Machinist Salary in Tucson, AZ
Machinists in the Tucson, AZ metro area earn a median $55,700 a year — 5% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $45,751 take-home, or $3,813 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median machinist salary in Tucson, AZ. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$4,504
- Social Security (6.2%)$3,453
- Medicare (1.45%)$808
- Arizona income tax$1,184
- Take-home pay$45,751
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 2.50% state
Machinist pay by experience in Tucson, AZ
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,220 | $18.38 | $32,143 | $2,679 |
| 25th percentile | $47,730 | $22.95 | $39,547 | $3,296 |
| Median (50th) | $55,700 | $26.78 | $45,751 | $3,813 |
| 75th percentile | $62,670 | $30.13 | $51,177 | $4,265 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $74,280 | $35.71 | $59,438 | $4,953 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Arizona resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $55,700 buys in Tucson, AZ
Prices in Tucson, AZ are 3.1% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 8% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median machinist's $45,751 take-home pay has the buying power of $47,217 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Machinist jobs are about as common in Tucson, AZ as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.82).
Best-paying cities for machinists, adjusted for cost of living
Tucson, AZ ranks #73 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 |
| 73 | Tucson, AZ | $55,700 | $45,751 | $47,217 |
*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 Arizona
- Phoenix, AZ — $61,270
Frequently asked questions
How much does a machinist make in Tucson, AZ?
The median machinist salary in the Tucson, AZ metro area is $55,700 a year, or about $26.78 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $47,730 and $62,670.
What is a machinist’s take-home pay in Tucson, AZ?
On the median $55,700 salary, a single filer living in Arizona takes home about $45,751 a year ($3,813 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,184 in Arizona taxes in 2026.
Is Tucson, AZ a good place to work as a machinist?
Pay here is 5% below the national median of $58,750. Local prices are 3.1% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $47,217 would in a typical U.S. city. Tucson, AZ ranks #73 of 115 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a machinist afford rent in Tucson, AZ?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Tucson, AZ is $1,081 a month ($1,402 for two bedrooms) — 28% of a median machinist’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Tucson, AZ
- Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers — $73,930
- First-Line Supervisor of Production and Operating Workers — $70,260
- Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers — $59,080
- Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers — $51,150
- Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers — $45,540
- Miscellaneous Assembler and Fabricator — $41,330
- Baker — $37,590
- Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Worker — $34,450