tool Service Technician

Gosiger - Solon, OH

Tool Room Utility Operator

Midway Products Group Inc - Findlay, OH

Tool Room&amp Equipment Operator

Midway Products Group Inc - Findlay, OH

Tool Room Utility Operator

Midway Products Group, INC - Columbus Grove, OH

Search More Machine Tool Operator Jobs in the United States

Key Factors That Influence Machine Tool Operator Salaries

A Machine Tool 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 Machine Tool Operator Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Machine Tool 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): $37,246
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $41,406
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $50,574
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $57,115
  • Expert (over 8 years): $63,368
Levels Salary
Machine T... Level Machine Tool Operator$37,246
Contact C... Level Machine Tool Operator$41,406
Contact C... Level Machine Tool Operator$50,574
Contact C... Level Machine Tool Operator$57,115
Inbound C... Level Machine Tool Operator$63,368
$37,246 0 yr
$41,406 < 2 yrs
$50,574 2-4 yrs
$57,115 5-8 yrs
$63,368 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

How Do Machine Tool 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 Machine Tool Operators. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $41,050.
  • California: $40,894.
  • Massachusetts: $40,349.

Top Paying Cities for Machine Tool 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: $46,763
  • San Francisco: $46,303
  • Oakland: $45,276

What Skills Can Increase a Machine Tool Operator's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Customer Service (Mentioned in 18.96% Job Postings): Customer service is the provision of service to customers before, during and after a purchase. The perception of success of such interactions is dependent on employees "who can adjust themselves to the personality of the guest". Customer service concerns the priority an organization assigns to customer service relative to components such as product innovation and pricing. In this sense, an organization that values good customer service may spend more money in training employees than the average organization or may proactively interview customers for feedback. From the point of view of an overall sales process engineering effort, customer service plays an important role in an organization's ability to generate income and revenue. From that perspective, customer service should be included as part of an overall approach to systematic improvement. One good customer service experience can change the entire perception a customer holds towards the organization.
  • Microsoft Office (Mentioned in 1.77% Job Postings): Microsoft Office is a suite of desktop productivity applications that is designed by Microsoft for business use. You can create documents containing text and images, work with data in spreadsheets and databases, create presentations and posters.
  • Telemarketing (Mentioned in 1.17% Job Postings): Telemarketing (sometimes known as inside sales, or telesales in the UK and Ireland) is a method of direct marketing in which a salesperson solicits prospective customers to buy products or services, either over the phone or through a subsequent face to face or Web conferencing appointment scheduled during the call. Telemarketing can also include recorded sales pitches programmed to be played over the phone via automatic dialing. Telemarketing is defined as contacting, qualifying, and canvassing prospective customers using telecommunications devices such as telephone, fax, and internet. It does not include direct mail marketing.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Customer Service 18.96%
Microsoft Office 1.77%
Telemarketing 1.17%
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 Machine Tool Operator's salary.
  • Coaching: Can increase your salary by up to 18%.
  • Leadership: Can increase your salary by up to 12%.
  • Commitment: Can increase your salary by up to 11%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Coaching
$43,749
18%
Leadership
$41,524
12%
Commitment
$41,154
11%
Communicates Effectively
$39,300
6%
Billing
$39,300
6%
Verbal Communication
$38,558
4%
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How Education impacts a Machine Tool Operator's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Machine Tool Operators enter the field with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate 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 Machine Tool Operator with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate is between $33,443 and $35,645).

Machine Tool Operator Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Machine Tool Operator
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 2.8%
High School 48.1%
Associates 14.6%
Bachelors 30.8%
Masters 3.4%
Doctorate 0.3%
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Machine Tool Operator Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Machine Tool 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.

Last Updated on April 01, 2026

Salary Trends for Machine Tool Operator

Salaries for a Machine Tool Operator can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $36,402 in 2023 to around $35,333 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Machine Tool Operator salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Machine Tool Operator Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$36,402
2024
$35,788
2025
$35,333
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $36,402
2024 $35,788
2025 $35,333
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Machine Tool Operator

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

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

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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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