Machinist salary in Baton Rouge, LA
Machinists in the Baton Rouge, LA metro area earn a median of $67,700 a year ($32.55 an hour), based on BLS data for 870 workers.
Pay ranges from $45,930 for the lowest-paid 10% to $87,200 for the top 10%. That is 15% higher than the national median of $58,750. Pay here is 11% higher than the Louisiana statewide median of $61,110. There are 2.1 machinists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $69,030, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for machinists in Baton Rouge, LA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $45,930 | $22.08 |
| 25th percentile | $55,560 | $26.71 |
| Median | $67,700 | $32.55 |
| 75th percentile | $84,990 | $40.86 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $87,200 | $41.92 |
| Average (mean) | $69,030 | $33.19 |
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 | $5,641.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,820.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,603.85 |
| Weekly | $1,301.92 |
| Hourly | $32.55 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Lake Charles, LA | $75,580 | 280 |
| New Orleans-Metairie, LA | $66,990 | 550 |
| Monroe, LA | $63,350 | 130 |
| Slidell-Mandeville-Covington, LA | $61,700 | 110 |
| Shreveport-Bossier City, LA | $60,440 | 340 |
| Lafayette, LA | $59,830 | 980 |
| Houma-Bayou Cane-Thibodaux, LA | $55,560 | 570 |
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 Louisiana statewide figures.
Related jobs in Baton Rouge, LA
More: Production Occupations · all salaries in Baton Rouge, LA
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 Baton Rouge, LA?
The median salary for machinists in the Baton Rouge, LA metro area is $67,700 a year, or $32.55 an hour. Pay ranges from $45,930 for the lowest-paid 10% to $87,200 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid machinists make in Baton Rouge, LA?
The top 10% of machinists in the Baton Rouge, LA metro area earn at least $87,200 a year. The top 25% earn $84,990 or more.
What is the starting pay for machinists in Baton Rouge, LA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $45,930 a year, and a quarter of machinists earn $55,560 or less.
How many machinists work in Baton Rouge, LA?
About 870 machinists are employed in the Baton Rouge, LA metro area, not counting the self-employed.