Machinist salary in North Carolina
Machinists in North Carolina earn a median of $55,230 a year ($26.56 an hour), based on BLS data for 8,330 workers.
Pay ranges from $37,110 for the lowest-paid 10% to $75,570 for the top 10%. That is 6% lower than the national median of $58,750. North Carolina ranks 42nd of 51 states for machinists pay. There are 1.7 machinists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $54,880, close to the median.
Pay range for machinists in North Carolina
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,110 | $17.84 |
| 25th percentile | $45,300 | $21.78 |
| Median | $55,230 | $26.56 |
| 75th percentile | $62,680 | $30.13 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $75,570 | $36.33 |
| Average (mean) | $54,880 | $26.38 |
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 | $4,602.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,301.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,124.23 |
| Weekly | $1,062.12 |
| Hourly | $26.56 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Machinist salary in cities in North Carolina
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $62,900 | 2,350 |
| Wilmington, NC | $62,810 | 180 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $61,430 | 570 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $60,210 | 2,390 |
| Goldsboro, NC | $59,790 | 60 |
| Fayetteville, NC | $58,150 | 80 |
| Greenville, NC | $58,010 | 100 |
| Rocky Mount, NC | $56,920 | 90 |
| Burlington, NC | $56,460 | 110 |
| Jacksonville, NC | $55,500 | 30 |
| Pinehurst-Southern Pines, NC | $53,840 | 40 |
| Asheville, NC | $53,110 | 850 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | $52,270 | 530 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $50,740 | 220 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $50,350 | 910 |
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC | $43,430 | 460 |
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 North Carolina
More: Production Occupations · all salaries in North Carolina
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 North Carolina?
The median salary for machinists in North Carolina is $55,230 a year, or $26.56 an hour. Pay ranges from $37,110 for the lowest-paid 10% to $75,570 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid machinists make in North Carolina?
The top 10% of machinists in North Carolina earn at least $75,570 a year. The top 25% earn $62,680 or more.
What is the starting pay for machinists in North Carolina?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $37,110 a year, and a quarter of machinists earn $45,300 or less.
How many machinists work in North Carolina?
About 8,330 machinists are employed in North Carolina, not counting the self-employed.