Machinist salary in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
Machinists in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area earn a median of $50,740 a year ($24.40 an hour), based on BLS data for 220 workers.
Pay ranges from $38,690 for the lowest-paid 10% to $71,480 for the top 10%. That is 14% lower than the national median of $58,750. Pay here is 8% lower than the North Carolina statewide median of $55,230. There are 0.65 machinists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.35). The average (mean) salary is $54,620, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for machinists in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,690 | $18.60 |
| 25th percentile | $45,760 | $22.00 |
| Median | $50,740 | $24.40 |
| 75th percentile | $62,040 | $29.83 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $71,480 | $34.37 |
| Average (mean) | $54,620 | $26.26 |
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 | $4,228.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,114.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,951.54 |
| Weekly | $975.77 |
| Hourly | $24.40 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $62,900 | 2,350 |
| Wilmington, NC | $62,810 | 180 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $61,430 | 570 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $60,210 | 2,390 |
| Goldsboro, NC | $59,790 | 60 |
| Fayetteville, NC | $58,150 | 80 |
| Greenville, NC | $58,010 | 100 |
| Rocky Mount, NC | $56,920 | 90 |
| Burlington, NC | $56,460 | 110 |
| Jacksonville, NC | $55,500 | 30 |
| Pinehurst-Southern Pines, NC | $53,840 | 40 |
| Asheville, NC | $53,110 | 850 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | $52,270 | 530 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $50,350 | 910 |
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC | $43,430 | 460 |
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 North Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $49,280 | $23.69 |
| Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $45,930 | $22.08 |
| Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $40,820 | $19.63 |
| Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $46,360 | $22.29 |
| Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $40,560 | $19.50 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $39,000 | $18.75 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $77,930 | $37.47 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $49,390 | $23.74 |
| Production Workers, All Other | $42,620 | $20.49 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $50,260 | $24.16 |
| Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders | $60,080 | $28.88 |
| Baker | $35,100 | $16.88 |
| Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers | $43,950 | $21.13 |
| Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers | $34,570 | $16.62 |
More: Production Occupations · all salaries in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
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 Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
The median salary for machinists in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area is $50,740 a year, or $24.40 an hour. Pay ranges from $38,690 for the lowest-paid 10% to $71,480 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid machinists make in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
The top 10% of machinists in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area earn at least $71,480 a year. The top 25% earn $62,040 or more.
What is the starting pay for machinists in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $38,690 a year, and a quarter of machinists earn $45,760 or less.
How many machinists work in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
About 220 machinists are employed in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area, not counting the self-employed.