Machinist salary in Rochester, MN
Machinists in the Rochester, MN metro area earn a median of $57,770 a year ($27.77 an hour), based on BLS data for 270 workers.
Pay ranges from $48,600 for the lowest-paid 10% to $79,570 for the top 10%. That is 2% lower than the national median of $58,750. Pay here is 6% lower than the Minnesota statewide median of $61,140. There are 2.2 machinists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $58,870, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for machinists in Rochester, MN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $48,600 | $23.36 |
| 25th percentile | $48,820 | $23.47 |
| Median | $57,770 | $27.77 |
| 75th percentile | $62,600 | $30.10 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $79,570 | $38.26 |
| Average (mean) | $58,870 | $28.31 |
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 | $4,814.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,407.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,221.92 |
| Weekly | $1,110.96 |
| Hourly | $27.77 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Duluth, MN-WI | $69,440 | 330 |
| La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN | $62,960 | 170 |
| St. Cloud, MN | $62,230 | 460 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $62,070 | 9,420 |
| Fargo, ND-MN | $61,820 | 130 |
| Mankato, MN | $61,120 | 160 |
| Grand Forks, ND-MN | $57,890 | 100 |
| Sioux Falls, SD-MN | $52,000 | 160 |
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 Minnesota statewide figures.
Related jobs in Rochester, MN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $60,380 | $29.03 |
| Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $52,830 | $25.40 |
| Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $55,990 | $26.92 |
| Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $46,450 | $22.33 |
| Tool and Die Makers | $66,680 | $32.06 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $45,740 | $21.99 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $76,420 | $36.74 |
| Production Workers, All Other | $39,210 | $18.85 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $39,200 | $18.84 |
| Food Batchmaker | $49,170 | $23.64 |
| Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $54,390 | $26.15 |
| Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers | $39,030 | $18.77 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $59,850 | $28.78 |
| Baker | $40,090 | $19.27 |
More: Production Occupations · all salaries in Rochester, MN
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 Rochester, MN?
The median salary for machinists in the Rochester, MN metro area is $57,770 a year, or $27.77 an hour. Pay ranges from $48,600 for the lowest-paid 10% to $79,570 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid machinists make in Rochester, MN?
The top 10% of machinists in the Rochester, MN metro area earn at least $79,570 a year. The top 25% earn $62,600 or more.
What is the starting pay for machinists in Rochester, MN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $48,600 a year, and a quarter of machinists earn $48,820 or less.
How many machinists work in Rochester, MN?
About 270 machinists are employed in the Rochester, MN metro area, not counting the self-employed.