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Assembly Technician/Machine Operator Salary in the United States

How much does an Assembly Technician/Machine Operator make in the United States? As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for an Assembly Technician/Machine Operator in the United States is $46,623 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $22.

However, an Assembly Technician/Machine Operator's salary can vary significantly. Here's a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $56,477
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $42,263 to $51,781
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $38,294
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Check out Assembly Technician/Machine Operator Job Openings in the United States

Key Factors That Influence Assembly Technician/Machine Operator Salaries

An Assembly Technician/Machine Operator's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Assembly Technician/Machine Operator Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Assembly Technician/Machine Operator's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $40,984
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $45,549
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $51,686
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $55,528
  • Expert (over 8 years): $80,699
Job RoleYears of ExperienceAverage Salary
Machine Operator I less than 1 year $40,984
Assembly Technician/Machine Operator 1-2 years $45,549
Machine Operator III 2-4 years $51,686
Machine Operator IV 5-8 years $55,528
Machine Operator Supervisor over 8 years $80,699

How Do Assembly Technician/Machine Operator Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Assembly Technician/Machine Operators. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $51,621.
  • California: $51,425.
  • Massachusetts: $50,740.

Top Paying Cities for Assembly Technician/Machine Operator

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $58,806
  • San Francisco: $58,162
  • Oakland: $56,936

Assembly Technician/Machine Operator Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Assembly Technician/Machine Operator roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 60% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Media and Insurance sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 30% above the average. In contrast, Assembly Technician/Machine Operator positions in MFG Durable or Internet typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Assembly Technician/Machine Operator as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an Assembly Technician/Machine Operator

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Media $60,610 $29.0 30%
Insurance $58,279 $28.0 25%
Construction $55,948 $27.0 20%
Financial Services $53,617 $26.0 15%
Aerospace & Defense $51,286 $25.0 10%

How Education impacts an Assembly Technician/Machine Operator's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Assembly Technician/Machine Operator professionals enter the field with a high school degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for an Assembly Technician/Machine Operator with a high school is between $44,700 and $47,709.

Assembly Technician/Machine Operator Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Assembly Technician/Machine Operator
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Degree 85.7%
High School 85.7%
Associate's Degree 9.5%
Bachelor's Degree 4.8%
Master's Degree or MBA 0%
JD, MD, PhD or Equivalent 0%
View as Graph

Assembly Technician/Machine Operator Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Assembly Technician/Machine Operator's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

  • Hourly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Yearly
  • Table View
Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$42,263
Average $46,623/year
$51,781
$3,522
Average $3,885/month
$4,315
$813
Average $897/week
$996
$20
Average $22/hour
$25
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $51,781 $4,315 $996 $25
Average $46,623 $3,885 $897 $22
25th Percentile $42,263 $3,522 $813 $20

Most common benefits for Assembly Technician/Machine Operator

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Assembly Technician/Machine Operator

Here are companies hiring for Assembly Technician/Machine Operator and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next Assembly Technician/Machine Operator Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Assembly Technician/Machine Operator job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

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FAQ about Assembly Technician/Machine Operator

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Assembly Technician/Machine Operator?

The Media industry offers the highest average compensation for Assembly Technician/Machine Operator roles, with salaries approximately 30% above the market median.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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