Machine Operator Salary By State: Highest-Paid Machine Operators by State [2026]
Research Summary. Following comprehensive analysis by the Zippia data science team, we present the latest insights into machine operator salaries across various states in the United States as of 2026:
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Minnesota boasts the highest average machine operator salary at $36,966.
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Wyoming reports the lowest machine operator salary at $20,035.
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The national average salary for machine operators is $32,874.
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The average national hourly wage for machine operators is $15.80.
You can explore further details on our specific methodology.
Background
For many individuals, salary remains the top priority when considering job opportunities. The query is often the same: how much do machine operators earn in my area?
While various factors can influence your specific earnings, we have gathered reliable data on average salaries for machine operators by state, categorized by experience level. Although local variations may exist, these averages serve as a solid guideline for salary expectations.
Among the states, Minnesota stands out with the highest compensation for machine operators.
Here’s a brief overview of the top ten states for machine operator salaries:
Next, let’s examine the complete ranking of all the states.
Highest-Paid Machine Operators By State
| Rank | State | Average Machine Operator Salary | 10th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Minnesota | $36,966 | $29,000 | $45,000 |
| 2 | Wisconsin | $35,869 | $28,000 | $44,000 |
| 3 | Washington | $35,676 | $28,000 | $43,000 |
| 4 | Idaho | $35,212 | $28,000 | $43,000 |
| 5 | Maine | $35,169 | $28,000 | $42,000 |
| 6 | Pennsylvania | $34,945 | $27,000 | $43,000 |
| 7 | Oregon | $34,859 | $28,000 | $42,000 |
| 8 | North Dakota | $34,740 | $28,000 | $42,000 |
| 9 | Rhode Island | $34,607 | $28,000 | $42,000 |
| 10 | Missouri | $34,312 | $27,000 | $43,000 |
| 11 | California | $34,272 | $27,000 | $43,000 |
| 12 | Kentucky | $34,074 | $26,000 | $43,000 |
| 13 | Delaware | $33,924 | $26,000 | $42,000 |
| 14 | Nevada | $33,913 | $27,000 | $42,000 |
| 15 | Indiana | $33,724 | $26,000 | $42,000 |
| 16 | Illinois | $33,711 | $26,000 | $42,000 |
| 17 | Ohio | $33,641 | $26,000 | $42,000 |
| 18 | New Jersey | $33,618 | $26,000 | $41,000 |
| 19 | Iowa | $33,229 | $26,000 | $41,000 |
| 20 | Utah | $33,090 | $26,000 | $41,000 |
| 21 | Maryland | $32,969 | $26,000 | $41,000 |
| 22 | Colorado | $32,967 | $26,000 | $41,000 |
| 23 | Kansas | $32,830 | $26,000 | $41,000 |
| 24 | Massachusetts | $32,778 | $26,000 | $40,000 |
| 25 | Hawaii | $32,720 | $27,000 | $39,000 |
| 26 | Michigan | $32,615 | $26,000 | $40,000 |
| 27 | New Hampshire | $32,539 | $26,000 | $40,000 |
| 28 | Vermont | $32,409 | $26,000 | $39,000 |
| 29 | New York | $32,241 | $25,000 | $40,000 |
| 30 | South Dakota | $32,231 | $25,000 | $40,000 |
| 31 | West Virginia | $32,211 | $25,000 | $40,000 |
| 32 | Connecticut | $32,154 | $25,000 | $39,000 |
| 33 | Arizona | $32,045 | $25,000 | $40,000 |
| 34 | Nebraska | $31,668 | $25,000 | $39,000 |
| 35 | South Carolina | $31,565 | $24,000 | $40,000 |
| 36 | Alaska | $30,862 | $26,000 | $36,000 |
| 37 | Virginia | $30,693 | $24,000 | $38,000 |
| 38 | Arkansas | $30,358 | $24,000 | $38,000 |
| 39 | Georgia | $30,322 | $23,000 | $38,000 |
| 40 | Tennessee | $30,308 | $23,000 | $38,000 |
| 41 | North Carolina | $30,025 | $23,000 | $38,000 |
| 42 | Montana | $29,626 | $23,000 | $36,000 |
| 43 | Mississippi | $28,776 | $22,000 | $36,000 |
| 44 | Texas | $28,517 | $22,000 | $36,000 |
| 45 | Oklahoma | $28,380 | $22,000 | $35,000 |
| 46 | Alabama | $28,264 | $22,000 | $35,000 |
| 47 | New Mexico | $28,108 | $22,000 | $35,000 |
| 48 | Florida | $27,421 | $21,000 | $35,000 |
| 49 | Louisiana | $27,029 | $21,000 | $34,000 |
| 50 | Wyoming | $20,035 | $16,000 | $24,000 |
Methodology: Machine Operator Salary By State
To analyze machine operator compensation by state, Zippia has compiled data from various reliable sources, including the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and actual salary postings from job listings. Our data science team then calculates a weighted average based on these inputs to determine average pay for machine operators across states.
We ranked each state according to the average annual salary data for machine operators, with the highest earner securing the top position.
Machine Operator Salary By State FAQs
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What is the highest-paid state for machine operators?
The highest-paid state for machine operators is Minnesota, offering an average salary of $36,966 per year.
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What city pays machine operators the most?
Minneapolis, MN, has the highest average salary for machine operators at $37,003 per year.
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What is the worst state for machine operators?
The lowest-paying state for machine operators is Wyoming, with an average salary of $20,035 per year.
Author
Chris Kolmar is a co-founder of Zippia and the editor-in-chief of the Zippia career advice blog. He has hired over 50 people in his career, been hired five times, and wants to help you land your next job. His research has been featured on the New York Times, Thrillist, VOX, The Atlantic, and a host of local news. More recently, he's been quoted on USA Today, BusinessInsider, and CNBC.
