Machinist Salary in 2026
Set up and operate machine tools to produce precision metal parts and instruments.
Median Salary
$52,000
$4,333/mo
Entry Level
$35,000
starting pay
Senior Level
$72,000
experienced
Job Growth
+2%
10-yr outlook
Machinist Overview
Set up and operate machine tools to produce precision metal parts and instruments.
Education
Certificate/Associate's
Experience
2-4 years
Industry
Trades
Total Jobs (US)
310K
5-Year Growth
+3%
Category
Trades
Hourly Rate
$25.00/hr
Monthly Pay
$4,333
Machinist Salary Calculator
Adjust your state and experience level to see the estimated Machinist salary in your area.
Mid Career (5-9 yrs)
Estimated Machinist Salary
$59,000
$4,917/month · $2,269/biweekly · $28.37/hr
Machinist Salary Range
Salary distribution from entry-level to top earners in the Machinist field.
Entry-level Machinists earn around $35,000, while the top 10% earn $80,000 or more.
Top Paying States for Machinists
| State | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| California | $61,000 | +$9,000 |
| Texas | $51,000 | $-1,000 |
| Michigan | $49,000 | $-3,000 |
| Ohio | $49,000 | $-3,000 |
| Wisconsin | $49,000 | $-3,000 |
Top Paying Cities for Machinists
| City | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles | $58,000 | +$6,000 |
| Houston | $51,000 | $-1,000 |
| Milwaukee | $50,000 | $-2,000 |
| Detroit | $49,000 | $-3,000 |
| Cleveland | $48,000 | $-4,000 |
Required Skills & Certifications
Key Skills
Certifications
Machinist Career Progression
Typical salary growth path for a Machinist from entry level to expert.
$35,000
0-2 years
$54,000
3-7 years
$72,000
8-14 years
$88,000
15+ years
Related Trades Jobs
Machinist Salary FAQ
Methodology & Data Sources — Machinist Salary
How we calculate Machinist salary data: Our figures combine BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) for the national salary baseline, adjusted by cost-of-living multipliers from the C2ER Cost of Living Index. State-level estimates use BLS regional wage survey data weighted by occupation employment counts. We calibrate entry/senior/top-level tiers against BLS percentile distributions (P10, P25, P75, P90) for this occupation.
- National median salary: $52,000 — sourced from BLS OEWS for SOC code corresponding to Machinist in the Trades sector.
- Entry-level ($35,000) and senior-level ($72,000) figures reflect BLS P25 and P75 percentile wage estimates adjusted for experience.
- Job outlook: +2% projected growth through 2034, from BLS Employment Projections program. Approximately 310K total positions nationwide.
- 5-year salary growth: 3% over the past 5 years, derived from BLS Employment Cost Index for Trades sector wages.
- Education requirement: Certificate/Associate's, per BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook entry for this occupation.
- State-level estimates use BLS regional CPI-U data and OEWS metropolitan area wage surveys, normalized to the national median of $52,000.
Authoritative US data sources for Machinist compensation:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) — national and metro-area salary data
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook — Machinist job projections, education, and career outlook
- BLS Employment Projections — 10-year occupation growth and decline data
- BLS Employment Cost Index — quarterly compensation trend data for Trades
- BLS Consumer Price Index (CPI-U) — regional inflation for cost-of-living wage adjustments
- IRS Revenue Procedure 2025-32 summary — 2026 federal tax brackets and standard deductions
Disclaimer: Machinist salary figures are statistical estimates for general guidance. Actual compensation depends on employer, location, negotiation, specific skills (CNC Programming, Blueprint Reading, Precision Measurement), certifications, and industry conditions. Always verify with multiple sources including current job listings, recruiter data, and direct employer offers before making career decisions.
Reviewed by Brazora Monk · Last updated 2026 · BLS data current as of latest OEWS annual release
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