Median Salary
$58,750
per year, national
Hourly Rate
$28.25
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
Top 10% Earn
$80,010
entry level starts ~$39,200
Pay Grade
B
solid pay · 287,000 employed
How much does a Machinist make?
The median pay for a Machinist in the United States is $58,750 per year — about $28.25 per hour. Entry-level positions start near $39,200, while the most experienced Machinists in the top 10% earn $80,010.
That is $2,640 less than the median across all occupations in BLS data ($61,390).
Machinist salary range by percentile
Half of all Machinists earn between $47,570 and $67,700 a year.
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $39,200 | $18.85 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $47,570 | $22.87 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $58,750 | $28.25 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $67,700 | $32.55 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $80,010 | $38.47 |
|
Highest-paying states for Machinist
Where you work matters more than almost anything else. Hawaii leads the country for Machinist pay at $84,410 a year, followed by Alaska ($77,670) and District of Columbia ($72,900). At the other end, West Virginia posts the lowest median at $47,350 — a gap of $37,060 for the same job, driven by local demand, industry mix, and cost of living.
Machinist salary in every state
Official BLS state-level figures across 51 states and territories. Click a state for the full local breakdown.
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 $55,550North Carolina $55,230Nevada $53,050Georgia $52,610Michigan $52,360Kansas $51,220Arkansas $51,140Oklahoma $51,120South Dakota $50,890Tennessee $49,600West Virginia $47,350
Workforce and education
About 287,000 people work as Machinists in the United States. On qualifications: a high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job, per O*NET occupation data.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Machinist make in the United States?
The median Machinist salary in the United States is $58,750 per year, or about $28.25 per hour, according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates. Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $39,200, while the top 10% of earners make $80,010 or more.
How does Machinist pay compare to other jobs?
With a pay grade of B (solid pay), the Machinist median of $58,750 is below the national median across all occupations tracked in BLS data ($61,390).
Which state pays Machinists the most?
Hawaii is the highest-paying state for Machinists, with a median salary of $84,410 per year, based on official state-level BLS wage estimates.
How long does it take to become a Machinist?
Becoming a Machinist typically requires a high school diploma. A high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job.
How many Machinists work in the United States?
About 287,000 people were employed as Machinists in the United States in the latest BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics estimates.
Related salaries
Other manufacturing & production roles with similar pay.
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median pay · specialist role
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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). Percentiles, employment, and state figures are official BLS estimates; hourly figures assume 2,080 hours/year. Individual pay varies by employer, experience, and location.