Best cities for a lead operator/machine operator
The best cities for lead operator/machine operators are Louisville, KY, Philadelphia, PA, and Lexington, KY, based on factors like average salary and job availability per capita. Jobs and pay for lead operator/machine operators vary across the country, but we've determined the ten best cities for lead operator/machine operators in the U.S.
Whether you're starting your career as a lead operator/machine operator or considering a move, this list of the best cities for lead operator/machine operators to live in will help you decide. These aren't just the best-paying cities for lead operator/machine operators. We also consider how easy it is to find work as a lead operator/machine operator. While the absolute best city for lead operator/machine operators is Louisville, KY, there are plenty of other great places to consider.
Keep reading to learn more about the best cities for lead operator/machine operators in 2024.
If you're looking for a lead operator/machine operator job, here are five companies hiring now:
10 best cities for lead operator/machine operators in 2025
1. Louisville, KY
Total lead operator/machine operator jobs: 2 Average annual salary: $40,100 Lowest 10 percent warn: $30,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $52,000 Location quotient: 5.90 2. Philadelphia, PA
Total lead operator/machine operator jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $44,834 Lowest 10 percent warn: $30,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $66,000 Location quotient: 0.00 3. Lexington, KY
Total lead operator/machine operator jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $40,221 Lowest 10 percent warn: $30,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $52,000 Location quotient: 0.00 4. Cleveland, OH
Total lead operator/machine operator jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $39,106 Lowest 10 percent warn: $28,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $52,000 Location quotient: 0.00 5. Pittsburgh, PA
Total lead operator/machine operator jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $41,607 Lowest 10 percent warn: $29,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $57,000 Location quotient: 0.00 6. Columbus, OH
Total lead operator/machine operator jobs: 2 Average annual salary: $37,998 Lowest 10 percent warn: $28,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $50,000 Location quotient: 2.33 7. Saint Paul, MN
Total lead operator/machine operator jobs: 3 Average annual salary: $43,599 Lowest 10 percent warn: $34,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $54,000 Location quotient: 8.11 8. Glendale, AZ
Total lead operator/machine operator jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $41,753 Lowest 10 percent warn: $30,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $57,000 Location quotient: 0.00 9. Phoenix, AZ
Total lead operator/machine operator jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $41,732 Lowest 10 percent warn: $30,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $57,000 Location quotient: 0.00 10. Scottsdale, AZ
Total lead operator/machine operator jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $41,681 Lowest 10 percent warn: $30,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $57,000 Location quotient: 0.00
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Best cities for lead operator/machine operators
- Louisville, KY
- Philadelphia, PA
- Lexington, KY
- Cleveland, OH
- Pittsburgh, PA
- Columbus, OH
- Saint Paul, MN
- Glendale, AZ
- Phoenix, AZ
- Scottsdale, AZ
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Detailed list of the best cities for a lead operator/machine operator
| Rank | City | Average salary | Lowest 10% Earn | Population | Job count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Louisville, KY | $40,100 | $30,000 | 597,337 | 2 |
| 2 | Philadelphia, PA | $44,834 | $30,000 | 1,567,872 | - |
| 3 | Lexington, KY | $40,221 | $30,000 | 318,449 | - |
| 4 | Cleveland, OH | $39,106 | $28,000 | 385,809 | - |
| 5 | Pittsburgh, PA | $41,607 | $29,000 | 303,625 | - |
| 6 | Columbus, OH | $37,998 | $28,000 | 860,090 | 2 |
| 7 | Saint Paul, MN | $43,599 | $34,000 | 302,398 | 3 |
| 8 | Glendale, AZ | $41,753 | $30,000 | 245,895 | - |
| 9 | Phoenix, AZ | $41,732 | $30,000 | 1,615,017 | - |
| 10 | Scottsdale, AZ | $41,681 | $30,000 | 246,645 | - |
| 11 | Tucson, AZ | $41,535 | $30,000 | 530,706 | 1 |
| 12 | Las Vegas, NV | $39,059 | $27,000 | 632,912 | - |
| 13 | Chandler, AZ | $41,666 | $30,000 | 247,477 | - |
| 14 | Kansas City, MO | $40,784 | $31,000 | 481,420 | - |
| 15 | Henderson, NV | $39,005 | $27,000 | 292,969 | - |
| 16 | Toledo, OH | $38,364 | $29,000 | 278,508 | - |
| 17 | Wichita, KS | $43,946 | $33,000 | 389,902 | - |
| 18 | Gilbert, AZ | $41,646 | $30,000 | 237,133 | - |
| 19 | Mesa, AZ | $41,646 | $30,000 | 484,587 | - |
| 20 | Saint Louis, MO | $40,679 | $31,000 | 311,404 | - |
| 21 | North Las Vegas, NV | $38,964 | $27,000 | 238,702 | - |
| 22 | Durham, NC | $38,678 | $28,000 | 263,016 | 5 |
| 23 | Memphis, TN | $36,002 | $27,000 | 652,717 | - |
| 24 | Minneapolis, MN | $43,599 | $34,000 | 413,651 | - |
| 25 | San Antonio, TX | $38,544 | $27,000 | 1,492,510 | 5 |
| 26 | Laredo, TX | $38,901 | $27,000 | 257,156 | - |
| 27 | Corpus Christi, TX | $38,842 | $27,000 | 325,733 | - |
| 28 | Cincinnati, OH | $37,144 | $28,000 | 298,800 | - |
| 29 | Nashville, TN | $35,775 | $27,000 | 660,388 | - |
| 30 | Reno, NV | $39,441 | $28,000 | 245,255 | - |
| 31 | Fort Wayne, IN | $38,403 | $29,000 | 264,488 | - |
| 32 | Detroit, MI | $37,832 | $28,000 | 672,795 | - |
| 33 | Raleigh, NC | $38,737 | $28,000 | 458,880 | - |
| 34 | El Paso, TX | $38,333 | $27,000 | 683,080 | - |
| 35 | Houston, TX | $38,323 | $27,000 | 2,303,482 | 2 |
| 36 | Indianapolis, IN | $37,719 | $29,000 | 855,164 | - |
| 37 | Austin, TX | $38,274 | $27,000 | 947,890 | - |
| 38 | Greensboro, NC | $38,316 | $28,000 | 287,027 | - |
| 39 | Lubbock, TX | $37,547 | $27,000 | 252,506 | - |
| 40 | Arlington, TX | $37,413 | $27,000 | 392,772 | - |
| 41 | Fort Worth, TX | $37,412 | $27,000 | 854,113 | - |
| 42 | Winston-Salem, NC | $38,143 | $28,000 | 242,203 | - |
| 43 | Dallas, TX | $37,380 | $27,000 | 1,317,929 | - |
| 44 | Irving, TX | $37,365 | $27,000 | 238,289 | - |
| 45 | Charlotte, NC | $37,975 | $28,000 | 842,051 | - |
| 46 | Garland, TX | $37,328 | $27,000 | 234,943 | - |
| 47 | Chicago, IL | $39,850 | $31,000 | 2,704,958 | 4 |
| 48 | Plano, TX | $37,296 | $27,000 | 286,057 | - |
| 49 | Milwaukee, WI | $37,644 | $29,000 | 595,047 | - |
| 50 | Oklahoma City, OK | $37,024 | $28,000 | 638,367 | - |
Highest paying cities for lead operator/machine operators
| Rank | City | Avg. lead operator/machine operator salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Jose, CA | $45,223 |
| 2 | Dover, DE | $44,188 |
| 3 | Eden Prairie, MN | $43,518 |
| 4 | Washington, DC | $43,006 |
| 5 | Bridgeport, CT | $42,900 |
| 6 | Bayonne, NJ | $42,439 |
| 7 | Fargo, ND | $41,747 |
| 8 | Tempe, AZ | $41,691 |
| 9 | New York, NY | $40,534 |
| 10 | Chicago, IL | $39,850 |
| 11 | Raleigh, NC | $38,737 |
| 12 | Greer, SC | $38,597 |
| 13 | San Antonio, TX | $38,544 |
| 14 | Green Bay, WI | $38,261 |
| 15 | Columbus, OH | $37,998 |
| 16 | Lawrenceville, GA | $37,318 |
| 17 | Battle Creek, MI | $37,171 |
| 18 | Tampa, FL | $36,018 |
| 19 | Jackson, TN | $35,871 |
| 20 | Albuquerque, NM | $34,851 |
Lead operator/machine operator best cities FAQs
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Updated January 8, 2025