Machinist Salary
Machinists earn a median $58,750 a year nationally. Production Occupations
U.S. median
$58,750
$28.25 per hour
Range
$39,200 – $80,010
10th to 90th percentile
Employed
287,050
across the U.S.
▲4.6%
Pay trend: The median for machinists in the U.S. rose from $56,150 (May 2024) to $58,750 (May 2025). That beat inflation (2.4%), a real raise of about 2.2%.
What machinists do
Set up and operate a variety of machine tools to produce precision parts and instruments out of metal. May also fabricate and modify parts to make or repair machine tools or maintain industrial machines, applying knowledge of mechanics, mathematics, metal properties, layout, and machining procedures. Machinists who primarily program or operate computer numerically controlled (CNC) equipment are classified in "Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators and Programmers" (51-9160).
- Typical education
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- Long-term on-the-job training
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +1.0% (slower than average)
- Openings per year
- 26,100
Employment of machinists is projected to grow 1.0% from 2025 to 2035, slower than the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 26,100 openings are expected each year, on average, including jobs left by workers who retire or switch careers.
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Machinist take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
Your take-home pay
$49,386
per year · effective tax rate 15.9%
$4,115Monthly
$2,058Twice a month
$1,899Every 2 weeks
$23.74Hourly
- Federal income tax$4,870
- Social Security (6.2%)$3,643
- Medicare (1.45%)$852
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$49,386
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $39,200 | $18.85 | $33,677 |
| 25th percentile | $47,570 | $22.87 | $40,402 |
| Median (50th) | $58,750 | $28.25 | $49,386 |
| 75th percentile | $67,700 | $32.55 | $56,457 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $80,010 | $38.47 | $65,117 |
Best cities for machinists (after tax & cost of living)
| # | Metro area | Median | Take-home | Real value* | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Seattle, WA | $74,560 | $61,283 | $55,144 | 4,250 |
| 2 | St. Louis, MO | $62,210 | $50,179 | $52,771 | 5,620 |
| 3 | Houston, TX | $61,280 | $51,418 | $52,133 | 8,140 |
| 4 | Boston, MA | $72,060 | $56,141 | $51,855 | 4,870 |
| 5 | Cleveland, OH | $58,240 | $48,157 | $51,272 | 3,980 |
| 6 | Virginia Beach, VA | $62,900 | $49,918 | $50,967 | 2,350 |
| 7 | Hartford, CT | $64,320 | $51,892 | $50,505 | 2,680 |
| 8 | Milwaukee, WI | $60,320 | $48,774 | $50,315 | 4,230 |
| 9 | Charlotte, NC | $60,210 | $48,665 | $49,991 | 2,390 |
| 10 | Cincinnati, OH | $57,300 | $47,427 | $49,730 | 2,890 |
| 11 | Dallas, TX | $59,830 | $50,253 | $48,747 | 4,660 |
| 12 | Phoenix, AZ | $61,270 | $50,087 | $48,480 | 3,230 |
| 13 | Philadelphia, PA | $61,280 | $49,537 | $48,304 | 3,330 |
| 14 | Pittsburgh, PA | $55,880 | $45,364 | $47,918 | 2,760 |
| 15 | Detroit, MI | $59,310 | $47,566 | $47,424 | 7,680 |
| 16 | Minneapolis, MN | $62,070 | $49,356 | $47,085 | 9,420 |
| 17 | Chicago, IL | $59,520 | $47,203 | $45,565 | 11,270 |
| 18 | Atlanta, GA | $56,270 | $45,095 | $45,069 | 2,500 |
| 19 | New York, NY | $62,750 | $49,808 | $44,249 | 4,300 |
| 20 | Indianapolis, IN | $50,610 | $41,382 | $43,243 | 3,540 |
| 21 | Grand Rapids, MI | $50,110 | $40,564 | $42,455 | 3,460 |
| 22 | Los Angeles, CA | $55,660 | $44,790 | $39,440 | 7,850 |
*Take-home pay in U.S.-average dollars (BEA Regional Price Parities).
Highest-paying cities
- Seattle, WA — $74,560
- Boston, MA — $72,060
- Hartford, CT — $64,320
- Virginia Beach, VA — $62,900
- New York, NY — $62,750
- St. Louis, MO — $62,210
- Minneapolis, MN — $62,070
- Houston, TX — $61,280
- Philadelphia, PA — $61,280
- Phoenix, AZ — $61,270
- Milwaukee, WI — $60,320
- Charlotte, NC — $60,210
- Dallas, TX — $59,830
- Chicago, IL — $59,520
- Detroit, MI — $59,310
Machinist salary by state
| State | Median | 1-yr change | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | $84,410 | +9.5% | $63,327 | $55,950 – $106,970 | 260 |
| Alaska | $77,670 | +6.8% | $63,471 | $50,900 – $105,540 | 120 |
| District of Columbia | $72,900 | −28.4% | $56,823 | $56,570 – $98,850 | 160 |
| Massachusetts | $67,270 | +7.8% | $53,011 | $47,910 – $93,330 | 7,080 |
| Washington | $66,160 | +2.6% | $55,340 | $48,360 – $101,110 | 6,880 |
| Oregon | $63,820 | +2.7% | $48,705 | $47,040 – $86,580 | 2,760 |
| New Jersey | $63,190 | +1.9% | $51,010 | $46,170 – $90,740 | 3,210 |
| Wyoming | $63,070 | −1.5% | $52,857 | $37,430 – $91,650 | 290 |
| Vermont | $62,680 | +27.8% | $50,867 | $40,670 – $95,690 | 220 |
| Delaware | $62,650 | +3.9% | $49,719 | $41,710 – $95,660 | 310 |
| Connecticut | $62,130 | +1.7% | $50,231 | $43,900 – $82,630 | 5,240 |
| North Dakota | $61,820 | +6.4% | $51,852 | $47,810 – $80,030 | 560 |
| New Hampshire | $61,500 | +2.7% | $51,595 | $44,720 – $84,080 | 1,620 |
| Virginia | $61,290 | +0.6% | $48,716 | $45,120 – $86,380 | 5,660 |
| Utah | $61,280 | +1.4% | $49,627 | $43,160 – $80,110 | 3,810 |
| Minnesota | $61,140 | +2.1% | $48,672 | $46,550 – $80,380 | 12,500 |
| Louisiana | $61,110 | +4.1% | $49,835 | $39,930 – $84,930 | 4,640 |
| Arizona | $61,080 | +3.5% | $49,940 | $40,290 – $76,610 | 4,330 |
| Montana | $60,920 | −0.5% | $49,023 | $37,940 – $81,810 | 630 |
| New York | $60,920 | +1.2% | $48,437 | $40,560 – $84,440 | 9,400 |
| Colorado | $60,200 | +2.2% | $48,610 | $44,650 – $84,510 | 2,800 |
| Maryland | $59,810 | +2.7% | $47,760 | $42,950 – $81,880 | 1,380 |
| New Mexico | $59,440 | +3.3% | $48,312 | $39,250 – $90,170 | 690 |
| Texas | $59,180 | +5.6% | $49,731 | $38,600 – $83,070 | 21,700 |
| Maine | $59,160 | −4.5% | $46,903 | $45,760 – $78,380 | 1,780 |
| Wisconsin | $59,110 | +13.6% | $47,855 | $40,600 – $76,280 | 12,700 |
| Idaho | $58,810 | +9.4% | $47,425 | $38,450 – $81,920 | 1,070 |
| Missouri | $58,710 | +1.4% | $47,531 | $44,120 – $84,150 | 8,380 |
| Kentucky | $58,660 | +9.4% | $47,378 | $39,070 – $78,020 | 6,040 |
| Illinois | $58,520 | +3.2% | $46,449 | $38,390 – $78,290 | 16,520 |
| South Carolina | $57,970 | +9.3% | $46,438 | $38,270 – $75,650 | 3,790 |
| Ohio | $57,940 | +3.1% | $47,924 | $38,070 – $76,530 | 17,110 |
| Pennsylvania | $57,810 | +10.0% | $46,856 | $39,620 – $77,090 | 12,380 |
| Indiana | $57,800 | +18.2% | $46,947 | $39,400 – $73,500 | 14,320 |
| Rhode Island | $57,760 | −2.9% | $47,041 | $39,720 – $82,400 | 860 |
| Iowa | $57,540 | +7.8% | $46,879 | $44,500 – $71,160 | 2,880 |
| California | $57,190 | +1.7% | $45,908 | $37,440 – $88,280 | 18,950 |
| Florida | $57,140 | +13.0% | $48,092 | $39,870 – $76,220 | 8,400 |
| Nebraska | $55,860 | −3.8% | $45,401 | $39,770 – $88,130 | 1,810 |
| Alabama | $55,560 | +4.2% | $44,309 | $37,770 – $79,380 | 5,170 |
| Mississippi | $55,550 | +10.1% | $45,324 | $34,570 – $76,670 | 1,920 |
| North Carolina | $55,230 | −0.5% | $44,862 | $37,110 – $75,570 | 8,330 |
| Nevada | $53,050 | −4.6% | $44,806 | $39,420 – $77,290 | 900 |
| Georgia | $52,610 | +6.5% | $42,344 | $37,060 – $77,420 | 6,090 |
| Michigan | $52,360 | +4.9% | $42,277 | $38,370 – $75,330 | 20,350 |
| Kansas | $51,220 | +5.6% | $41,277 | $38,240 – $74,920 | 3,870 |
| Arkansas | $51,140 | +4.8% | $41,489 | $37,760 – $78,400 | 2,150 |
| Oklahoma | $51,120 | −1.7% | $41,500 | $36,380 – $70,870 | 4,230 |
| South Dakota | $50,890 | +2.1% | $43,070 | $39,280 – $60,840 | 830 |
| Tennessee | $49,600 | +2.0% | $42,034 | $37,560 – $70,430 | 8,270 |
| West Virginia | $47,350 | −1.3% | $38,823 | $37,300 – $71,980 | 1,700 |
Related jobs
| Job | Median salary | Education | Growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Patternmakers, Metal and Plastic | $58,000 | High school diploma or equivalent | -22.8% |
| Metal-Refining Furnace Operator and Tender | $54,430 | High school diploma or equivalent | -2.9% |
| Model Makers, Metal and Plastic | $63,340 | High school diploma or equivalent | -17.3% |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $53,750 | High school diploma or equivalent | +2.4% |
| Layout Workers, Metal and Plastic | $63,870 | High school diploma or equivalent | -3.4% |
| Tool and Die Maker | $64,050 | Postsecondary nondegree award | -9.2% |
| Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $52,800 | High school diploma or equivalent | -13.2% |
| Pourers and Casters, Metal | $51,810 | High school diploma or equivalent | -5.0% |
| Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $50,620 | High school diploma or equivalent | -11.3% |
| Rolling Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $50,140 | High school diploma or equivalent | -8.3% |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a machinist make?
The national median salary for machinists is $58,750 a year ($28.25 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $39,200 and the top 10% earn over $80,010. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays machinists the most?
Hawaii has the highest median pay at $84,410. After taxes and local prices, Seattle, WA offers the best real take-home pay of any metro area.
How many machinists are there in the U.S.?
About 287,050 people work as machinists nationwide.