Best cities for a general machine operator
The best cities for general machine operators are Cleveland, OH, Columbus, OH, and Kansas City, MO, based on factors like average salary and job availability per capita. Jobs and pay for general machine operators vary across the country, but we've determined the ten best cities for general machine operators in the U.S.
Whether you're starting your career as a general machine operator or considering a move, this list of the best cities for general machine operators to live in will help you decide. These aren't just the best-paying cities for general machine operators. We also consider how easy it is to find work as a general machine operator. While the absolute best city for general machine operators is Cleveland, OH, there are plenty of other great places to consider.
Keep reading to learn more about the best cities for general machine operators in 2024.
If you're looking for a general machine operator job, here are five companies hiring now:
10 best cities for general machine operators in 2026
1. Cleveland, OH
Total general machine operator jobs: 6 Average annual salary: $33,742 Lowest 10 percent warn: $26,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $42,000 Location quotient: 8.46 2. Columbus, OH
Total general machine operator jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $32,453 Lowest 10 percent warn: $25,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $40,000 Location quotient: 0.00 3. Kansas City, MO
Total general machine operator jobs: 6 Average annual salary: $32,143 Lowest 10 percent warn: $25,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $40,000 Location quotient: 6.33 4. Cincinnati, OH
Total general machine operator jobs: 1 Average annual salary: $31,669 Lowest 10 percent warn: $25,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $39,000 Location quotient: 1.04 5. Detroit, MI
Total general machine operator jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $31,899 Lowest 10 percent warn: $25,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $39,000 Location quotient: 0.00 6. Madison, WI
Total general machine operator jobs: 2 Average annual salary: $36,325 Lowest 10 percent warn: $29,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $45,000 Location quotient: 2.47 7. Toledo, OH
Total general machine operator jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $33,673 Lowest 10 percent warn: $26,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $42,000 Location quotient: 0.00 8. Indianapolis, IN
Total general machine operator jobs: 3 Average annual salary: $32,916 Lowest 10 percent warn: $26,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $41,000 Location quotient: 1.71 9. Pittsburgh, PA
Total general machine operator jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $33,735 Lowest 10 percent warn: $26,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $42,000 Location quotient: 0.00 10. Louisville, KY
Total general machine operator jobs: 2 Average annual salary: $30,517 Lowest 10 percent warn: $24,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $38,000 Location quotient: 2.54
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Best cities for general machine operators
- Cleveland, OH
- Columbus, OH
- Kansas City, MO
- Cincinnati, OH
- Detroit, MI
- Madison, WI
- Toledo, OH
- Indianapolis, IN
- Pittsburgh, PA
- Louisville, KY
- (6 general machine operator jobs)
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- (2 general machine operator jobs)
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- (2 general machine operator jobs)
Detailed list of the best cities for a general machine operator
| Rank | City | Average salary | Lowest 10% Earn | Population | Job count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cleveland, OH | $33,742 | $26,000 | 385,809 | 6 |
| 2 | Columbus, OH | $32,453 | $25,000 | 860,090 | - |
| 3 | Kansas City, MO | $32,143 | $25,000 | 481,420 | 6 |
| 4 | Cincinnati, OH | $31,669 | $25,000 | 298,800 | 1 |
| 5 | Detroit, MI | $31,899 | $25,000 | 672,795 | - |
| 6 | Madison, WI | $36,325 | $29,000 | 252,551 | 2 |
| 7 | Toledo, OH | $33,673 | $26,000 | 278,508 | - |
| 8 | Indianapolis, IN | $32,916 | $26,000 | 855,164 | 3 |
| 9 | Pittsburgh, PA | $33,735 | $26,000 | 303,625 | - |
| 10 | Louisville, KY | $30,517 | $24,000 | 597,337 | 2 |
| 11 | Milwaukee, WI | $36,521 | $29,000 | 595,047 | - |
| 12 | Saint Louis, MO | $31,841 | $25,000 | 311,404 | - |
| 13 | Wichita, KS | $35,905 | $28,000 | 389,902 | - |
| 14 | Fort Wayne, IN | $33,998 | $27,000 | 264,488 | - |
| 15 | Philadelphia, PA | $33,986 | $27,000 | 1,567,872 | - |
| 16 | Lexington, KY | $30,471 | $24,000 | 318,449 | - |
| 17 | Minneapolis, MN | $34,842 | $27,000 | 413,651 | - |
| 18 | Saint Paul, MN | $34,838 | $27,000 | 302,398 | - |
| 19 | Durham, NC | $29,706 | $23,000 | 263,016 | - |
| 20 | Greensboro, NC | $29,672 | $23,000 | 287,027 | - |
| 21 | Winston-Salem, NC | $29,651 | $23,000 | 242,203 | - |
| 22 | Reno, NV | $30,806 | $24,000 | 245,255 | - |
| 23 | Raleigh, NC | $29,630 | $23,000 | 458,880 | - |
| 24 | Chicago, IL | $32,571 | $26,000 | 2,704,958 | - |
| 25 | Las Vegas, NV | $29,913 | $23,000 | 632,912 | - |
| 26 | Charlotte, NC | $29,277 | $23,000 | 842,051 | 3 |
| 27 | North Las Vegas, NV | $29,881 | $23,000 | 238,702 | - |
| 28 | Portland, OR | $34,347 | $27,000 | 639,863 | - |
| 29 | Henderson, NV | $29,868 | $23,000 | 292,969 | - |
| 30 | Seattle, WA | $35,637 | $28,000 | 704,352 | - |
| 31 | El Paso, TX | $29,450 | $23,000 | 683,080 | - |
| 32 | Boston, MA | $31,752 | $25,000 | 673,184 | - |
| 33 | Omaha, NE | $28,716 | $23,000 | 446,970 | - |
| 34 | Lincoln, NE | $28,564 | $22,000 | 280,364 | - |
| 35 | Glendale, AZ | $29,084 | $23,000 | 245,895 | - |
| 36 | Lubbock, TX | $28,892 | $22,000 | 252,506 | - |
| 37 | Phoenix, AZ | $29,071 | $23,000 | 1,615,017 | - |
| 38 | Scottsdale, AZ | $29,043 | $23,000 | 246,645 | - |
| 39 | Anchorage, AK | $31,011 | $26,000 | 298,192 | - |
| 40 | Chandler, AZ | $29,016 | $23,000 | 247,477 | - |
| 41 | Mesa, AZ | $29,003 | $23,000 | 484,587 | - |
| 42 | San Antonio, TX | $28,203 | $22,000 | 1,492,510 | 4 |
| 43 | Gilbert, AZ | $29,002 | $23,000 | 237,133 | - |
| 44 | Buffalo, NY | $33,588 | $27,000 | 256,902 | - |
| 45 | Albuquerque, NM | $28,283 | $22,000 | 559,277 | - |
| 46 | Laredo, TX | $28,230 | $22,000 | 257,156 | - |
| 47 | Brookhaven, NY | $32,830 | $26,000 | 486,040 | - |
| 48 | Fort Worth, TX | $28,168 | $22,000 | 854,113 | - |
| 49 | Tucson, AZ | $28,796 | $22,000 | 530,706 | - |
| 50 | Arlington, TX | $28,131 | $22,000 | 392,772 | - |
Highest paying cities for general machine operators
| Rank | City | Avg. general machine operator salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oshkosh, WI | $37,296 |
| 2 | Chanhassen, MN | $34,688 |
| 3 | Elkhart, IN | $34,344 |
| 4 | Reading, PA | $34,109 |
| 5 | Akron, OH | $33,476 |
| 6 | Bartlett, IL | $32,604 |
| 7 | Sacramento, CA | $32,244 |
| 8 | Kansas City, MO | $32,143 |
| 9 | Sterling Heights, MI | $32,042 |
| 10 | Davenport, IA | $31,142 |
| 11 | Statesville, NC | $29,481 |
| 12 | Atlanta, GA | $27,440 |
| 13 | Bristol, TN | $25,684 |