Machinist salary in Altoona, PA
Machinists in the Altoona, PA metro area earn a median of $52,660 a year ($25.32 an hour), based on BLS data for 120 workers.
Pay ranges from $37,080 for the lowest-paid 10% to $62,920 for the top 10%. That is 10% lower than the national median of $58,750. Pay here is 9% lower than the Pennsylvania statewide median of $57,810. There are 2.1 machinists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $51,830, close to the median.
Pay range for machinists in Altoona, PA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,080 | $17.83 |
| 25th percentile | $42,950 | $20.65 |
| Median | $52,660 | $25.32 |
| 75th percentile | $58,770 | $28.25 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $62,920 | $30.25 |
| Average (mean) | $51,830 | $24.92 |
Half of machinists earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $4,388.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,194.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,025.38 |
| Weekly | $1,012.69 |
| Hourly | $25.32 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Machinist salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $61,280 | 3,330 |
| Reading, PA | $59,550 | 440 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | $59,330 | 630 |
| Williamsport, PA | $58,250 | 80 |
| Lancaster, PA | $56,700 | 560 |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA | $56,070 | 360 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $55,880 | 2,760 |
| Erie, PA | $55,120 | 640 |
| Johnstown, PA | $54,910 | 150 |
| York-Hanover, PA | $53,290 | 540 |
| Lebanon, PA | $52,620 | 170 |
| State College, PA | $50,900 | 120 |
| Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA | $49,850 | 430 |
| Chambersburg, PA | $48,400 | 190 |
| Gettysburg, PA | $46,570 | 80 |
Highest-paying states for machinists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Hawaii | $84,410 |
| Alaska | $77,670 |
| District of Columbia | $72,900 |
| Massachusetts | $67,270 |
| Washington | $66,160 |
| Oregon | $63,820 |
| New Jersey | $63,190 |
| Wyoming | $63,070 |
| Vermont | $62,680 |
| Delaware | $62,650 |
See Machinist pay in every state or the Pennsylvania statewide figures.
Related jobs in Altoona, PA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $51,540 | $24.78 |
| Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $52,080 | $25.04 |
| Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $39,300 | $18.89 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $36,940 | $17.76 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $37,800 | $18.17 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $62,660 | $30.12 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $44,380 | $21.34 |
| Food Batchmaker | $35,670 | $17.15 |
| Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $44,890 | $21.58 |
| Printing Press Operator | $44,580 | $21.43 |
| Baker | $31,850 | $15.31 |
| Helpers--Production Workers | $35,540 | $17.09 |
| Mixing and Blending Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $47,200 | $22.69 |
| Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers | $28,910 | $13.90 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 51-4041. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a machinist make in Altoona, PA?
The median salary for machinists in the Altoona, PA metro area is $52,660 a year, or $25.32 an hour. Pay ranges from $37,080 for the lowest-paid 10% to $62,920 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid machinists make in Altoona, PA?
The top 10% of machinists in the Altoona, PA metro area earn at least $62,920 a year. The top 25% earn $58,770 or more.
What is the starting pay for machinists in Altoona, PA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $37,080 a year, and a quarter of machinists earn $42,950 or less.
How many machinists work in Altoona, PA?
About 120 machinists are employed in the Altoona, PA metro area, not counting the self-employed.