Machinist salary in Billings, MT
Machinists in the Billings, MT metro area earn a median of $64,420 a year ($30.97 an hour), based on BLS data for 140 workers.
Pay ranges from $45,760 for the lowest-paid 10% to $116,970 for the top 10%. That is 10% higher than the national median of $58,750. Pay here is 6% higher than the Montana statewide median of $60,920. There are 1.5 machinists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.79). The average (mean) salary is $71,040, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for machinists in Billings, MT
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $45,760 | $22.00 |
| 25th percentile | $55,390 | $26.63 |
| Median | $64,420 | $30.97 |
| 75th percentile | $80,350 | $38.63 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $116,970 | $56.24 |
| Average (mean) | $71,040 | $34.15 |
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 | $5,368.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,684.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,477.69 |
| Weekly | $1,238.85 |
| Hourly | $30.97 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Bozeman, MT | $66,500 | 40 |
| Missoula, MT | $60,060 | 50 |
| Great Falls, MT | $59,340 | 40 |
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 Montana statewide figures.
Related jobs in Billings, MT
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $52,670 | $25.32 |
| Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $49,210 | $23.66 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $82,280 | $39.56 |
| Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers | $103,110 | $49.57 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $45,340 | $21.80 |
| Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers | $36,170 | $17.39 |
| Baker | $38,490 | $18.51 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $59,680 | $28.69 |
| Mixing and Blending Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $39,150 | $18.82 |
| Butchers and Meat Cutters | $44,790 | $21.53 |
| Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $47,240 | $22.71 |
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | $60,530 | $29.10 |
| Cabinetmakers and Bench Carpenters | $48,610 | $23.37 |
| Printing Press Operator | $36,160 | $17.38 |
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 Billings, MT?
The median salary for machinists in the Billings, MT metro area is $64,420 a year, or $30.97 an hour. Pay ranges from $45,760 for the lowest-paid 10% to $116,970 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid machinists make in Billings, MT?
The top 10% of machinists in the Billings, MT metro area earn at least $116,970 a year. The top 25% earn $80,350 or more.
What is the starting pay for machinists in Billings, MT?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $45,760 a year, and a quarter of machinists earn $55,390 or less.
How many machinists work in Billings, MT?
About 140 machinists are employed in the Billings, MT metro area, not counting the self-employed.