BLS Official Data · OEWS May 2025

Machinists in North Carolina

$54,880 / year · average (mean) annual wage
$26.38 per hour

▼ 7.5% below U.S. average46th of 51 states

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Dataset: OEWS May 2025 Published: May 2026 Coverage: All 50 States + DC
Average$54,880per year
Median$55,230per year
Hourly$26.38per hour
10th – 90th percentile$37,110 – $75,570per year

Machinists Pay Range in North Carolina

Pay distribution across experience levels

  • 10th Percentile — Entry Level$37,110
  • 25th Percentile — Junior$45,300
  • 50th Percentile — Median$55,230
  • 75th Percentile — Senior$62,680
  • 90th Percentile — Top Earners$75,570

Half of Machinists in North Carolina earn more than $55,230. The top 10% make $75,570 or more, while entry-level workers start around $37,110.

Machinists in North Carolina: Key Facts

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025

  • North Carolina ranks 46th of 51 states for Machinists pay, at $54,880 per year (7.5% below the U.S. average of $59,320).
  • 8,330 people work as Machinists in North Carolina — 2.9% of all U.S. Machinists jobs.
  • Location quotient 0.91: Machinists jobs are less concentrated in North Carolina than in the U.S. overall.
  • Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $37,110; the top 10% earn over $75,570.
  • Hourly equivalent: $26.38 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
  • The highest-paying state is Hawaii at $81,610.
  • Among manufacturing jobs in North Carolina, First-Line Supervisors of Production Workers pays the most ($72,480).

Machinists Job Market in North Carolina

Key factors affecting compensation

North Carolina's key industries are Technology, Finance, Agriculture, and its job market is rated strong. Machinists here earn $54,880 on average, placing the state 46th nationally.

With a cost-of-living index of 0.91 (U.S. = 1.00), a North Carolina salary of $54,880 is roughly equivalent to $60,308 at the national average cost of living.

Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Georgia ($55,690), Mississippi ($55,600), Michigan ($55,240) are the closest alternatives for Machinists weighing a move.

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025

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Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about this salary

What is the average Machinists salary in North Carolina?

The average Machinists salary in North Carolina is $54,880 per year (median $55,230), which is 7.5% below the national average of $59,320.

How does North Carolina rank for Machinists pay?

North Carolina ranks 46th out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is Hawaii ($81,610/yr).

How much do entry-level Machinists make in North Carolina?

The lowest-paid 10% of Machinists in North Carolina earn about $37,110 per year and the 25th percentile is $45,300.

How much do Machinists make per hour in North Carolina?

About $26.38 per hour, based on the $54,880 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.

How many Machinists work in North Carolina?

BLS counts 8,330 Machinists jobs in North Carolina (OEWS May 2025).

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