SOC 514041

Machinists

Set up and operate a variety of machine tools to produce precision parts and instruments out of metal. Includes precision instrument makers who fabricate, modify, or repair mechanical instruments. 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).

National Median

$56,150

per year

National Salary Overview

Median Annual

$56,150

Entry Level (10th pct)

$38,100

Experienced (90th pct)

$78,760

Total Employed

298,790

Salary Distribution

Salary percentiles show the range from entry-level (10th) to top earners (90th)

Salary by Experience Level

Experience Level	Estimated Salary Range
Entry Level0-2 years experience	$38,100 - $46,250
Mid Career2-8 years experience	$46,250 - $64,910
Senior / Expert8+ years experience	$64,910 - $78,760

Highest Paying Locations for Machinists

District of Columbia

$101,810

+81.3% vs national

Northern New Mexico nonmetropolitan area

$85,530

+52.3% vs national

Bloomington, IL

$81,240

+44.7% vs national

Florence-Muscle Shoals, AL

$80,150

+42.7% vs national

Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA

$78,580

+39.9% vs national

Machinists Salary by Location

Compare salaries across 50 metropolitan areas

Metropolitan Area	Median Salary	Employed
District of Columbia	$101,810	230
Northern New Mexico nonmetropolitan area	$85,530	N/A
Bloomington, IL	$81,240	70
Florence-Muscle Shoals, AL	$80,150	150
Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA	$78,580	320
Urban Honolulu, HI	$77,060	280
Hawaii	$77,060	290
Eastern Wyoming nonmetropolitan area	$76,510	80
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV	$74,780	950
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA	$73,790	4,270
Anchorage, AK	$73,130	60
Alaska	$72,710	140
Central New Hampshire nonmetropolitan area	$68,520	290
Wasatch Front Fringe Utah nonmetropolitan area	$67,320	210
Rome, GA	$67,160	70
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA	$66,320	2,000
Toledo, OH	$65,840	990
Grand Island, NE	$65,250	100
Lake Charles, LA	$64,680	180
Warner Robins, GA	$64,670	120
Flagstaff, AZ	$64,600	50
Eastern Sierra-Mother Lode Region of California nonmetropolitan area	$64,510	40
Washington	$64,510	6,980
Alaska nonmetropolitan area	$64,450	70
Bozeman, MT	$64,420	60
Monroe, MI	$64,390	380
Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA	$64,200	130
Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY	$64,080	560
Wyoming	$64,020	300
Kennewick-Richland, WA	$64,000	140
Amherst Town-Northampton, MA	$63,970	150
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA	$63,650	2,430
Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH	$63,600	5,210
Corpus Christi, TX	$63,400	310
Portland-South Portland, ME	$63,150	1,030
Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT	$62,950	3,080
Norwich-New London-Willimantic, CT	$62,890	540
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA	$62,870	1,830
Missoula, MT	$62,780	40
Fayetteville, NC	$62,590	110
Boulder, CO	$62,440	290
East-Central Montana nonmetropolitan area	$62,440	50
Massachusetts	$62,420	7,870
Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA	$62,350	2,470
New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ	$62,320	4,460
Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC	$62,300	630
St. Joseph, MO-KS	$62,160	100
Oregon	$62,120	3,220
New Jersey	$62,010	3,530
Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA	$61,970	240

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average salary for a Machinists?

The national median annual salary for Machinists is $56,150, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data. This means half of workers in this occupation earn more, and half earn less.

Where do Machinistss earn the most?

The highest-paying metro area for Machinistss is District of Columbia, with a median salary of $101,810.

How much can an experienced Machinists make?

Top-earning Machinistss (90th percentile) make $78,760 or more annually. This typically reflects workers with significant experience, specialized skills, or positions in high-paying regions.