Machinist salary in Montana
Machinists in Montana earn a median of $60,920 a year ($29.29 an hour), based on BLS data for 630 workers.
Pay ranges from $37,940 for the lowest-paid 10% to $81,810 for the top 10%. That is 4% higher than the national median of $58,750. Montana ranks 19th of 51 states for machinists pay. There are 1.2 machinists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.67). The average (mean) salary is $61,530, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for machinists in Montana
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,940 | $18.24 |
| 25th percentile | $48,030 | $23.09 |
| Median | $60,920 | $29.29 |
| 75th percentile | $68,760 | $33.06 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $81,810 | $39.33 |
| Average (mean) | $61,530 | $29.58 |
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 | $5,076.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,538.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,343.08 |
| Weekly | $1,171.54 |
| Hourly | $29.29 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Machinist salary in cities in Montana
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Bozeman, MT | $66,500 | 40 |
| Billings, MT | $64,420 | 140 |
| Missoula, MT | $60,060 | 50 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in Montana
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $55,610 | $26.73 |
| Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $41,740 | $20.07 |
| Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $48,490 | $23.31 |
| Metal Workers and Plastic Workers, All Other | $56,740 | $27.28 |
| Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $43,340 | $20.84 |
| Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners | $49,560 | $23.83 |
| Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $35,670 | $17.15 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $68,760 | $33.06 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $44,940 | $21.61 |
| Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers | $36,250 | $17.43 |
| Baker | $37,200 | $17.89 |
| Butchers and Meat Cutters | $41,600 | $20.00 |
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | $58,040 | $27.90 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $58,070 | $27.92 |
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 Montana?
The median salary for machinists in Montana is $60,920 a year, or $29.29 an hour. Pay ranges from $37,940 for the lowest-paid 10% to $81,810 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid machinists make in Montana?
The top 10% of machinists in Montana earn at least $81,810 a year. The top 25% earn $68,760 or more.
What is the starting pay for machinists in Montana?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $37,940 a year, and a quarter of machinists earn $48,030 or less.
How many machinists work in Montana?
About 630 machinists are employed in Montana, not counting the self-employed.