Machinist salary in Appleton, WI
Machinists in the Appleton, WI metro area earn a median of $60,350 a year ($29.02 an hour), based on BLS data for 660 workers.
Pay ranges from $39,730 for the lowest-paid 10% to $76,850 for the top 10%. That is 3% higher than the national median of $58,750. Pay here is 2% higher than the Wisconsin statewide median of $59,110. There are 5.3 machinists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.9× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $59,490, close to the median.
Pay range for machinists in Appleton, WI
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $39,730 | $19.10 |
| 25th percentile | $49,180 | $23.65 |
| Median | $60,350 | $29.02 |
| 75th percentile | $64,160 | $30.85 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $76,850 | $36.95 |
| Average (mean) | $59,490 | $28.60 |
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 | $5,029.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,514.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,321.15 |
| Weekly | $1,160.58 |
| Hourly | $29.02 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Duluth, MN-WI | $69,440 | 330 |
| La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN | $62,960 | 170 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $62,070 | 9,420 |
| Madison, WI | $60,830 | 700 |
| Eau Claire, WI | $60,580 | 220 |
| Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI | $60,320 | 4,230 |
| Green Bay, WI | $60,270 | 660 |
| Oshkosh-Neenah, WI | $60,070 | 340 |
| Kenosha, WI | $59,800 | 230 |
| Racine-Mount Pleasant, WI | $57,720 | 450 |
| Fond du Lac, WI | $57,700 | 550 |
| Sheboygan, WI | $55,130 | 560 |
| Wausau, WI | $53,680 | 360 |
| Janesville-Beloit, WI | $46,810 | 340 |
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 Wisconsin statewide figures.
Related jobs in Appleton, WI
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $58,920 | $28.33 |
| Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $53,560 | $25.75 |
| Extruding and Drawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $61,960 | $29.79 |
| Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $49,990 | $24.03 |
| Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $49,500 | $23.80 |
| Tool and Die Makers | $73,010 | $35.10 |
| Metal Workers and Plastic Workers, All Other | $42,450 | $20.41 |
| Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $42,340 | $20.36 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $45,670 | $21.96 |
| Food Batchmaker | $49,390 | $23.75 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $77,240 | $37.14 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $49,930 | $24.01 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $45,660 | $21.95 |
| Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $59,550 | $28.63 |
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 Appleton, WI?
The median salary for machinists in the Appleton, WI metro area is $60,350 a year, or $29.02 an hour. Pay ranges from $39,730 for the lowest-paid 10% to $76,850 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid machinists make in Appleton, WI?
The top 10% of machinists in the Appleton, WI metro area earn at least $76,850 a year. The top 25% earn $64,160 or more.
What is the starting pay for machinists in Appleton, WI?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $39,730 a year, and a quarter of machinists earn $49,180 or less.
How many machinists work in Appleton, WI?
About 660 machinists are employed in the Appleton, WI metro area, not counting the self-employed.