How much does a machinist make?
The median machinist in the United States earns $56,150 per year, about $27.00 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all machinists earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024. SOC code 51-4041.
Machinist salary range
Pay for machinists spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $38,100 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $78,760. The average (mean) wage of $57,390 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $38,100 | $18.32 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $46,250 | $22.23 | |
| Median (50th) | $56,150 | $27.00 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $64,910 | $31.21 | |
| 90th percentile | $78,760 | $37.86 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for machinists (SOC 51-4041), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2024.
Machinist salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Machinists earn the most in District of Columbia at $101,810 a year, and the least in West Virginia at $47,980. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $101,810 | 230 |
| Hawaii | $77,060 | 290 |
| Alaska | $72,710 | 140 |
| Washington | $64,510 | 6,980 |
| Wyoming | $64,020 | 300 |
| Massachusetts | $62,420 | 7,870 |
| Oregon | $62,120 | 3,220 |
| New Jersey | $62,010 | 3,530 |
| Maine | $61,950 | 1,560 |
| Montana | $61,230 | 680 |
| Connecticut | $61,090 | 6,070 |
| Virginia | $60,920 | 6,140 |
| Utah | $60,450 | 3,680 |
| Delaware | $60,320 | 390 |
| New York | $60,220 | 8,870 |
| New Hampshire | $59,910 | 1,540 |
| Minnesota | $59,860 | 14,910 |
| Rhode Island | $59,490 | 860 |
| Arizona | $59,020 | 5,280 |
| Colorado | $58,890 | 2,580 |
| Louisiana | $58,710 | 4,980 |
| Maryland | $58,240 | 1,600 |
| North Dakota | $58,110 | 500 |
| Nebraska | $58,060 | 2,210 |
| Missouri | $57,920 | 8,200 |
| New Mexico | $57,520 | 830 |
| Illinois | $56,700 | 16,100 |
| California | $56,220 | 21,580 |
| Ohio | $56,200 | 14,110 |
| Texas | $56,040 | 20,770 |
| Nevada | $55,580 | 860 |
| North Carolina | $55,520 | 8,310 |
| Idaho | $53,760 | 1,150 |
| Kentucky | $53,630 | 4,150 |
| Iowa | $53,400 | 3,010 |
| Alabama | $53,320 | 5,620 |
| South Carolina | $53,040 | 4,530 |
| Pennsylvania | $52,560 | 15,060 |
| Wisconsin | $52,030 | 12,530 |
| Oklahoma | $51,980 | 4,020 |
| Florida | $50,570 | 8,240 |
| Mississippi | $50,460 | 2,110 |
| Michigan | $49,930 | 23,090 |
| South Dakota | $49,830 | 580 |
| Georgia | $49,420 | 6,930 |
| Vermont | $49,040 | 380 |
| Indiana | $48,910 | 16,510 |
| Arkansas | $48,820 | 2,390 |
| Tennessee | $48,610 | 7,730 |
| Kansas | $48,490 | 4,070 |
| West Virginia | $47,980 | 1,530 |
State median wages for machinists (SOC 51-4041), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2024. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for machinists
The BLS projects employment of machinists to grow 1% from 2025 to 2035. That is slower than the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 288,300 jobs in 2025 moving toward 291,200 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 26,100 openings a year for machinists. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a machinist
The typical entry-level education for machinists is a high school diploma or equivalent, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete long-term on-the-job training to reach full competency.
A four-year college degree is usually not required to start, which makes this one of the jobs you can enter without a bachelor's degree. See more high paying jobs without a degree .
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a machinist earns
Industry, shift, certifications, and region drive pay, along with overtime. Skilled operators and workers in unionized plants sit near the top of the range.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (District of Columbia, $101,810) and the lowest (West Virginia, $47,980) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 298,790 people work as machinists in the United States. At $56,150 a year, the job pays above the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs.
Machinist salary FAQ
How much does a machinist make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a machinist is $27.00. The middle half of machinists earn between $22.23 and $31.21 per hour.
What is the highest machinist salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of machinists earn more than $78,760 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a machinist make a year?
The median annual salary for a machinist is $56,150. The average (mean) wage of $57,390 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a machinist a well paid job?
At $56,150 a year, a machinist earns above the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs. About 298,790 people work as machinists in the United States.
Which state pays machinists the most?
District of Columbia has the highest median salary for machinists at $101,810 a year. Hawaii ($77,060) and Alaska ($72,710) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2024.
Is being a machinist a good career?
Employment of machinists is projected to grow 1% from 2025 to 2035, slower than the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 26,100 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a machinist?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for machinists as a high school diploma or equivalent, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
Related salaries
See more in Production & Manufacturing salaries or browse the highest paying jobs in the U.S.