Machinist salary in Bowling Green, KY
Machinists in the Bowling Green, KY metro area earn a median of $51,730 a year ($24.87 an hour), based on BLS data for 260 workers.
Pay ranges from $40,050 for the lowest-paid 10% to $66,180 for the top 10%. That is 12% lower than the national median of $58,750. Pay here is 12% lower than the Kentucky statewide median of $58,660. There are 3.2 machinists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.7× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $55,260, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for machinists in Bowling Green, KY
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $40,050 | $19.26 |
| 25th percentile | $50,810 | $24.43 |
| Median | $51,730 | $24.87 |
| 75th percentile | $60,000 | $28.85 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $66,180 | $31.82 |
| Average (mean) | $55,260 | $26.57 |
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 | $4,310.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,155.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,989.62 |
| Weekly | $994.81 |
| Hourly | $24.87 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $60,500 | 990 |
| Paducah, KY-IL | $60,300 | 100 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $57,820 | 360 |
| Elizabethtown, KY | $57,480 | 70 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $57,300 | 2,890 |
| Owensboro, KY | $47,170 | 90 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $46,290 | 680 |
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 Kentucky statewide figures.
Related jobs in Bowling Green, KY
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $44,790 | $21.53 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $53,630 | $25.78 |
| Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $45,490 | $21.87 |
| Tool and Die Makers | $69,790 | $33.56 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $42,940 | $20.65 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $73,540 | $35.35 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $43,720 | $21.02 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $46,330 | $22.28 |
| Food Batchmaker | $48,670 | $23.40 |
| Helpers--Production Workers | $40,350 | $19.40 |
| Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $57,620 | $27.70 |
| Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders | $60,830 | $29.24 |
| Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator | $56,390 | $27.11 |
| Baker | $33,990 | $16.34 |
More: Production Occupations · all salaries in Bowling Green, KY
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 Bowling Green, KY?
The median salary for machinists in the Bowling Green, KY metro area is $51,730 a year, or $24.87 an hour. Pay ranges from $40,050 for the lowest-paid 10% to $66,180 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid machinists make in Bowling Green, KY?
The top 10% of machinists in the Bowling Green, KY metro area earn at least $66,180 a year. The top 25% earn $60,000 or more.
What is the starting pay for machinists in Bowling Green, KY?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $40,050 a year, and a quarter of machinists earn $50,810 or less.
How many machinists work in Bowling Green, KY?
About 260 machinists are employed in the Bowling Green, KY metro area, not counting the self-employed.