Machinist salary in Fargo, ND-MN
Machinists in the Fargo, ND-MN metro area earn a median of $61,820 a year ($29.72 an hour), based on BLS data for 130 workers.
Pay ranges from $47,810 for the lowest-paid 10% to $77,270 for the top 10%. That is 5% higher than the national median of $58,750. Pay here is about the same as the North Dakota statewide median of $61,820. There are 0.88 machinists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.48). The average (mean) salary is $61,100, close to the median.
Pay range for machinists in Fargo, ND-MN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $47,810 | $22.99 |
| 25th percentile | $49,650 | $23.87 |
| Median | $61,820 | $29.72 |
| 75th percentile | $73,590 | $35.38 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $77,270 | $37.15 |
| Average (mean) | $61,100 | $29.38 |
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 | $5,151.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,575.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,377.69 |
| Weekly | $1,188.85 |
| Hourly | $29.72 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Bismarck, ND | $74,090 | 70 |
| Duluth, MN-WI | $69,440 | 330 |
| La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN | $62,960 | 170 |
| St. Cloud, MN | $62,230 | 460 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $62,070 | 9,420 |
| Mankato, MN | $61,120 | 160 |
| Grand Forks, ND-MN | $57,890 | 100 |
| Rochester, MN | $57,770 | 270 |
| Sioux Falls, SD-MN | $52,000 | 160 |
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 Dakota statewide figures.
Related jobs in Fargo, ND-MN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $61,140 | $29.39 |
| Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $47,230 | $22.71 |
| Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $47,760 | $22.96 |
| Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $45,650 | $21.95 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $46,660 | $22.44 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $76,410 | $36.74 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $50,230 | $24.15 |
| Baker | $36,900 | $17.74 |
| Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers | $44,710 | $21.50 |
| Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers | $37,470 | $18.01 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $46,990 | $22.59 |
| Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $47,610 | $22.89 |
| Production Workers, All Other | $44,880 | $21.58 |
| Printing Press Operator | $37,260 | $17.91 |
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 Fargo, ND-MN?
The median salary for machinists in the Fargo, ND-MN metro area is $61,820 a year, or $29.72 an hour. Pay ranges from $47,810 for the lowest-paid 10% to $77,270 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid machinists make in Fargo, ND-MN?
The top 10% of machinists in the Fargo, ND-MN metro area earn at least $77,270 a year. The top 25% earn $73,590 or more.
What is the starting pay for machinists in Fargo, ND-MN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $47,810 a year, and a quarter of machinists earn $49,650 or less.
How many machinists work in Fargo, ND-MN?
About 130 machinists are employed in the Fargo, ND-MN metro area, not counting the self-employed.