Milling and Planing Machine Operator Salary in 2026
How Much Do Milling and Planing Machine Operators Make?
Milling and Planing Machine Operators earn a median annual salary of $48,310 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $36,810 at the 10th percentile to $75,000 at the 90th percentile — a range of $38,190. The highest-paying state is Washington at $83,240.
| Percentile | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $36,810 |
| 25th percentile | $41,650 |
| Median (50th) | $48,310 |
| 75th percentile | $61,290 |
| 90th percentile | $75,000 |
Milling and Planing Machine Operator Salary by State
Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Washingtontop | $83,240 |
| North Dakota | $64,150 |
| Illinois | $64,060 |
| Kansas | $62,570 |
| Maine | $62,290 |
| Connecticut | $61,140 |
| Kentucky | $60,270 |
| Arizona | $60,210 |
| Maryland | $58,540 |
| Nebraska | $57,980 |
| Massachusetts | $57,890 |
| Iowa | $57,300 |
| New York | $55,240 |
| California | $54,960 |
| Nevada | $54,660 |
| Indiana | $54,070 |
| Wisconsin | $53,530 |
| Colorado | $53,030 |
| North Carolina | $51,130 |
| Alabama | $50,640 |
| New Hampshire | $49,190 |
| Pennsylvania | $49,030 |
| Minnesota | $48,790 |
| Ohio | $47,770 |
| New Jersey | $47,170 |
| Virginia | $46,380 |
| Michigan | $46,280 |
| West Virginia | $45,880 |
| Florida | $45,410 |
| Utah | $45,000 |
| Tennessee | $43,930 |
| Oklahoma | $41,600 |
| Texas | $41,140 |
| South Carolina | $39,680 |
| Missouri | $38,330 |
| Mississippi | $37,890 |
| Arkansas | $37,600 |
| Georgia | $37,160 |
Highest-Paying Metros for Milling and Planing Machine Operators
Milling and Planing Machine Operator 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) | ~$36,810 – $41,650 |
| Mid career (3–7 yrs) | ~$48,310 |
| Experienced (8–15 yrs) | ~$61,290 |
| Senior (15+ yrs) | $75,000+ |
How to Earn More as a Milling and Planing Machine Operator
Location is the single biggest salary lever: Milling and Planing Machine Operators in Washington earn $83,240 — $34,930 above the national median. Union membership, additional certifications, and supervisory experience are the most reliable paths to higher earnings in this field. Reaching the 75th percentile ($61,290) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.
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Milling and Planing Machine Operator Salary vs Similar Careers
| Career | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Milling and Planing Machine Operatorthis career | $48,310 |
| Industrial Machinery Mechanics | $63,760 |
| Extruding and Drawing Machine Operator | $46,980 |
| Forging Machine Operator | $49,240 |
| Rolling Machine Operator | $48,630 |
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SOC: 51-4035.00 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.