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Machine tool operator salary
Average machine tool operator salary
$36,999
Detailed Overview of Machine Tool Operator Salaries
The role of a Machine Tool Operator is essential in the manufacturing sector, responsible for setting up and operating various machines. As of October 2025, the average salary stands at $36,999 annually, translating to approximately $18 per hour. Salaries vary significantly by state, with some regions offering higher wages due to demand and cost of living differences.
Regional Salary Variations
For example, states like California and Texas often report higher average salaries for machine tool operators. Factors influencing these wages include local job market conditions, industry growth, and the operator's level of experience. Operators with specialized skills in CNC machining or programming may command even higher salaries.
Job Opportunities
The demand for machine tool operators is projected to grow, presenting numerous job opportunities across various industries, including aerospace, automotive, and construction. Pursuing additional certifications or training can enhance employability and salary potential. Explore job openings on Zippia to find positions that match your skills and career goals.
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Where can a Machine Tool Operator earn more?
Machine tool operator salary estimates from across the web
Average machine tool operator salary by state
The average machine tool operator salary in California, Massachusetts, and Connecticut are the highest in the U.S. The lowest average machine tool operator salary states are Minnesota, Nebraska, and Alaska.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for machine tool operators
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Massachusetts | $48,744 | $23.43 |
| 2 | Rhode Island | $45,165 | $21.71 |
| 3 | Connecticut | $47,333 | $22.76 |
| 4 | New Jersey | $45,469 | $21.86 |
| 5 | Pennsylvania | $45,836 | $22.04 |
| 6 | Maryland | $43,019 | $20.68 |
| 7 | California | $54,455 | $26.18 |
| 8 | New Hampshire | $41,045 | $19.73 |
| 9 | Arizona | $44,862 | $21.57 |
| 10 | Nevada | $43,636 | $20.98 |
| 11 | New York | $43,996 | $21.15 |
| 12 | Texas | $40,587 | $19.51 |
| 13 | Mississippi | $38,155 | $18.34 |
| 14 | Oregon | $40,461 | $19.45 |
| 15 | West Virginia | $40,570 | $19.50 |
| 16 | Alabama | $37,705 | $18.13 |
| 17 | District of Columbia | $40,471 | $19.46 |
| 18 | Ohio | $34,734 | $16.70 |
| 19 | Louisiana | $38,004 | $18.27 |
| 20 | Michigan | $35,103 | $16.88 |
| 21 | Hawaii | $37,404 | $17.98 |
| 22 | Arkansas | $34,795 | $16.73 |
| 23 | New Mexico | $38,882 | $18.69 |
| 24 | South Carolina | $35,376 | $17.01 |
| 25 | Vermont | $37,951 | $18.25 |
| 26 | Indiana | $33,491 | $16.10 |
| 27 | North Carolina | $34,649 | $16.66 |
| 28 | Florida | $37,503 | $18.03 |
| 29 | Delaware | $38,176 | $18.35 |
| 30 | Alaska | $25,799 | $12.40 |
| 31 | Wisconsin | $30,734 | $14.78 |
| 32 | Georgia | $33,127 | $15.93 |
| 33 | Utah | $32,262 | $15.51 |
| 34 | Maine | $36,665 | $17.63 |
| 35 | Virginia | $36,636 | $17.61 |
| 36 | Kansas | $31,341 | $15.07 |
| 37 | Illinois | $30,862 | $14.84 |
| 38 | Tennessee | $30,175 | $14.51 |
| 39 | Idaho | $32,242 | $15.50 |
| 40 | Oklahoma | $32,608 | $15.68 |
| 41 | Washington | $31,752 | $15.27 |
| 42 | Iowa | $27,649 | $13.29 |
| 43 | Minnesota | $26,930 | $12.95 |
| 44 | Missouri | $30,796 | $14.81 |
| 45 | Kentucky | $29,738 | $14.30 |
| 46 | Wyoming | $29,794 | $14.32 |
| 47 | South Dakota | $25,412 | $12.22 |
| 48 | Nebraska | $25,891 | $12.45 |
| 49 | Colorado | $28,814 | $13.85 |
| 50 | Montana | $25,024 | $12.03 |
| 51 | North Dakota | $24,286 | $11.68 |
Highest paying cities for machine tool operators
The highest-paying cities for machine tool operators are Garfield, NJ, Tucson, AZ, and New York, NY.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Garfield, NJ | $44,778 | $21.53 |
| 2 | Tucson, AZ | $44,555 | $21.42 |
| 3 | New York, NY | $42,922 | $20.64 |
| 4 | Houston, TX | $40,074 | $19.27 |
| 5 | Panama City, FL | $37,274 | $17.92 |
| 6 | Huntsville, AL | $36,090 | $17.35 |
| 7 | Newport News, VA | $35,676 | $17.15 |
| 8 | Manitowoc, WI | $30,347 | $14.59 |
| 9 | Carol Stream, IL | $30,289 | $14.56 |
| 10 | Jeffersontown, KY | $29,108 | $13.99 |
Machine tool operator salary details
A machine tool operator's salary ranges from $10,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $128,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a machine tool operator's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $128,000 | $10,667 | $62 |
| 75th Percentile | $71,000 | $5,917 | $34 |
| Average | $36,999 | $3,083 | $18 |
| 25th Percentile | $19,000 | $1,583 | $9 |
| 10th Percentile | $10,000 | $833 | $5 |
Highest paying machine tool operator jobs
The highest paying types of machine tool operators are control board operator, control operator, and lathe set up operator.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Operator | $37,928 | $3,161 | $18.23 | 159,077 |
| Numerical Control Operator | $38,280 | $3,190 | $18.40 | 85,068 |
| Set-Up Operator | $39,269 | $3,272 | $18.88 | 55,670 |
| Laser Operator | $34,813 | $2,901 | $16.74 | 56,479 |
| Control Operator | $42,885 | $3,574 | $20.62 | 64,435 |
| Machine Operator | $32,874 | $2,740 | $15.80 | 96,834 |
Top companies hiring machine tool operators now:
Which companies pay machine tool operators the most?
Machine tool operator salaries at NOV and Jagemann Stamping are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average machine tool operator salary at companies like Acrison and Affordable Engineering Services are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | NOV | $83,972 | $40.37 |
| 2 | Jagemann Stamping | $49,503 | $23.80 |
| 3 | Acrison | $38,475 | $18.50 |
| 4 | Affordable Engineering Services | $38,285 | $18.41 |
| 5 | Tyonek Native | $38,105 | $18.32 |
| 6 | Eclipse Manufacturing | $37,840 | $18.19 |
| 7 | NANA | $36,387 | $17.49 |
| 8 | Kelly Services | $34,865 | $16.76 |
| 9 | The Employment Solutions | $33,916 | $16.31 |
| 10 | NESCO | $30,998 | $14.90 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Machine tool operator salary trends
The average machine tool operator salary has risen by $5,978 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average machine tool operator earned $31,021 annually, but today, they earn $36,999 a year. That works out to a 11% change in pay for machine tool operators over the last decade.
Compare machine tool operator salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average machine tool operator salary over time
Compare machine tool operator salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Machine tool operator salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $37,000 | $17.79 | +3.3% |
| 2024 | $35,800 | $17.20 | +1.4% |
| 2023 | $35,300 | $16.97 | +2.1% |
| 2022 | $34,600 | $16.61 | +3.4% |
| 2021 | $33,400 | $16.04 | +2.2% |
Recently added machine tool operator salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manpowergroup | Machine Operator-Tooling | Houston, TX | 06/26/2025 | $37,566 |
| Peopleready | Machine Tool Operator | North Haven, CT | 02/22/2025 | $34,122 |
| Integrity Staffing Solutions | Machine Tool Set-Up Operator | Wolcott, IN | 12/12/2024 | $35,062 |
| Cardinal Staffing Services | Tooler/Machine Operator | Owosso, MI | 12/04/2024 | $33,392 |
| Lantech | Machine Tool Operator | Louisville, KY | 09/07/2024 | $37,566 |
| Lantech | Machine Tool Operator | Louisville, KY | 09/07/2024 | $37,566 |
| Taylor Staffing | Manual Machine Tool Operator | Tulsa, OK | 05/22/2024 | $33,392 |
| Taylor Staffing | Manual Machine Tool Operator | Tulsa, OK | 05/22/2024 | $33,392 |
| Department of Defense | Machine Tool Operator | McAlester, OK | 05/17/2024 | $54,074 |
| Department of Defense | Machine Tool Operator | McAlester, OK | 05/17/2024 | $54,074 |
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