Machinists Salary
Salary data across 60 metro areas in the US & CanadaUSD & CAD
Search Jobs on IndeedAvg Median Salary
$49,700
Highest Paying City
San Jose
$72,000
Cities Tracked
60
What Do Machinists Do?
Machinists play a key role in the manufacturing process by setting up, operating, and maintaining production equipment. Their skills help ensure that goods are produced efficiently, safely, and to specification.
Most work in manufacturing plants and factories. The work can be repetitive and physically demanding, requiring standing for long periods and operating heavy machinery. Shift work, including nights and weekends, is common.
Key Skills for Machinists
Education Requirements
High school diploma; on-the-job training or technical certification
Most positions require a high school diploma with on-the-job training. Skilled trades like machinists and tool and die makers may require apprenticeships or postsecondary technical training. CNC programming roles benefit from formal certification.
Career Outlook
Employment is projected to decline slightly in some areas due to automation, though skilled positions like CNC operators and quality inspectors remain in demand.
How to Increase Your Machinists Salary
- 1.Learn CNC programming and computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) software
- 2.Earn certifications in quality control (Six Sigma, ISO standards)
- 3.Develop skills in robotics and automation technology
- 4.Pursue training in multiple production processes for versatility
- 5.Stay current with manufacturing technology and safety standards
Machinists Salary by City
| City | Median | Average | Range (10th-90th) | Currency | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose, CA | $72,000 | $77,000 | $43,000 - $94,000 | USD | Apply |
| San Francisco, CA | $69,000 | $74,000 | $45,000 - $87,000 | USD | Apply |
| Seattle, WA | $63,000 | $68,000 | $41,000 - $80,000 | USD | Apply |
| Boston, MA | $63,000 | $67,000 | $41,000 - $80,000 | USD | Apply |
| New York, NY | $62,000 | $69,000 | $40,000 - $78,000 | USD | Apply |
| Washington DC, DC | $62,000 | $67,000 | $40,000 - $78,000 | USD | Apply |
| Los Angeles, CA | $60,000 | $63,000 | $39,000 - $76,000 | USD | Apply |
| San Diego, CA | $58,000 | $64,000 | $38,000 - $73,000 | USD | Apply |
| Philadelphia, PA | $55,000 | $61,000 | $36,000 - $69,000 | USD | Apply |
| Baltimore, MD | $55,000 | $58,000 | $36,000 - $69,000 | USD | Apply |
| Honolulu, HI | $55,000 | $60,000 | $36,000 - $69,000 | USD | Apply |
| Denver, CO | $54,000 | $60,000 | $35,000 - $68,000 | USD | Apply |
| Hartford, CT | $54,000 | $59,000 | $35,000 - $68,000 | USD | Apply |
| Anchorage, AK | $54,000 | $57,000 | $35,000 - $68,000 | USD | Apply |
| Minneapolis, MN | $53,000 | $56,000 | $34,000 - $67,000 | USD | Apply |
| Austin, TX | $53,000 | $54,000 | $34,000 - $67,000 | USD | Apply |
| Portland, OR | $53,000 | $58,000 | $34,000 - $67,000 | USD | Apply |
| Sacramento, CA | $53,000 | $56,000 | $34,000 - $67,000 | USD | Apply |
| Chicago, IL | $51,000 | $55,000 | $33,000 - $64,000 | USD | Apply |
| Dallas, TX | $51,000 | $54,000 | $33,000 - $64,000 | USD | Apply |
| Houston, TX | $51,000 | $52,000 | $33,000 - $64,000 | USD | Apply |
| Atlanta, GA | $51,000 | $54,000 | $33,000 - $64,000 | USD | Apply |
| Raleigh, NC | $50,000 | $51,000 | $32,000 - $63,000 | USD | Apply |
| Salt Lake City, UT | $50,000 | $53,000 | $32,000 - $63,000 | USD | Apply |
| Richmond, VA | $50,000 | $52,000 | $32,000 - $63,000 | USD | Apply |
| Phoenix, AZ | $49,000 | $50,000 | $32,000 - $62,000 | USD | Apply |
| Detroit, MI | $49,000 | $52,000 | $32,000 - $62,000 | USD | Apply |
| Columbus, OH | $49,000 | $54,000 | $32,000 - $62,000 | USD | Apply |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $49,000 | $51,000 | $32,000 - $62,000 | USD | Apply |
| Miami, FL | $48,000 | $49,000 | $31,000 - $61,000 | USD | Apply |
| Nashville, TN | $48,000 | $53,000 | $31,000 - $61,000 | USD | Apply |
| Charlotte, NC | $48,000 | $51,000 | $31,000 - $61,000 | USD | Apply |
| Indianapolis, IN | $48,000 | $52,000 | $31,000 - $61,000 | USD | Apply |
| St. Louis, MO | $48,000 | $53,000 | $31,000 - $61,000 | USD | Apply |
| Kansas City, MO | $48,000 | $51,000 | $31,000 - $61,000 | USD | Apply |
| Tampa, FL | $47,000 | $52,000 | $31,000 - $59,000 | USD | Apply |
| Cincinnati, OH | $47,000 | $52,000 | $31,000 - $59,000 | USD | Apply |
| Milwaukee, WI | $47,000 | $52,000 | $31,000 - $59,000 | USD | Apply |
| Jacksonville, FL | $47,000 | $48,000 | $31,000 - $59,000 | USD | Apply |
| Buffalo, NY | $47,000 | $49,000 | $31,000 - $59,000 | USD | Apply |
| Las Vegas, NV | $46,000 | $48,000 | $30,000 - $58,000 | USD | Apply |
| San Antonio, TX | $46,000 | $47,000 | $30,000 - $58,000 | USD | Apply |
| Cleveland, OH | $46,000 | $47,000 | $30,000 - $58,000 | USD | Apply |
| Louisville, KY | $46,000 | $51,000 | $30,000 - $58,000 | USD | Apply |
| New Orleans, LA | $46,000 | $48,000 | $30,000 - $58,000 | USD | Apply |
| Tucson, AZ | $46,000 | $47,000 | $30,000 - $58,000 | USD | Apply |
| Toronto, ON | $46,000 | $49,000 | $30,000 - $58,000 | CAD | Apply |
| Vancouver, BC | $46,000 | $48,000 | $30,000 - $58,000 | CAD | Apply |
| Orlando, FL | $45,000 | $46,000 | $31,000 - $55,000 | USD | Apply |
| Oklahoma City, OK | $45,000 | $47,000 | $31,000 - $55,000 | USD | Apply |
| Memphis, TN | $45,000 | $47,000 | $31,000 - $55,000 | USD | Apply |
| Birmingham, AL | $44,000 | $49,000 | $31,000 - $54,000 | USD | Apply |
| Ottawa, ON | $43,000 | $46,000 | $30,000 - $53,000 | CAD | Apply |
| Calgary, AB | $43,000 | $45,000 | $30,000 - $53,000 | CAD | Apply |
| Edmonton, AB | $43,000 | $48,000 | $30,000 - $53,000 | CAD | Apply |
| Montreal, QC | $38,000 | $40,000 | $27,000 - $47,000 | CAD | Apply |
| Hamilton, ON | $38,000 | $41,000 | $27,000 - $47,000 | CAD | Apply |
| Winnipeg, MB | $37,000 | $40,000 | $26,000 - $45,000 | CAD | Apply |
| Halifax, NS | $37,000 | $40,000 | $26,000 - $45,000 | CAD | Apply |
| Quebec City, QC | $35,000 | $37,000 | $24,000 - $43,000 | CAD | Apply |