North Carolina Median
$55,230
per year
Hourly Rate
$26.55
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-6% vs US median
US median $58,750
State Rank
#42 of 51
8,330 employed here
How much does a Machinist make in North Carolina?
Machinists in North Carolina take home a median of $55,230 annually — roughly $26.55 an hour — which runs 6% below the national median of $58,750.
Within North Carolina, entry-level pay starts around $37,110 while the top 10% make $75,570 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $45,300 and $62,680 a year.
Machinist salary range in North Carolina
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,110 | $17.84 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $45,300 | $21.78 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $55,230 | $26.55 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $62,680 | $30.13 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $75,570 | $36.33 |
|
How North Carolina compares
North Carolina ranks 42nd out of 51 states and territories for Machinist pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Machinist salary in other states
Hawaii $84,410Alaska $77,670District of Columbia $72,900Massachusetts $67,270Washington $66,160Oregon $63,820New Jersey $63,190Wyoming $63,070Vermont $62,680Delaware $62,650Connecticut $62,130North Dakota $61,820New Hampshire $61,500Virginia $61,290Utah $61,280Minnesota $61,140Louisiana $61,110Arizona $61,080Montana $60,920New York $60,920Colorado $60,200Maryland $59,810New Mexico $59,440Texas $59,180Maine $59,160Wisconsin $59,110Idaho $58,810Missouri $58,710Kentucky $58,660Illinois $58,520South Carolina $57,970Ohio $57,940Pennsylvania $57,810Indiana $57,800Rhode Island $57,760Iowa $57,540California $57,190Florida $57,140Nebraska $55,860Alabama $55,560Mississippi $55,550Nevada $53,050Georgia $52,610Michigan $52,360Kansas $51,220Arkansas $51,140Oklahoma $51,120South Dakota $50,890Tennessee $49,600West Virginia $47,350
Working as a Machinist in North Carolina
Nationally, about 287,000 people work as Machinists in the United States. A high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job.
Considering a move? Compare North Carolina pay ($55,230) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Machinist make in North Carolina?
The median Machinist salary in North Carolina is $55,230 per year, or about $26.55 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $37,110 at the entry level to $75,570 for the top 10% of earners.
How does North Carolina pay compare to the national average?
North Carolina pays Machinists about 6% less than the national median of $58,750. North Carolina ranks 42nd out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is North Carolina a good state for Machinists?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $55,230 a year. About 8,330 Machinists are employed in North Carolina. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in North Carolina?
The highest-paying occupations in North Carolina include Surgeon, All Other ($398,410), Dermatologist ($367,350), Emergency Medicine Physician ($339,350), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Machinist salary report
Related salaries
$48,990
median pay · 95,000 employed
$41,640
median pay · 14,000 employed
$53,750
median pay · 416,000 employed
$62,620
median pay · specialist role
$41,330
median pay · 7,000 employed
$63,870
median pay · 6,000 employed
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.