Machinists Salary
The median machinists salary in the United States is $58,750 per year ($28.24/hour). Salaries range from $39,200 at the entry level to $80,010+ for the top 10% of earners. There are 287,050 machinists jobs nationwide. Employment is projected to grow 0% through 2034.
Last updated: June 2026 Β· Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Salary Distribution
Job Growth (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
Education Required
Training Needed
Machinists Career Guide
Interview questions, resume templates, and a career ladder written specifically for machinistss.
Machinists produce precision metal parts using manual machines (lathes, mills, grinders) and CNC (Computer Numerical Control) equipment. Career splits: general job shop (variety of parts + customers), aerospace + defense (Boeing, Lockheed, Raytheon, Northrop β precision + high-quality standards), medical device (implants + surgical instruments), automotive (production machining), toolmaker (specialty β dies + molds), CNC programmer (higher pay). Path: high school + machinist training (community college associate's, technical school certificate, or 4-year apprenticeship). Median compensation: entry $38-52k; skilled CNC machinist $52-78k; CNC programmer + toolmaker $65-95k; specialty (aerospace, medical, nuclear) $75-115k+; shop foreman $75-115k; shop owner $100-500k+ depending on scale. Aerospace + medical device + nuclear machining pay best. Union shops pay 25-40% more with strong benefits + pension.
Core Skills Hiring Managers Screen For
How to Become a Machinists
- 1High school diploma + prerequisites (math, blueprint reading, shop class)Strong math + measurement foundation required.
- 2Machinist training (community college + technical school + apprenticeship)Community college AAS $3-15k. Technical school $5-25k. Apprenticeship earn-while-you-learn (3-4 years).
- 3First job: entry machinist (job shop or manufacturer)Prove basic skills. Learn shop workflow + tooling.
- 4Learn CNC programming + advanced machinesCAM software + 5-axis + Swiss-style + turning centers. Higher pay + skill.
- 5Get certifications (NIMS + AWS)National Institute for Metalworking Skills (NIMS) certifications + AWS-related.
- 6Move to specialty (aerospace, medical, nuclear, toolmaking)Specialty commands 30-70% premium. Aerospace + medical + nuclear highest-paying.
- 7Advance to CNC programmer + Sr Machinist + Toolmaker + ForemanCareer progression from craft to programming + management + specialty.
- 8Optional: Start own machine shopOwnership path. High capital + business + client acquisition requirements.
Career Progression
- β’Basic machining under supervision
- β’Learning tools + machines
- β’Assist skilled machinists
- β’Independent CNC operation
- β’Setup + programming
- β’Multi-machine capability
- β’CNC programming + post-processing
- β’Complex + tight-tolerance work
- β’Mentor apprentices
- β’Precision + high-quality work
- β’Complex programming + setup
- β’Quality-critical parts
- β’Multi-machine + team oversight
- β’Complex programming + setup
- β’Quality + production management
- β’Full business or engineering ownership
- β’Multi-shop + team management
- β’Business development + client acquisition
Interview Questions & Answers
5 free questions below. Career Kit unlocks 11 total plus resume bullets for every level.
Q1. Tell me about your machinist experience.situational
Q2. How do you set up a new job for CNC machining?technical
Q3. Tell me about a difficult part you machined.behavioral
Q4. Why our shop / company?culture
Q5. How do you handle a part that fails inspection?situational
Resume Template β Journeyman CNC Machinist (3-6 yrs)
Copy these bullets into your resume as a starting point. Career Kit includes bullets for every level of the ladder.
- βΈCNC Machinist, [Company], 4 years operating 3-axis + 5-axis Haas + Mazak mills + lathes.
- βΈNIMS Level 1 + Level 2 CNC Machining + CNC Programming certifications.
- βΈZero scrap defects during 3 consecutive quality audits at [Company].
- βΈCertified in Mastercam + Fusion 360 CAM software. Bilingual English + Spanish.
What Gets You Rejected
- βWeak measurement + blueprint reading.
- βPoor CNC programming or CAM skills.
- βHistory of scrap or quality issues without correction.
- βMissing key certifications for level of role.
- βBad-mouthing prior shop or supervisors.
- βWeak safety awareness.
- βSubstance abuse concerns.
Salary Negotiation Levers
- βHourly rate + specialty + certifications.
- βUnion vs non-union β union pays 25-40% more + strong pension + benefits.
- βSign-on bonus $500-5,000 in specialty + high-demand areas.
- βOvertime + weekend premium.
- βSpecialty pay (aerospace, medical, nuclear + toolmaking).
- βCertifications support (NIMS + CNC + programming).
- βFull benefits (health, dental, retirement) via union pension fund.
- βCareer path to programmer + foreman + shop owner.
- βTool allowance $500-2,000/year at some shops.
Machinists Resume Review β $29
Personalized resume review from someone who has hired machinistss. Purchase, email your resume to support@weblabra.com, and receive detailed written feedback within 7 days.
- β Occupation-specific critique (not generic)
- β Rewrite suggestions for weak bullets
- β Missing skills / keywords flagged
- β Formatting + ATS-readability feedback
- β 7-day turnaround, 100% refund if we miss it
Machinists Career Kit β $19
- β All 11 interview questions with expert answers
- β 10 real questions aggregated from Glassdoor, Blind, Reddit, LinkedIn
- β Interview format intel for 8 top employers
- β 3 copy-paste salary negotiation emails
- β Resume bullets for every level of the career ladder
- β 30β60β90 day plan for your first role
- β Cover letter templates specific to this occupation
- β Detailed salary negotiation script
- β Ranked list of certifications with cost + ROI
- β Downloadable PDF for offline access
- β Instant access, no expiration, no subscription
One-time purchase. 7-day refund guarantee.
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Machinists Salary by State
Best Cities (cost-adjusted) βSalary Map β Click a state for details
Top Paying States
| State | Median | vs. National |
|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | $84,410 | +43.7% |
| Alaska | $77,670 | +32.2% |
| District of Columbia | $72,900 | +24.1% |
| Massachusetts | $67,270 | +14.5% |
| Washington | $66,160 | +12.6% |
| Oregon | $63,820 | +8.6% |
| New Jersey | $63,190 | +7.6% |
| Wyoming | $63,070 | +7.4% |
| Vermont | $62,680 | +6.7% |
| Delaware | $62,650 | +6.6% |
Machinists Salary by Metro Area
| Metro Area | Median | vs. National |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Honolulu, HI | $84,410 | +43.7% |
| Florence-Muscle Shoals, AL | $82,690 | +40.7% |
| Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA | $80,620 | +37.2% |
| Barnstable Town, MA | $77,650 | +32.2% |
| Lake Charles, LA | $75,580 | +28.6% |
| Anchorage, AK | $75,040 | +27.7% |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $74,560 | +26.9% |
| Bismarck, ND | $74,090 | +26.1% |
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $72,060 | +22.7% |
| Flagstaff, AZ | $71,620 | +21.9% |