Machinist salary in District of Columbia
Machinists in District of Columbia earn a median of $72,900 a year ($35.05 an hour), based on BLS data for 160 workers.
Pay ranges from $56,570 for the lowest-paid 10% to $98,850 for the top 10%. That is 24% higher than the national median of $58,750. District of Columbia ranks 3rd of 51 states for machinists pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.22 machinists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.12). The average (mean) salary is $73,260, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for machinists in District of Columbia
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $56,570 | $27.20 |
| 25th percentile | $56,570 | $27.20 |
| Median | $72,900 | $35.05 |
| 75th percentile | $72,900 | $35.05 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $98,850 | $47.52 |
| Average (mean) | $73,260 | $35.22 |
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 | $6,075 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,037.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,803.85 |
| Weekly | $1,401.92 |
| Hourly | $35.05 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $72,900 salary, see how much house you can afford in District of Columbia at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Machinist salary in cities in District of Columbia
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $68,850 | 620 |
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 |
Related jobs in District of Columbia
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $60,180 | $28.93 |
| Baker | $44,040 | $21.17 |
| Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators | $90,470 | $43.50 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $80,030 | $38.47 |
| Printing Press Operator | $116,630 | $56.07 |
| Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers | $37,790 | $18.17 |
| Print Binding and Finishing Workers | $108,080 | $51.96 |
| Prepress Technicians and Workers | $100,980 | $48.55 |
| Butchers and Meat Cutters | $48,760 | $23.44 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $50,330 | $24.20 |
| Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers | $57,720 | $27.75 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $59,730 | $28.71 |
| Production Workers, All Other | $109,470 | $52.63 |
More: Production Occupations · all salaries in District of Columbia
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 District of Columbia?
The median salary for machinists in District of Columbia is $72,900 a year, or $35.05 an hour. Pay ranges from $56,570 for the lowest-paid 10% to $98,850 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid machinists make in District of Columbia?
The top 10% of machinists in District of Columbia earn at least $98,850 a year. The top 25% earn $72,900 or more.
What is the starting pay for machinists in District of Columbia?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $56,570 a year, and a quarter of machinists earn $56,570 or less.
How many machinists work in District of Columbia?
About 160 machinists are employed in District of Columbia, not counting the self-employed.