Money · 1 of 5
What machinists make
Median
$58,750
Bottom tenth
$39,200
Top tenth
$80,010
The national median is $58,750 a year, the bottom tenth earn $39,200 or less and the top tenth $80,010 or more (2025 federal wage survey). These are the federal wage survey figures for machinists, which is the official title that covers CNC (computer numerical control) machinists. Aerospace and medical device shops pay above the middle. Job shops doing simple production work pay below it.