Machinist salary in Waco, TX
Machinists in the Waco, TX metro area earn a median of $50,380 a year ($24.22 an hour), based on BLS data for 250 workers.
Pay ranges from $36,830 for the lowest-paid 10% to $95,820 for the top 10%. That is 14% lower than the national median of $58,750. Pay here is 15% lower than the Texas statewide median of $59,180. There are 1.9 machinists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $58,000, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for machinists in Waco, TX
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,830 | $17.71 |
| 25th percentile | $45,080 | $21.67 |
| Median | $50,380 | $24.22 |
| 75th percentile | $70,820 | $34.05 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $95,820 | $46.07 |
| Average (mean) | $58,000 | $27.88 |
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 | $4,198.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,099.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,937.69 |
| Weekly | $968.85 |
| Hourly | $24.22 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Corpus Christi, TX | $71,590 | 300 |
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | $61,280 | 8,140 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | $59,830 | 4,660 |
| Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX | $59,800 | 520 |
| Odessa, TX | $59,770 | 380 |
| Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX | $59,030 | 1,210 |
| Midland, TX | $58,800 | 270 |
| Tyler, TX | $58,170 | 80 |
| Abilene, TX | $56,160 | 60 |
| College Station-Bryan, TX | $55,560 | 90 |
| San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX | $53,190 | 750 |
| Wichita Falls, TX | $52,790 | 130 |
| Killeen-Temple, TX | $50,420 | 130 |
| Sherman-Denison, TX | $49,710 | 160 |
| San Angelo, TX | $49,610 | 100 |
| Texarkana, TX-AR | $49,310 | 140 |
| Brownsville-Harlingen, TX | $48,970 | 120 |
| Victoria, TX | $48,420 | 60 |
| Longview, TX | $48,350 | 690 |
| McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX | $48,230 | 110 |
| Lubbock, TX | $47,790 | 160 |
| El Paso, TX | $46,880 | 360 |
| Amarillo, TX | $41,900 | 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 Texas statewide figures.
Related jobs in Waco, TX
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $46,380 | $22.30 |
| Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $37,700 | $18.13 |
| Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $47,480 | $22.83 |
| Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $38,650 | $18.58 |
| Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $45,470 | $21.86 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $39,120 | $18.81 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $69,230 | $33.28 |
| Helpers--Production Workers | $35,040 | $16.85 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $46,900 | $22.55 |
| Food Batchmaker | $40,530 | $19.49 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $36,070 | $17.34 |
| Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers | $29,800 | $14.33 |
| Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders | $37,260 | $17.92 |
| Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $46,010 | $22.12 |
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 Waco, TX?
The median salary for machinists in the Waco, TX metro area is $50,380 a year, or $24.22 an hour. Pay ranges from $36,830 for the lowest-paid 10% to $95,820 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid machinists make in Waco, TX?
The top 10% of machinists in the Waco, TX metro area earn at least $95,820 a year. The top 25% earn $70,820 or more.
What is the starting pay for machinists in Waco, TX?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $36,830 a year, and a quarter of machinists earn $45,080 or less.
How many machinists work in Waco, TX?
About 250 machinists are employed in the Waco, TX metro area, not counting the self-employed.