Machinist salary in St. Louis, MO-IL
Machinists in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area earn a median of $62,210 a year ($29.91 an hour), based on BLS data for 5,620 workers.
Pay ranges from $47,230 for the lowest-paid 10% to $89,950 for the top 10%. That is 6% higher than the national median of $58,750. Pay here is 6% higher than the Missouri statewide median of $58,710. There are 4.2 machinists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $64,590, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for machinists in St. Louis, MO-IL
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $47,230 | $22.71 |
| 25th percentile | $55,630 | $26.75 |
| Median | $62,210 | $29.91 |
| 75th percentile | $72,540 | $34.88 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $89,950 | $43.24 |
| Average (mean) | $64,590 | $31.06 |
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 | $5,184.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,592.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,392.69 |
| Weekly | $1,196.35 |
| Hourly | $29.91 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| St. Joseph, MO-KS | $66,390 | 80 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $61,710 | 600 |
| Paducah, KY-IL | $60,300 | 100 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $59,520 | 11,270 |
| Springfield, IL | $59,340 | 90 |
| Champaign-Urbana, IL | $58,910 | 100 |
| Decatur, IL | $56,980 | 60 |
| Kansas City, MO-KS | $56,740 | 1,350 |
| Jefferson City, MO | $51,850 | 70 |
| Peoria, IL | $51,680 | 500 |
| Springfield, MO | $51,100 | 410 |
| Columbia, MO | $50,120 | 240 |
| Rockford, IL | $49,700 | 1,800 |
| Cape Girardeau, MO-IL | $48,160 | 100 |
| Kankakee, IL | $47,930 | 100 |
| Joplin, MO-KS | $46,820 | 360 |
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 Missouri statewide figures.
Related jobs in St. Louis, MO-IL
More: Production Occupations · all salaries in St. Louis, MO-IL
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 St. Louis, MO-IL?
The median salary for machinists in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area is $62,210 a year, or $29.91 an hour. Pay ranges from $47,230 for the lowest-paid 10% to $89,950 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid machinists make in St. Louis, MO-IL?
The top 10% of machinists in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area earn at least $89,950 a year. The top 25% earn $72,540 or more.
What is the starting pay for machinists in St. Louis, MO-IL?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $47,230 a year, and a quarter of machinists earn $55,630 or less.
How many machinists work in St. Louis, MO-IL?
About 5,620 machinists are employed in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area, not counting the self-employed.