Machinist salary in Illinois
Machinists in Illinois earn a median of $58,520 a year ($28.13 an hour), based on BLS data for 16,520 workers.
Pay ranges from $38,390 for the lowest-paid 10% to $78,290 for the top 10%. That is about the same as the national median of $58,750. Illinois ranks 30th of 51 states for machinists pay. There are 2.7 machinists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.5× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $58,920, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for machinists in Illinois
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,390 | $18.46 |
| 25th percentile | $46,380 | $22.30 |
| Median | $58,520 | $28.13 |
| 75th percentile | $65,620 | $31.55 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $78,290 | $37.64 |
| Average (mean) | $58,920 | $28.33 |
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 | $4,876.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,438.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,250.77 |
| Weekly | $1,125.38 |
| Hourly | $28.13 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Machinist salary in cities in Illinois
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Peoria, IL | $51,680 | 500 |
| Rockford, IL | $49,700 | 1,800 |
| Cape Girardeau, MO-IL | $48,160 | 100 |
| Kankakee, IL | $47,930 | 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 Illinois
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 Illinois?
The median salary for machinists in Illinois is $58,520 a year, or $28.13 an hour. Pay ranges from $38,390 for the lowest-paid 10% to $78,290 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid machinists make in Illinois?
The top 10% of machinists in Illinois earn at least $78,290 a year. The top 25% earn $65,620 or more.
What is the starting pay for machinists in Illinois?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $38,390 a year, and a quarter of machinists earn $46,380 or less.
How many machinists work in Illinois?
About 16,520 machinists are employed in Illinois, not counting the self-employed.