Machinist salary in North Dakota
Machinists in North Dakota earn a median of $61,820 a year ($29.72 an hour), based on BLS data for 560 workers.
Pay ranges from $47,810 for the lowest-paid 10% to $80,030 for the top 10%. That is 5% higher than the national median of $58,750. North Dakota ranks 12th of 51 states for machinists pay. There are 1.3 machinists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.71). The average (mean) salary is $63,830, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for machinists in North Dakota
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $47,810 | $22.99 |
| 25th percentile | $49,300 | $23.70 |
| Median | $61,820 | $29.72 |
| 75th percentile | $74,670 | $35.90 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $80,030 | $38.48 |
| Average (mean) | $63,830 | $30.69 |
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 | $5,151.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,575.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,377.69 |
| Weekly | $1,188.85 |
| Hourly | $29.72 |
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 Dakota
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Bismarck, ND | $74,090 | 70 |
| Fargo, ND-MN | $61,820 | 130 |
| Grand Forks, ND-MN | $57,890 | 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 North Dakota
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $62,000 | $29.81 |
| Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $49,190 | $23.65 |
| Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $48,400 | $23.27 |
| Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $47,780 | $22.97 |
| Rolling Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $43,480 | $20.90 |
| Tool and Die Makers | $73,130 | $35.16 |
| Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $47,670 | $22.92 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $47,250 | $22.71 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $50,820 | $24.43 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $76,350 | $36.71 |
| Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers | $93,130 | $44.77 |
| Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers | $37,470 | $18.01 |
| Baker | $36,900 | $17.74 |
| Gas Plant Operator | $96,760 | $46.52 |
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 Dakota?
The median salary for machinists in North Dakota is $61,820 a year, or $29.72 an hour. Pay ranges from $47,810 for the lowest-paid 10% to $80,030 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid machinists make in North Dakota?
The top 10% of machinists in North Dakota earn at least $80,030 a year. The top 25% earn $74,670 or more.
What is the starting pay for machinists in North Dakota?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $47,810 a year, and a quarter of machinists earn $49,300 or less.
How many machinists work in North Dakota?
About 560 machinists are employed in North Dakota, not counting the self-employed.