Machinist Salary in 2026
How Much Do Machinists Make?
Machinists earn a median annual salary of $56,150 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $38,100 at the 10th percentile to $78,760 at the 90th percentile — a range of $40,660. The highest-paying state is District of Columbia at $101,810.
| Percentile | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $38,100 |
| 25th percentile | $46,250 |
| Median (50th) | $56,150 |
| 75th percentile | $64,910 |
| 90th percentile | $78,760 |
Machinist Salary by State
Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbiatop | $101,810 |
| Hawaii | $77,060 |
| Alaska | $72,710 |
| Washington | $64,510 |
| Wyoming | $64,020 |
| Massachusetts | $62,420 |
| Oregon | $62,120 |
| New Jersey | $62,010 |
| Maine | $61,950 |
| Montana | $61,230 |
| Connecticut | $61,090 |
| Virginia | $60,920 |
| Utah | $60,450 |
| Delaware | $60,320 |
| New York | $60,220 |
| New Hampshire | $59,910 |
| Minnesota | $59,860 |
| Rhode Island | $59,490 |
| Arizona | $59,020 |
| Colorado | $58,890 |
| Louisiana | $58,710 |
| Maryland | $58,240 |
| North Dakota | $58,110 |
| Nebraska | $58,060 |
| Missouri | $57,920 |
| New Mexico | $57,520 |
| Illinois | $56,700 |
| California | $56,220 |
| Ohio | $56,200 |
| Texas | $56,040 |
| Nevada | $55,580 |
| North Carolina | $55,520 |
| Idaho | $53,760 |
| Kentucky | $53,630 |
| Iowa | $53,400 |
| Alabama | $53,320 |
| South Carolina | $53,040 |
| Pennsylvania | $52,560 |
| Wisconsin | $52,030 |
| Oklahoma | $51,980 |
| Florida | $50,570 |
| Mississippi | $50,460 |
| Michigan | $49,930 |
| South Dakota | $49,830 |
| Georgia | $49,420 |
| Vermont | $49,040 |
| Indiana | $48,910 |
| Arkansas | $48,820 |
| Tennessee | $48,610 |
| Kansas | $48,490 |
| West Virginia | $47,980 |
Highest-Paying Metros for Machinists
Machinist Salary by Experience
Estimated salary ranges derived from BLS wage percentiles. Entry level corresponds to P10–P25, mid-career to the median, experienced to P75, and senior to P90+.
| Experience level | Estimated salary |
|---|---|
| Entry level (0–2 yrs) | ~$38,100 – $46,250 |
| Mid career (3–7 yrs) | ~$56,150 |
| Experienced (8–15 yrs) | ~$64,910 |
| Senior (15+ yrs) | $78,760+ |
How to Earn More as a Machinist
Location is the single biggest salary lever: Machinists in District of Columbia earn $101,810 — $45,660 above the national median. Earning an additional certification or completing a bachelor's degree can push your salary from the median toward the 75th percentile. Reaching the 75th percentile ($64,910) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.
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Machinist Salary vs Similar Careers
| Career | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Machinistthis career | $56,150 |
| Industrial Machinery Mechanics | $63,760 |
| Millwright | $65,170 |
| Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assembler | $61,680 |
| Electrical and Electronic Equipment Assembler | N/A |
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SOC: 51-4041.00 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.