Machinist salary in Ames, IA
Machinists in the Ames, IA metro area earn a median of $60,200 a year ($28.94 an hour), based on BLS data for 60 workers.
Pay ranges from $53,120 for the lowest-paid 10% to $74,060 for the top 10%. That is 2% higher than the national median of $58,750. Pay here is 5% higher than the Iowa statewide median of $57,540. There are 1.0 machinists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.55). The average (mean) salary is $62,700, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for machinists in Ames, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $53,120 | $25.54 |
| 25th percentile | $59,200 | $28.46 |
| Median | $60,200 | $28.94 |
| 75th percentile | $61,860 | $29.74 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $74,060 | $35.61 |
| Average (mean) | $62,700 | $30.14 |
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 | $5,016.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,508.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,315.38 |
| Weekly | $1,157.69 |
| Hourly | $28.94 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $61,710 | 600 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $59,290 | 210 |
| Dubuque, IA | $58,890 | 180 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $58,540 | 240 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $58,100 | 180 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $56,350 | 80 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $56,000 | 180 |
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 Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Ames, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $49,670 | $23.88 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $58,560 | $28.15 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $49,360 | $23.73 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $74,160 | $35.65 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $48,250 | $23.20 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $61,820 | $29.72 |
| Butchers and Meat Cutters | $36,110 | $17.36 |
| Printing Press Operator | $46,850 | $22.52 |
| Food Batchmaker | $50,950 | $24.50 |
| Mixing and Blending Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $52,020 | $25.01 |
| Baker | $36,520 | $17.56 |
| Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers | $39,080 | $18.79 |
| Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders | $62,300 | $29.95 |
| Production Workers, All Other | $70,690 | $33.99 |
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 Ames, IA?
The median salary for machinists in the Ames, IA metro area is $60,200 a year, or $28.94 an hour. Pay ranges from $53,120 for the lowest-paid 10% to $74,060 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid machinists make in Ames, IA?
The top 10% of machinists in the Ames, IA metro area earn at least $74,060 a year. The top 25% earn $61,860 or more.
What is the starting pay for machinists in Ames, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $53,120 a year, and a quarter of machinists earn $59,200 or less.
How many machinists work in Ames, IA?
About 60 machinists are employed in the Ames, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.