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General Machinist Salary in California

How much does a General Machinist make in California? As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a General Machinist in California is $57,506 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $28.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $69,660
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $52,128 to $63,868
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $47,232
Salary Factors Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Check out General Machinist Job Openings in California

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): $55,767
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $56,799
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $57,683
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $57,948
  • Expert (over 8 years): $58,125
Job RoleYears of ExperienceAverage Salary
Entry Level General Machinist less than 1 year $55,767
Early Career Level General Machinist 1-2 years $56,799
Mid-Level Level General Machinist 2-4 years $57,683
Senior-Level Level General Machinist 5-8 years $57,948
Expert Level General Machinist over 8 years $58,125

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:

  • Los Angeles: $57,605
  • West Hollywood: $57,564
  • Dodgertown: $57,605

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 $86,259 $41.0 50%
Retail & Wholesale $74,758 $36.0 30%
Aerospace & Defense $69,007 $33.0 20%
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit $63,257 $30.0 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.

  • Yearly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Hourly
  • Table View
Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$52,128
Average $57,506/year
$63,868
$4,344
Average $4,792/month
$5,322
$1,002
Average $1,106/week
$1,228
$25
Average $28/hour
$31
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $63,868 $5,322 $1,228 $31
Average $57,506 $4,792 $1,106 $28
25th Percentile $52,128 $4,344 $1,002 $25

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.

  • General Motors | NEWFANE, NY

    Machinist Toolmaker

    General Motors | NEWFANE, NY

    General Motors is seeking a skilled Machinist/Toolmaker to support precision manufacturing for advanced vehicles. In this role, you’ll set up and operate m... more

    4 Days Ago

  • General Motors | CHEEKTOWAGA, NY

    Machinist Toolmaker

    General Motors | CHEEKTOWAGA, NY

    General Motors is seeking a skilled Machinist/Toolmaker to support precision manufacturing for advanced vehicles. In this role, you’ll set up and operate m... more

    4 Days Ago

  • General Motors | UNIVERSITY BUFFALO, NY

    Machinist Toolmaker

    General Motors | UNIVERSITY BUFFALO, NY

    General Motors is seeking a skilled Machinist/Toolmaker to support precision manufacturing for advanced vehicles. In this role, you’ll set up and operate m... more

    4 Days Ago

  • General Motors | TOWNLINE, NY

    Machinist Toolmaker

    General Motors | TOWNLINE, NY

    General Motors is seeking a skilled Machinist/Toolmaker to support precision manufacturing for advanced vehicles. In this role, you’ll set up and operate m... more

    4 Days Ago

  • General Motors | LACKAWANNA, NY

    Machinist Toolmaker

    General Motors | LACKAWANNA, NY

    General Motors is seeking a skilled Machinist/Toolmaker to support precision manufacturing for advanced vehicles. In this role, you’ll set up and operate m... more

    4 Days Ago

  • General Motors | STELLA NIAGARA, NY

    Machinist Toolmaker

    General Motors | STELLA NIAGARA, NY

    General Motors is seeking a skilled Machinist/Toolmaker to support precision manufacturing for advanced vehicles. In this role, you’ll set up and operate m... more

    4 Days Ago

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Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third-party data sources. We also provide multiple percentiles of salary information for your reference, click here to know Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial to Getting Pay Equity Right. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.

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