As of April 01, 2025, the average annual salary for a CNC Machinist I in the United States is $49,460. According to Salary.com, salaries can range from a low of $41,073 to a high of $58,458, with most professionals earning between $45,070 and $54,170.
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $54,170 | $4,514 | $1,042 | $26 |
| Average | $49,460 | $4,122 | $951 | $24 |
| 25th Percentile | $45,070 | $3,756 | $867 | $22 |
An entry-level CNC Machinist I with less than 1 year of experience earns about $49,132. With 1-2 years of experience, the average salary increases to $49,952. For 2-4 years of experience, the pay typically rises to $50,655. Senior-level professionals with 5-8 years of experience earn around $50,866, and those with over 8 years of experience can expect an average of $51,007.
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level CNC Machinist I | $49,132 |
| Intermediate Level CNC Machinist I | $49,952 |
| Senior Level CNC Machinist I | $50,655 |
| Specialist Level CNC Machinist I | $50,866 |
| Expert Level CNC Machinist I | $51,007 |
| Entry Level | 1% |
| Mid Level | 1% |
| Senior Level | 2% |
| Top Level | 3% |
| Experienced | 3% |
Salaries in the United States differ widely between states due to factors like cost of living, local economies, and industry presence.
What Am I Worth?
Salaries in the United States can vary greatly between cities due to factors like cost of living, local economies, and industry presence.
As of April 01, 2025, our research reveals a significant shift in CNC Machinist I compensation over the past six years. For example, the median salary increased from $42,067 in 2023 to approximately $42,218 in 2024. (For a detailed analysis of CNC Machinist I salary trends, click here.)
Key factors like location, experience, industry demand, and economic growth significantly influence salary variations, making them important to consider.
Salary.com job board provides millions of CNC Machinist I information for you to search for. Click on search button below to see CNC Machinist I job openings or enter a new job title here.
Here are companies hiring for CNC Machinist I and their salaries, click below for more details.
| Core Compensation | ||||
| Core Compensation | Median | % of Total | ||
| Base Salary | $49,460 | 67.4% | ||
| Bonus | $0 | 0.0% | ||
| Value of Benefits | ||||
| Core Compensation | Median | % of Total | ||
| Social Security | $3,784 | 5.2% | ||
| 401K/403B | $2,077 | 2.8% | ||
| Disability | $989 | 1.3% | ||
| Healthcare | $8,352 | 11.4% | ||
| Pension | $2,671 | 3.6% | ||
| Time Off | $6,087 | 8.3% | ||
| Total Compensation | $73,421 | 100% | ||
The highest paid CNC Machinists can earn up to $59,650 annually, with a minimum salary of $47,280 and a mid-range salary of $53,580. Cities like Minneapolis, MN, and Racine, WI, offer competitive hourly rates, contributing to the overall earning potential in this field.
Entry-level CNC plasma cutting machines typically range from $10,000 to $30,000, suitable for small to medium-sized metal fabrication businesses. Mid-range machines cost between $30,000 and $100,000, offering enhanced precision. Considering the CNC Machinist salary data, with a minimum of $47,280 and a mid-range of $53,580, investing in quality machinery can be a viable option for businesses.
CNC Machinists at Lockheed Martin can expect salaries that vary based on experience. The minimum salary is approximately $47,280, with a mid-range salary of around $53,580, and a maximum salary reaching about $59,650. However, recent reports indicate that experienced machinists can earn between $69K and $91K, depending on their location and years of experience.
While CNC machinists typically earn between $47,280 and $59,650 annually, reaching a salary of $100,000 is uncommon without significant experience or specialization. Generally, those with 5 or more years in the field may have opportunities to earn higher wages, but it's not the standard for most machinists.
The highest salary for a CNC Machinist is approximately $59,650 per year. The average starting salary is around $47,280 annually, while the mid-range salary is about $53,580. These figures reflect the potential earnings for CNC Machinists based on experience and skill level.
Yes, you can make a living as a machinist. Professional CNC machinists earn a competitive salary, with a minimum of $47,280, a mid-range salary of $53,580, and a maximum of $59,650 per year. This income level is appealing for those interested in pursuing a career in machining.
Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.
We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)
With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.
