Machinist salary in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
Machinists in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn a median of $59,290 a year ($28.51 an hour), based on BLS data for 210 workers.
Pay ranges from $38,270 for the lowest-paid 10% to $74,380 for the top 10%. That is 1% higher than the national median of $58,750. Pay here is 3% higher than the Iowa statewide median of $57,540. There are 0.52 machinists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.28). The average (mean) salary is $56,640, close to the median.
Pay range for machinists in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,270 | $18.40 |
| 25th percentile | $48,350 | $23.25 |
| Median | $59,290 | $28.51 |
| 75th percentile | $63,670 | $30.61 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $74,380 | $35.76 |
| Average (mean) | $56,640 | $27.23 |
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 | $4,940.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,470.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,280.38 |
| Weekly | $1,140.19 |
| Hourly | $28.51 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $59,290 salary, see how much house you can afford in Iowa at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Machinist salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $61,710 | 600 |
| Ames, IA | $60,200 | 60 |
| Dubuque, IA | $58,890 | 180 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $58,540 | 240 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $58,100 | 180 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $56,350 | 80 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $56,000 | 180 |
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 Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $59,980 | $28.84 |
| Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $48,700 | $23.42 |
| Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $42,290 | $20.33 |
| Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $52,980 | $25.47 |
| Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $48,510 | $23.32 |
| Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $44,890 | $21.58 |
| Tool and Die Makers | $73,170 | $35.18 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $47,880 | $23.02 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $71,150 | $34.21 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $50,850 | $24.45 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $51,100 | $24.57 |
| Butchers and Meat Cutters | $36,770 | $17.68 |
| Baker | $37,680 | $18.12 |
| Production Workers, All Other | $40,660 | $19.55 |
More: Production Occupations · all salaries in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
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 Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The median salary for machinists in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area is $59,290 a year, or $28.51 an hour. Pay ranges from $38,270 for the lowest-paid 10% to $74,380 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid machinists make in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The top 10% of machinists in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn at least $74,380 a year. The top 25% earn $63,670 or more.
What is the starting pay for machinists in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $38,270 a year, and a quarter of machinists earn $48,350 or less.
How many machinists work in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
About 210 machinists are employed in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.