Machinist salary in Tucson, AZ
Machinists in the Tucson, AZ metro area earn a median of $55,700 a year ($26.78 an hour), based on BLS data for 590 workers.
Pay ranges from $38,220 for the lowest-paid 10% to $74,280 for the top 10%. That is 5% lower than the national median of $58,750. Pay here is 9% lower than the Arizona statewide median of $61,080. There are 1.5 machinists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $55,880, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for machinists in Tucson, AZ
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,220 | $18.37 |
| 25th percentile | $47,730 | $22.95 |
| Median | $55,700 | $26.78 |
| 75th percentile | $62,670 | $30.13 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $74,280 | $35.71 |
| Average (mean) | $55,880 | $26.86 |
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 | $4,641.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,320.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,142.31 |
| Weekly | $1,071.15 |
| Hourly | $26.78 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Flagstaff, AZ | $71,620 | 50 |
| Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ | $61,270 | 3,230 |
| Yuma, AZ | $57,820 | 60 |
| Lake Havasu City-Kingman, AZ | $49,930 | 70 |
| Prescott Valley-Prescott, AZ | $49,210 | 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 Arizona statewide figures.
Related jobs in Tucson, AZ
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 Tucson, AZ?
The median salary for machinists in the Tucson, AZ metro area is $55,700 a year, or $26.78 an hour. Pay ranges from $38,220 for the lowest-paid 10% to $74,280 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid machinists make in Tucson, AZ?
The top 10% of machinists in the Tucson, AZ metro area earn at least $74,280 a year. The top 25% earn $62,670 or more.
What is the starting pay for machinists in Tucson, AZ?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $38,220 a year, and a quarter of machinists earn $47,730 or less.
How many machinists work in Tucson, AZ?
About 590 machinists are employed in the Tucson, AZ metro area, not counting the self-employed.