Machinist salary in Missoula, MT
Machinists in the Missoula, MT metro area earn a median of $60,060 a year ($28.88 an hour), based on BLS data for 50 workers.
Pay ranges from $41,950 for the lowest-paid 10% to $75,420 for the top 10%. That is 2% higher than the national median of $58,750. Pay here is 1% lower than the Montana statewide median of $60,920. There are 0.75 machinists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.41). The average (mean) salary is $58,610, close to the median.
Pay range for machinists in Missoula, MT
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $41,950 | $20.17 |
| 25th percentile | $48,190 | $23.17 |
| Median | $60,060 | $28.88 |
| 75th percentile | $64,790 | $31.15 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $75,420 | $36.26 |
| Average (mean) | $58,610 | $28.18 |
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 | $5,005 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,502.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,310 |
| Weekly | $1,155 |
| Hourly | $28.88 |
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 |
| Great Falls, MT | $59,340 | 40 |
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 Missoula, MT
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $47,720 | $22.94 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $39,660 | $19.07 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $61,460 | $29.55 |
| Baker | $37,070 | $17.82 |
| Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers | $36,730 | $17.66 |
| Butchers and Meat Cutters | $43,460 | $20.89 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $53,560 | $25.75 |
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | $66,550 | $31.99 |
| Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $45,900 | $22.07 |
| Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $49,920 | $24.00 |
| Cabinetmakers and Bench Carpenters | $45,540 | $21.89 |
| Printing Press Operator | $43,160 | $20.75 |
| Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator | $54,010 | $25.97 |
| Food Processing Workers, All Other | $37,450 | $18.00 |
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 Missoula, MT?
The median salary for machinists in the Missoula, MT metro area is $60,060 a year, or $28.88 an hour. Pay ranges from $41,950 for the lowest-paid 10% to $75,420 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid machinists make in Missoula, MT?
The top 10% of machinists in the Missoula, MT metro area earn at least $75,420 a year. The top 25% earn $64,790 or more.
What is the starting pay for machinists in Missoula, MT?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $41,950 a year, and a quarter of machinists earn $48,190 or less.
How many machinists work in Missoula, MT?
About 50 machinists are employed in the Missoula, MT metro area, not counting the self-employed.