State medians come from the same OEWS release as the national figures. The cost-of-living column divides each state median by that state's BEA Regional Price Parity, restating pay in national-average dollars so a high-cost state and a low-cost one can be compared directly.
Machinist Salary (2026): Data, Outlook & How to Become One
Machinists earn a median of $58,750 per year ($28.24/hr) (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Employment is projected to grow 0.0% through 2034, with about 29,500 openings a year (BLS EP, 2024–2034). Typical entry-level education: High school diploma or equivalent.
SOC 51-4041ProductionLast updated August 15, 2026
- Median pay
- $58,750
- Projected growth
- 0.0%
- Openings a year
- 29,500
- Typical education
- High school
BLS OEWS, May 2025
BLS EP, 2024–2034
BLS EP, 2024–2034
BLS EP, 2024–2034
Also advertised as: CNC Machinist (Computer Numeric Controlled Machinist), CNC Machinist (Computer Numerically Controlled Machinist), Gear Machinist, Machine Repair Person, Machinist, Maintenance Machinist.
How much do Machinists make?
10th percentile$39,200
Entry / lowest-paid tenth
25th percentile$47,570
Lower quartile
Median (50th)$58,750
Half earn more, half earn less
75th percentile$67,700
Upper quartile
90th percentile$80,010
Top-paid tenth
| Median annual wage | $58,750 |
|---|---|
| Median hourly wage | $28.24/hr |
| Mean annual wage | $59,320 |
| People employed | 287,050 |
Versus all US occupations
At $58,750, Machinists earn 15% above the $50,980 median across all US occupations, a difference of $7,770 a year.
Versus production occupations
Inside the Production group, where the middle occupation pays $47,920, this is 23% above the group median.
Pay range
The top 10% earn $80,010 or more while the bottom 10% earn $39,200, a gap of 2.0×. That is a typical spread for a US occupation.
Rank in the bank
This median pays more than 40% of the 923 occupations in the NueCareer career bank.
Highest-paying state
Hawaii pays the most at $84,410, and still leads at $76,771 once local prices are taken into account.
Which states pay Machinists the most?
| State | Median | COL-adjusted | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | $84,410 | $76,771 | 260 |
| Alaska | $77,670 | $75,880 | 120 |
| District of Columbia | $72,900 | $66,332 | 160 |
| Massachusetts | $67,270 | $63,608 | 7,080 |
| Washington | $66,160 | $61,824 | 6,880 |
| Oregon | $63,820 | $61,745 | 2,760 |
| New Jersey | $63,190 | $58,076 | 3,210 |
| Wyoming | $63,070 | $68,043 | 290 |
| Vermont | $62,680 | $63,987 | 220 |
| Delaware | $62,650 | $62,771 | 310 |
Is Machinist a growing career?
Machinists0.0%
All US occupations3.1%
0.0% projected growth vs 3.1% for all occupations.
Slower than average
BLS projects employment of Machinists to change 0.0% over 2024–2034, against 3.1% projected for all occupations. That is 0 more jobs.
Annual openings
About 29,500 openings are projected each year, 9.8% of the 299,500 jobs that existed in 2024. Most come from workers leaving the occupation, not from growth alone.
Overall employment of machinists and tool and die makers is projected to grow 2 percent from 2024 to 2034, decline.
Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
Projected employment of machinists and tool and die makers varies by occupation (see table).
Although machinists will be required to set up, monitor, and maintain systems, such as computer numerically controlled (CNC) machine tools, autoloaders, and high-speed machining, their employment growth is expected to be limited as improvements in these technologies increase these workers’ efficiency over the projections decade.
How to become a Machinist
Although machinists typically need a high school diploma to enter the occupation, tool and die makers also may need to complete postsecondary courses. Machinists and tool and die makers typically are trained on the job. Some learn through training or apprenticeship programs, vocational schools, or community and technical colleges.
| Typical entry-level education | High school diploma or equivalent |
|---|---|
| Preparation needed (O*NET job zone) | Some preparation |
| Work experience in a related occupation | None |
| Typical on-the-job training | Long-term on-the-job training |
What education people in the job have
O*NET incumbent survey: the highest level of education reported by people already working as machinists.
- High School Diploma35.9%
- Post-Secondary Certificate33.1%
- Some College Courses17.3%
- Less than a High School Diploma13.6%
What does a Machinist do?
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 and tool and die makers set up and operate a variety of computer-controlled and mechanically controlled equipment to produce precision metal parts, instruments, and tools.
Day-to-day tasks
- Calculate dimensions or tolerances, using instruments, such as micrometers or vernier calipers.
- Machine parts to specifications, using machine tools, such as lathes, milling machines, shapers, or grinders.
- Maintain machine tools in proper operational condition.
- Set up, adjust, or operate basic or specialized machine tools used to perform precision machining operations.
- Measure, examine, or test completed units to check for defects and ensure conformance to specifications, using precision instruments, such as micrometers.
- Align and secure holding fixtures, cutting tools, attachments, accessories, or materials onto machines.
- Monitor the feed and speed of machines during the machining process.
- Diagnose machine tool malfunctions to determine need for adjustments or repairs.
O*NET core tasks, ordered by reported importance.
Where machinists work
| Fabricated metal product manufacturing | 34% |
|---|---|
| Machinery manufacturing | 21% |
| Transportation equipment manufacturing | 13% |
| Wholesale trade | 4% |
| Employment services | 3% |
BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2024–2034 edition.
Core skills
- Critical Thinking3.1/5
- Monitoring3.1/5
- Active Listening3.0/5
- Speaking3.0/5
- Reading Comprehension2.9/5
- Mathematics2.9/5
- Active Learning2.8/5
- Writing2.5/5
Transferable skills
- Operation and Control3.3/5
- Operations Monitoring3.1/5
- Coordination3.0/5
- Complex Problem Solving3.0/5
- Troubleshooting3.0/5
- Quality Control Analysis3.0/5
- Social Perceptiveness2.9/5
- Equipment Maintenance2.9/5
Tools and software
- Computer aided design CAD software · in demand
- Computer aided manufacturing CAM software · in demand
- Electronic mail software · in demand
- Enterprise resource planning ERP software · in demand
- Office suite software · in demand
- Presentation software · in demand
- Spreadsheet software · in demand
- Word processing software · in demand
- Analytical or scientific software
- Industrial control software
- Object or component oriented development software
- Procedure management software
“In demand” marks an O*NET Employer-Based Hot Technology, software named in real job postings for this occupation.
What personality type suits a Machinist?
Interest profile: O*NET Occupational Interests, scored 1–7
Realisticprimary7.0
Investigativeprimary3.7
Artistic1.9
Social1.2
Enterprising1.2
Conventionalprimary4.4
Day to day this is work built around hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors, combined with organising, following procedures and working precisely with data.
Closest MBTI types
NueCareer fit scores: cosine similarity between each MBTI type's interest vector and this occupation's O*NET interest profile. Not a BLS or O*NET figure; the method is documented on our methodology page.
Machinist: frequently asked questions
How much do Machinists make?
Machinists earn a median of $58,750 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025), 15% above the $50,980 US median across all occupations. That works out at $28.24/hr. The middle half earn between $47,570 and $67,700. The top 10% earn $80,010 or more.
Do you need a degree to become a Machinist?
No. A bachelor's degree is not the norm: BLS reports a high school diploma or equivalent as the typical entry-level education for Machinists. BLS also lists long-term on-the-job training as typical on-the-job training. In O*NET's survey of people already doing the job, 35.9% hold high school diploma.
Is Machinist a growing career?
It is growing, but slowly: 0.0% over 2024–2034 against 3.1% for all occupations (BLS EP, 2024–2034). BLS still projects about 29,500 openings a year, mostly from workers retiring or moving to other work.
What does a Machinist do?
Machinists and tool and die makers set up and operate a variety of computer-controlled and mechanically controlled equipment to produce precision metal parts, instruments, and tools. A core O*NET task: calculate dimensions or tolerances, using instruments, such as micrometers or vernier calipers. Employers most often ask for Computer aided design CAD software, Computer aided manufacturing CAM software, Electronic mail software.
Which states pay Machinists the most?
The highest state medians for Machinists are Hawaii ($84,410), Alaska ($77,670), District of Columbia ($72,900) (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
What personality type suits a Machinist?
O*NET scores Machinists highest on the Realistic, Conventional and Investigative interest areas, so the work mixes hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors with organising, following procedures and working precisely with data. On NueCareer's MBTI-to-interest mapping that lines up most closely with ISTJ personalities. Personality is a fit signal, not a gate. The free NueCareer quiz scores your own profile against all 923 occupations in the bank.