Machinist salary in California

Machinists in California earn a median $57,190 a year. That's 3% below the national median, ranking California #36 of 50 states.

Median pay
$57,190
Median hourly
$27.49
Typical range
$37,440–$88,280
Jobs
18,950

Pay range

Annual pay percentiles for machinists in California
PercentileAnnual payU.S.
10th (entry level)$37,440$39,200
25th$46,360$47,570
Median$57,190$58,750
75th$74,210$67,700
90th (top earners)$88,280$80,010

Pay in California metro areas

Median pay by metro area
Metro areaMedian payJobs
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA$55,6607,850

Compare other states

  1. 1Hawaii$84,410
  2. 2Alaska$77,670
  3. –District of Columbia$72,900
  4. 3Massachusetts$67,270
  5. 4Washington$66,160
  6. 5Oregon$63,820
  7. 6New Jersey$63,190
  8. 7Wyoming$63,070
  9. 8Vermont$62,680
  10. 9Delaware$62,650
  11. 10Connecticut$62,130
  12. 11North Dakota$61,820
  13. 12New Hampshire$61,500
  14. 13Virginia$61,290
  15. 14Utah$61,280
  16. 15Minnesota$61,140
  17. 16Louisiana$61,110
  18. 17Arizona$61,080
  19. 18Montana$60,920
  20. 19New York$60,920
  21. 20Colorado$60,200
  22. 21Maryland$59,810
  23. 22New Mexico$59,440
  24. 23Texas$59,180
  25. 24Maine$59,160
  26. 25Wisconsin$59,110
  27. 26Idaho$58,810
  28. 27Missouri$58,710
  29. 28Kentucky$58,660
  30. 29Illinois$58,520
  31. 30South Carolina$57,970
  32. 31Ohio$57,940
  33. 32Pennsylvania$57,810
  34. 33Indiana$57,800
  35. 34Rhode Island$57,760
  36. 35Iowa$57,540
  37. 36California$57,190
  38. 37Florida$57,140
  39. 38Nebraska$55,860
  40. 39Alabama$55,560
  41. 40Mississippi$55,550
  42. 41North Carolina$55,230
  43. 42Nevada$53,050
  44. 43Georgia$52,610
  45. 44Michigan$52,360
  46. 45Kansas$51,220
  47. 46Arkansas$51,140
  48. 47Oklahoma$51,120
  49. 48South Dakota$50,890
  50. 49Tennessee$49,600
  51. 50West Virginia$47,350
  52. –Puerto Rico$29,280

Start training

See what the work is like and how long training takes, then compare schools in California.

CNC machining schools in CaliforniaHow to become a machinist

Frequently asked questions

How much do machinists make in California?

The median pay for machinists in California is $57,190 a year ($27.49 an hour), according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $37,440, and the top 10% earn over $88,280.

Is California a good state for machinists?

California ranks #36 of 50 states for median machinist pay, 3% below the national median of $58,750. Living costs vary a lot by state, so compare pay with local housing costs.

How can a machinist earn more?

Pay rises with experience, certifications, specialized skills, overtime and willingness to travel. Union jobs and employers in high-cost metro areas often pay more. Our guide on how to become a machinist covers the certifications that matter most.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 (Machinists, SOC 51-4041). Figures exclude self-employed workers.