Machinist salary in Great Falls, MT
Machinists in the Great Falls, MT metro area earn a median of $59,340 a year ($28.53 an hour), based on BLS data for 40 workers.
Pay ranges from $36,730 for the lowest-paid 10% to $99,570 for the top 10%. That is 1% higher than the national median of $58,750. Pay here is 3% lower than the Montana statewide median of $60,920. There are 0.97 machinists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.52). The average (mean) salary is $62,390, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for machinists in Great Falls, MT
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,730 | $17.66 |
| 25th percentile | $50,700 | $24.38 |
| Median | $59,340 | $28.53 |
| 75th percentile | $60,090 | $28.89 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $99,570 | $47.87 |
| Average (mean) | $62,390 | $30.00 |
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 | $4,945 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,472.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,282.31 |
| Weekly | $1,141.15 |
| Hourly | $28.53 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Bozeman, MT | $66,500 | 40 |
| Billings, MT | $64,420 | 140 |
| Missoula, MT | $60,060 | 50 |
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 Montana statewide figures.
Related jobs in Great Falls, MT
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $55,720 | $26.79 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $69,120 | $33.23 |
| Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers | $36,610 | $17.60 |
| Baker | $35,850 | $17.24 |
| Butchers and Meat Cutters | $39,510 | $19.00 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $44,400 | $21.35 |
| Crushing, Grinding, and Polishing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $45,440 | $21.84 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $59,900 | $28.80 |
| Cabinetmakers and Bench Carpenters | $45,630 | $21.94 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $38,360 | $18.44 |
| Production Workers, All Other | $38,890 | $18.70 |
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | $56,900 | $27.36 |
More: Production Occupations · all salaries in Great Falls, MT
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 Great Falls, MT?
The median salary for machinists in the Great Falls, MT metro area is $59,340 a year, or $28.53 an hour. Pay ranges from $36,730 for the lowest-paid 10% to $99,570 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid machinists make in Great Falls, MT?
The top 10% of machinists in the Great Falls, MT metro area earn at least $99,570 a year. The top 25% earn $60,090 or more.
What is the starting pay for machinists in Great Falls, MT?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $36,730 a year, and a quarter of machinists earn $50,700 or less.
How many machinists work in Great Falls, MT?
About 40 machinists are employed in the Great Falls, MT metro area, not counting the self-employed.