Machinist salary in Colorado
Machinists in Colorado earn a median of $60,200 a year ($28.94 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,800 workers.
Pay ranges from $44,650 for the lowest-paid 10% to $84,510 for the top 10%. That is 2% higher than the national median of $58,750. Colorado ranks 21st of 51 states for machinists pay. There are 0.97 machinists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.53). The average (mean) salary is $62,650, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for machinists in Colorado
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $44,650 | $21.46 |
| 25th percentile | $49,170 | $23.64 |
| Median | $60,200 | $28.94 |
| 75th percentile | $74,110 | $35.63 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $84,510 | $40.63 |
| Average (mean) | $62,650 | $30.12 |
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 | $5,016.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,508.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,315.38 |
| Weekly | $1,157.69 |
| Hourly | $28.94 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Machinist salary in cities in Colorado
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Boulder, CO | $63,990 | 240 |
| Fort Collins-Loveland, CO | $61,500 | 480 |
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | $60,620 | 1,050 |
| Greeley, CO | $58,340 | 260 |
| Colorado Springs, CO | $57,510 | 380 |
| Pueblo, CO | $57,230 | 90 |
| Grand Junction, CO | $49,180 | 100 |
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 |
Related jobs in Colorado
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 Colorado?
The median salary for machinists in Colorado is $60,200 a year, or $28.94 an hour. Pay ranges from $44,650 for the lowest-paid 10% to $84,510 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid machinists make in Colorado?
The top 10% of machinists in Colorado earn at least $84,510 a year. The top 25% earn $74,110 or more.
What is the starting pay for machinists in Colorado?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $44,650 a year, and a quarter of machinists earn $49,170 or less.
How many machinists work in Colorado?
About 2,800 machinists are employed in Colorado, not counting the self-employed.