Machinist Salary in Rockford, IL
Machinists in the Rockford, IL metro area earn a median $49,700 a year — 15% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $39,799 take-home, or $3,317 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median machinist salary in Rockford, IL. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$3,784
- Social Security (6.2%)$3,081
- Medicare (1.45%)$721
- Illinois income tax$2,315
- Take-home pay$39,799
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 4.95% state
Machinist pay by experience in Rockford, IL
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,750 | $17.67 | $30,034 | $2,503 |
| 25th percentile | $45,120 | $21.69 | $36,345 | $3,029 |
| Median (50th) | $49,700 | $23.89 | $39,799 | $3,317 |
| 75th percentile | $62,740 | $30.16 | $49,631 | $4,136 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $72,420 | $34.82 | $56,337 | $4,695 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Illinois resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $49,700 buys in Rockford, IL
Prices in Rockford, IL are 7.8% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 30% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median machinist's $39,799 take-home pay has the buying power of $43,187 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Rockford, IL has 7.1× the national concentration of machinist jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for machinists, adjusted for cost of living
Rockford, IL ranks #106 of 115 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Baton Rouge, LA | $67,700 | $54,812 | $60,379 |
| 2 | New Orleans, LA | $66,990 | $54,334 | $58,678 |
| 3 | St. Cloud, MN | $62,230 | $49,474 | $56,456 |
| 4 | Kingsport, TN | $57,890 | $48,695 | $56,329 |
| 5 | Davenport, IA | $61,710 | $50,071 | $56,209 |
| 6 | Lafayette, LA | $59,830 | $48,845 | $56,009 |
| 7 | Toledo, OH | $62,190 | $51,222 | $56,008 |
| 8 | Beaumont, TX | $59,800 | $50,229 | $55,782 |
| 106 | Rockford, IL | $49,700 | $39,799 | $43,187 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 115 metros →
Machinist salaries elsewhere in Illinois
- Chicago, IL — $59,520
- Peoria, IL — $51,680
Frequently asked questions
How much does a machinist make in Rockford, IL?
The median machinist salary in the Rockford, IL metro area is $49,700 a year, or about $23.89 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $45,120 and $62,740.
What is a machinist’s take-home pay in Rockford, IL?
On the median $49,700 salary, a single filer living in Illinois takes home about $39,799 a year ($3,317 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $2,315 in Illinois taxes in 2026.
Is Rockford, IL a good place to work as a machinist?
Pay here is 15% below the national median of $58,750. Local prices are 7.8% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $43,187 would in a typical U.S. city. Rockford, IL ranks #106 of 115 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a machinist afford rent in Rockford, IL?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Rockford, IL is $895 a month ($1,175 for two bedrooms) — 27% of a median machinist’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Rockford, IL
- First-Line Supervisor of Production and Operating Workers — $74,280
- Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers — $50,200
- Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator — $46,780
- Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers — $46,240
- Miscellaneous Assembler and Fabricator — $45,670
- Packaging and Filling Machine Operator and Tender — $40,990