Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
The role of a Cut-Out Machine Operator is critical in various manufacturing settings, primarily involving the operation of machines that cut materials into specific shapes. As of October 2025, the average salary stands at $35,298 annually. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings; for instance, operators in major urban centers often receive higher compensation.
Salary averages can vary widely. For example, states like California and New York typically offer salaries above the national average, making them attractive options for job seekers.
With experience, Cut-Out Machine Operators can advance into supervisory roles or specialize in advanced machinery, potentially increasing their earning potential. Continuous skill development and certification in new technologies can further enhance job prospects and salary outcomes.
To find opportunities in this field, visit job boards like Zippia, where you can view listings based on location, salary, and job requirements, helping you make informed career decisions.
Let Zippia find your next cut-out machine operator job
Let Zippia find your next cut-out machine operator job
The average cut-out machine operator salary in Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, and Maryland are the highest in the U.S. The lowest average cut-out machine operator salary states are New Mexico, Nebraska, and Florida.
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Massachusetts | $38,274 | $18.40 |
| 2 | Pennsylvania | $39,400 | $18.94 |
| 3 | Wisconsin | $34,083 | $16.39 |
| 4 | Michigan | $34,818 | $16.74 |
| 5 | New Jersey | $37,412 | $17.99 |
| 6 | Rhode Island | $34,222 | $16.45 |
| 7 | Indiana | $33,296 | $16.01 |
| 8 | Connecticut | $36,479 | $17.54 |
| 9 | New Hampshire | $33,292 | $16.01 |
| 10 | Ohio | $32,962 | $15.85 |
| 11 | Oregon | $36,230 | $17.42 |
| 12 | West Virginia | $37,032 | $17.80 |
| 13 | Wyoming | $34,547 | $16.61 |
| 14 | Idaho | $34,407 | $16.54 |
| 15 | Minnesota | $32,543 | $15.65 |
| 16 | Maryland | $38,025 | $18.28 |
| 17 | Illinois | $32,655 | $15.70 |
| 18 | Vermont | $33,459 | $16.09 |
| 19 | District of Columbia | $35,715 | $17.17 |
| 20 | Tennessee | $30,756 | $14.79 |
| 21 | Iowa | $31,308 | $15.05 |
| 22 | Maine | $32,758 | $15.75 |
| 23 | Kansas | $31,455 | $15.12 |
| 24 | New York | $35,506 | $17.07 |
| 25 | Alaska | $31,716 | $15.25 |
| 26 | Alabama | $31,240 | $15.02 |
| 27 | Utah | $31,950 | $15.36 |
| 28 | South Dakota | $30,808 | $14.81 |
| 29 | Mississippi | $31,084 | $14.94 |
| 30 | Washington | $33,592 | $16.15 |
| 31 | North Carolina | $30,499 | $14.66 |
| 32 | Arizona | $31,759 | $15.27 |
| 33 | Delaware | $32,855 | $15.80 |
| 34 | California | $35,147 | $16.90 |
| 35 | Arkansas | $30,351 | $14.59 |
| 36 | South Carolina | $30,165 | $14.50 |
| 37 | Hawaii | $30,517 | $14.67 |
| 38 | Missouri | $30,691 | $14.76 |
| 39 | Colorado | $32,377 | $15.57 |
| 40 | Texas | $30,461 | $14.64 |
| 41 | North Dakota | $30,724 | $14.77 |
| 42 | Virginia | $31,961 | $15.37 |
| 43 | Nebraska | $29,147 | $14.01 |
| 44 | Kentucky | $28,037 | $13.48 |
| 45 | Louisiana | $29,308 | $14.09 |
| 46 | Nevada | $29,767 | $14.31 |
| 47 | Montana | $30,393 | $14.61 |
| 48 | Georgia | $27,888 | $13.41 |
| 49 | Florida | $28,722 | $13.81 |
| 50 | Oklahoma | $28,554 | $13.73 |
| 51 | New Mexico | $29,272 | $14.07 |
The highest-paying cities for cut-out machine operators are Reading, PA, Lansing, MI, and Sheboygan, WI.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Reading, PA | $39,519 | $19.00 |
| 2 | Lansing, MI | $34,674 | $16.67 |
| 3 | Sheboygan, WI | $34,182 | $16.43 |
| 4 | Puyallup, WA | $33,657 | $16.18 |
| 5 | Mentor, OH | $33,620 | $16.16 |
| 6 | Niles, IL | $32,744 | $15.74 |
| 7 | Chanhassen, MN | $32,584 | $15.67 |
| 8 | Aurora, CO | $32,387 | $15.57 |
| 9 | West Valley City, UT | $31,950 | $15.36 |
| 10 | Chandler, AZ | $31,746 | $15.26 |
| 11 | Fargo, ND | $30,876 | $14.84 |
| 12 | Chattanooga, TN | $30,849 | $14.83 |
| 13 | Sanford, NC | $30,548 | $14.69 |
| 14 | Little Rock, AR | $30,290 | $14.56 |
| 15 | Sarasota, FL | $28,707 | $13.80 |
A cut-out machine operator's salary ranges from $26,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $47,000 at the 90th percentile.

| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $47,000 | $3,917 | $23 |
| 75th Percentile | $41,000 | $3,417 | $20 |
| Average | $35,298 | $2,942 | $17 |
| 25th Percentile | $30,000 | $2,500 | $14 |
| 10th Percentile | $26,000 | $2,167 | $13 |
The highest paying types of cut-out machine operators are planer operator, core machine operator, and power bender operator.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Operator | $37,928 | $3,161 | $18.23 | 159,077 |
| Press Brake Operator | $36,359 | $3,030 | $17.48 | 57,264 |
| Machine Operator/Forklift Operator | $32,452 | $2,704 | $15.60 | 120,073 |
| Saw Operator | $32,319 | $2,693 | $15.54 | 58,465 |
| Planer Operator | $46,309 | $3,859 | $22.26 | 28,742 |
| Assembling Machine Operator | $31,275 | $2,606 | $15.04 | 87,253 |
Top companies hiring cut-out machine operators now:
Cut-out machine operator salaries at Olympic Steel and Sysco are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average cut-out machine operator salary at companies like Du-Co Ceramics and Graphic Packaging International are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Olympic Steel | $49,212 | $23.66 |
| 2 | Sysco | $46,861 | $22.53 |
| 3 | Du-Co Ceramics | $46,361 | $22.29 |
| 4 | Graphic Packaging International | $38,261 | $18.39 |
| 5 | GSP | $35,455 | $17.05 |
| 6 | MCC Label | $34,793 | $16.73 |
| 7 | SPBCo | $34,630 | $16.65 |
| 8 | V & P | $34,626 | $16.65 |
| 9 | The Challenge Printing | $34,426 | $16.55 |
| 10 | Carton Service | $33,828 | $16.26 |
| 11 | The Bernard Group | $33,599 | $16.15 |
| 12 | Integrity Staffing | $33,498 | $16.10 |
| 13 | Kelly Services | $33,296 | $16.01 |
| 14 | Randstad North America, Inc. | $33,172 | $15.95 |
| 15 | Arhaus | $32,899 | $15.82 |
| 16 | Sheridan | $32,890 | $15.81 |
| 17 | Summer Classics | $32,255 | $15.51 |
| 18 | Peckham | $32,012 | $15.39 |
| 19 | Adecco | $31,910 | $15.34 |
| 20 | Express Employment Indy South | $31,538 | $15.16 |
The average cut-out machine operator salary has risen by $5,703 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average cut-out machine operator earned $29,595 annually, but today, they earn $35,298 a year. That works out to a 11% change in pay for cut-out machine operators over the last decade.
Compare cut-out machine operator salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Compare cut-out machine operator salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $35,300 | $16.97 | +3.3% |
| 2024 | $34,100 | $16.41 | +1.4% |
| 2023 | $33,700 | $16.19 | +2.1% |
| 2022 | $33,000 | $15.85 | +3.4% |
| 2021 | $31,800 | $15.30 | +2.2% |
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Staffmark Group | Cutting Machine Operator | Miamisburg, OH | 06/26/2025 | $35,479 |
| The Bernard | Machine Operator, Cutting (Night Shift) | Chanhassen, MN | 06/16/2025 | $35,568 |
| The Bernard Group Inc. | Machine Operator, Cutting (Night Shift) | Chanhassen, MN | 06/16/2025 | $35,568 |
| Digital Room Inc. | Cutting Machine Operator | Arlington, TX | 06/16/2025 | $31,305 |
| Aerotek | Cut Off Machine Operator | Gary, IN | 05/23/2025 | $39,520 |
| Oldcastle Buildingenvelope | Machine Operator Cutting 1St. Shift | Syracuse, NY | 05/23/2025 | $46,436 |
| Staffmark Group | Cutting Machine Operator | Miamisburg, OH | 05/23/2025 | $41,740 |
| Hunter Douglas Window Fashions Division | Fabric Cutting Machine Operator | Augusta, GA | 05/22/2025 | $27,131 |
| Sysco | Machine Operator-Cut-Night Shift | Saint Cloud, MN | 04/17/2025 | $39,653 |
| Appletree Staffing | Laser Cut Machine Operator-Direct | Greenwood, IN | 03/27/2025 | $39,653 |
Search for cut-out machine operator jobs