Machinist salary in Athens-Clarke County, GA
Machinists in the Athens-Clarke County, GA metro area earn a median of $56,010 a year ($26.93 an hour), based on BLS data for 120 workers.
Pay ranges from $37,440 for the lowest-paid 10% to $72,330 for the top 10%. That is 5% lower than the national median of $58,750. Pay here is 6% higher than the Georgia statewide median of $52,610. There are 1.3 machinists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.68). The average (mean) salary is $55,170, close to the median.
Pay range for machinists in Athens-Clarke County, GA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,440 | $18.00 |
| 25th percentile | $45,650 | $21.95 |
| Median | $56,010 | $26.93 |
| 75th percentile | $62,120 | $29.86 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $72,330 | $34.78 |
| Average (mean) | $55,170 | $26.53 |
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 | $4,667.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,333.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,154.23 |
| Weekly | $1,077.12 |
| Hourly | $26.93 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Warner Robins, GA | $68,060 | 110 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $67,140 | 370 |
| Rome, GA | $62,220 | 90 |
| Albany, GA | $60,840 | 60 |
| Savannah, GA | $60,680 | 330 |
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | $56,270 | 2,500 |
| Gainesville, GA | $55,620 | 210 |
| Brunswick-St. Simons, GA | $51,670 | 40 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $51,540 | 730 |
| Macon-Bibb County, GA | $50,250 | 120 |
| Valdosta, GA | $48,710 | 50 |
| Dalton, GA | $48,240 | 120 |
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 Georgia statewide figures.
Related jobs in Athens-Clarke County, GA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $47,970 | $23.06 |
| Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $62,600 | $30.10 |
| Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $40,840 | $19.64 |
| Extruding and Drawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $45,140 | $21.70 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $38,810 | $18.66 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $68,320 | $32.84 |
| Production Workers, All Other | $48,360 | $23.25 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $45,230 | $21.75 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $41,490 | $19.95 |
| Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers | $58,560 | $28.15 |
| Baker | $29,500 | $14.18 |
| Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders | $47,650 | $22.91 |
| Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $37,530 | $18.04 |
| Butchers and Meat Cutters | $35,980 | $17.30 |
More: Production Occupations · all salaries in Athens-Clarke County, GA
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 Athens-Clarke County, GA?
The median salary for machinists in the Athens-Clarke County, GA metro area is $56,010 a year, or $26.93 an hour. Pay ranges from $37,440 for the lowest-paid 10% to $72,330 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid machinists make in Athens-Clarke County, GA?
The top 10% of machinists in the Athens-Clarke County, GA metro area earn at least $72,330 a year. The top 25% earn $62,120 or more.
What is the starting pay for machinists in Athens-Clarke County, GA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $37,440 a year, and a quarter of machinists earn $45,650 or less.
How many machinists work in Athens-Clarke County, GA?
About 120 machinists are employed in the Athens-Clarke County, GA metro area, not counting the self-employed.