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General Machinist Salary in the United States

How much does a General Machinist make in the United States? As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a General Machinist in the United States is $52,136 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $25.

However, a General Machinist's salary can vary significantly. Here's a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $63,155
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $47,261 to $57,904
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $42,821
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Check out General Machinist Job Openings in the United States

Key Factors That Influence General Machinist Salaries

A General Machinist'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 and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects General Machinist Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a General Machinist'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): $50,560
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $51,495
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $52,296
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $52,537
  • Expert (over 8 years): $52,697
Job RoleYears of ExperienceAverage Salary
Entry Level General Machinist less than 1 year $50,560
Early Career Level General Machinist 1-2 years $51,495
Mid-Level Level General Machinist 2-4 years $52,296
Senior-Level Level General Machinist 5-8 years $52,537
Expert Level General Machinist over 8 years $52,697

How Do General Machinist 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 General Machinists. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $57,725.
  • California: $57,506.
  • Massachusetts: $56,740.

Top Paying Cities for General Machinist

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: $65,759
  • San Francisco: $65,039
  • Oakland: $63,669

General Machinist Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For General Machinist roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 100% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the MFG Durable and Retail & Wholesale sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 50% above the average. In contrast, General Machinist positions in Software & Networking or MFG Nondurable typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view General Machinist as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a General Machinist

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
MFG Durable $78,204 $38.0 50%
Retail & Wholesale $67,777 $33.0 30%
Aerospace & Defense $62,563 $30.0 20%
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit $57,350 $28.0 10%

General Machinist Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a General Machinist'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
$47,261
Average $52,136/year
$57,904
$3,938
Average $4,345/month
$4,825
$909
Average $1,003/week
$1,114
$23
Average $25/hour
$28
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $57,904 $4,825 $1,114 $28
Average $52,136 $4,345 $1,003 $25
25th Percentile $47,261 $3,938 $909 $23

Most common benefits for General Machinist

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

Common company salaries for General Machinist

Here are companies hiring for General Machinist and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next General Machinist Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current General Machinist job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

  • Addison Group | Ashburn, VA

    Staff Accountant

    Addison Group | Ashburn, VA

    Title. Staff Accountant. Location. Ashburn VA. Schedule. On Site. Compensation. $80,000-95,000 (depending on experience). Benefits. This position is eligib... more

    3 Days Ago

  • Just Construction Recruitment | Ashburn, VA

    Electrical Superintendent

    Just Construction Recruitment | Ashburn, VA

    About the Company. We are currently working with a market leader Electrical Contractor who focus in the mission critical space and are going through an exc... more

    4 Days Ago

  • Dulles Plumbing Group | Ashburn, VA

    Assistant Controller

    Dulles Plumbing Group | Ashburn, VA

    Dulles Plumbing Group, a VMG Company, is looking for an. Assistant Controller. to join our growing team. This is an excellent opportunity for an accounting... more

    4 Days Ago

  • Hanley Energy | Ashburn, VA

    Lead Service Technician

    Hanley Energy | Ashburn, VA

    This position is eligible for a sign-on bonus. Bonus amount and payment terms will be discussed during the recruitment process and are subject to applicabl... more

    4 Days Ago

  • Career Group | Ashburn, VA

    Executive Personal Assistant

    Career Group | Ashburn, VA

    Executive / Personal Assistant. Part-Time. Ashburn/Arlington, VA. A senior executive based in the Ashburn/Arlington, VA area is seeking a part-time Executi... more

    4 Days Ago

  • SeaHill Consulting Group | Ashburn, VA

    Senior Talent Acquisition Specialist

    SeaHill Consulting Group | Ashburn, VA

    Key Responsibilities. Manage the full recruitment lifecycle, including intake meetings, sourcing, candidate screening, interview coordination, offer negoti... more

    5 Days Ago

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FAQ about General Machinist

1. What industry pays the highest salary for General Machinist?

The MFG Durable industry offers the highest average compensation for General Machinist roles, with salaries approximately 50% 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.)

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