Machinist salary in Cape Girardeau, MO-IL
Machinists in the Cape Girardeau, MO-IL metro area earn a median of $48,160 a year ($23.15 an hour), based on BLS data for 100 workers.
Pay ranges from $38,030 for the lowest-paid 10% to $84,900 for the top 10%. That is 18% lower than the national median of $58,750. Pay here is 18% lower than the Missouri statewide median of $58,710. There are 2.2 machinists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $52,680, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for machinists in Cape Girardeau, MO-IL
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,030 | $18.28 |
| 25th percentile | $38,030 | $18.28 |
| Median | $48,160 | $23.15 |
| 75th percentile | $54,760 | $26.33 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $84,900 | $40.82 |
| Average (mean) | $52,680 | $25.33 |
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 | $4,013.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,006.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,852.31 |
| Weekly | $926.15 |
| Hourly | $23.15 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| St. Joseph, MO-KS | $66,390 | 80 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $62,210 | 5,620 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $61,710 | 600 |
| Paducah, KY-IL | $60,300 | 100 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $59,520 | 11,270 |
| Springfield, IL | $59,340 | 90 |
| Champaign-Urbana, IL | $58,910 | 100 |
| Decatur, IL | $56,980 | 60 |
| Kansas City, MO-KS | $56,740 | 1,350 |
| Jefferson City, MO | $51,850 | 70 |
| Peoria, IL | $51,680 | 500 |
| Springfield, MO | $51,100 | 410 |
| Columbia, MO | $50,120 | 240 |
| Rockford, IL | $49,700 | 1,800 |
| Kankakee, IL | $47,930 | 100 |
| Joplin, MO-KS | $46,820 | 360 |
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 Missouri statewide figures.
Related jobs in Cape Girardeau, MO-IL
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $48,580 | $23.35 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $37,270 | $17.92 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $65,990 | $31.73 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $57,140 | $27.47 |
| Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers | $29,630 | $14.24 |
| Printing Press Operator | $48,610 | $23.37 |
| Production Workers, All Other | $38,740 | $18.62 |
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | $50,960 | $24.50 |
| Baker | $29,950 | $14.40 |
| Helpers--Production Workers | $35,270 | $16.96 |
| Cabinetmakers and Bench Carpenters | $38,440 | $18.48 |
| Sawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Wood | $37,720 | $18.13 |
| Butchers and Meat Cutters | $35,110 | $16.88 |
More: Production Occupations · all salaries in Cape Girardeau, MO-IL
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 Cape Girardeau, MO-IL?
The median salary for machinists in the Cape Girardeau, MO-IL metro area is $48,160 a year, or $23.15 an hour. Pay ranges from $38,030 for the lowest-paid 10% to $84,900 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid machinists make in Cape Girardeau, MO-IL?
The top 10% of machinists in the Cape Girardeau, MO-IL metro area earn at least $84,900 a year. The top 25% earn $54,760 or more.
What is the starting pay for machinists in Cape Girardeau, MO-IL?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $38,030 a year, and a quarter of machinists earn $38,030 or less.
How many machinists work in Cape Girardeau, MO-IL?
About 100 machinists are employed in the Cape Girardeau, MO-IL metro area, not counting the self-employed.