Machinist salary in Richmond, VA
Machinists in the Richmond, VA metro area earn a median of $62,650 a year ($30.12 an hour), based on BLS data for 650 workers.
Pay ranges from $46,890 for the lowest-paid 10% to $95,800 for the top 10%. That is 7% higher than the national median of $58,750. Pay here is 2% higher than the Virginia statewide median of $61,290. There are 0.98 machinists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.53). The average (mean) salary is $67,950, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for machinists in Richmond, VA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $46,890 | $22.54 |
| 25th percentile | $58,150 | $27.96 |
| Median | $62,650 | $30.12 |
| 75th percentile | $80,490 | $38.70 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $95,800 | $46.06 |
| Average (mean) | $67,950 | $32.67 |
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 | $5,220.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,610.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,409.62 |
| Weekly | $1,204.81 |
| Hourly | $30.12 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $68,850 | 620 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $62,900 | 2,350 |
| Lynchburg, VA | $61,140 | 480 |
| Staunton-Stuarts Draft, VA | $60,410 | 130 |
| Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA | $59,920 | 230 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $57,890 | 450 |
| Charlottesville, VA | $55,600 | 50 |
| Roanoke, VA | $52,000 | 290 |
| Harrisonburg, VA | $49,900 | 60 |
| Winchester, VA-WV | $49,130 | 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 |
See Machinist pay in every state or the Virginia statewide figures.
Related jobs in Richmond, VA
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 Richmond, VA?
The median salary for machinists in the Richmond, VA metro area is $62,650 a year, or $30.12 an hour. Pay ranges from $46,890 for the lowest-paid 10% to $95,800 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid machinists make in Richmond, VA?
The top 10% of machinists in the Richmond, VA metro area earn at least $95,800 a year. The top 25% earn $80,490 or more.
What is the starting pay for machinists in Richmond, VA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $46,890 a year, and a quarter of machinists earn $58,150 or less.
How many machinists work in Richmond, VA?
About 650 machinists are employed in the Richmond, VA metro area, not counting the self-employed.