Machinist salary in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI
Machinists in the Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI metro area earn a median of $60,320 a year ($29.00 an hour), based on BLS data for 4,230 workers.
Pay ranges from $44,190 for the lowest-paid 10% to $78,560 for the top 10%. That is 3% higher than the national median of $58,750. Pay here is 2% higher than the Wisconsin statewide median of $59,110. There are 5.2 machinists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.8× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $59,460, close to the median.
Pay range for machinists in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $44,190 | $21.24 |
| 25th percentile | $48,940 | $23.53 |
| Median | $60,320 | $29.00 |
| 75th percentile | $63,910 | $30.73 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $78,560 | $37.77 |
| Average (mean) | $59,460 | $28.59 |
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 | $5,026.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,513.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,320 |
| Weekly | $1,160 |
| Hourly | $29.00 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $60,320 salary, see how much house you can afford in Wisconsin 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Duluth, MN-WI | $69,440 | 330 |
| La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN | $62,960 | 170 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $62,070 | 9,420 |
| Madison, WI | $60,830 | 700 |
| Eau Claire, WI | $60,580 | 220 |
| Appleton, WI | $60,350 | 660 |
| Green Bay, WI | $60,270 | 660 |
| Oshkosh-Neenah, WI | $60,070 | 340 |
| Kenosha, WI | $59,800 | 230 |
| Racine-Mount Pleasant, WI | $57,720 | 450 |
| Fond du Lac, WI | $57,700 | 550 |
| Sheboygan, WI | $55,130 | 560 |
| Wausau, WI | $53,680 | 360 |
| Janesville-Beloit, WI | $46,810 | 340 |
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 Wisconsin statewide figures.
Related jobs in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI
More: Production Occupations · all salaries in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI
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 Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI?
The median salary for machinists in the Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI metro area is $60,320 a year, or $29.00 an hour. Pay ranges from $44,190 for the lowest-paid 10% to $78,560 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid machinists make in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI?
The top 10% of machinists in the Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI metro area earn at least $78,560 a year. The top 25% earn $63,910 or more.
What is the starting pay for machinists in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $44,190 a year, and a quarter of machinists earn $48,940 or less.
How many machinists work in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI?
About 4,230 machinists are employed in the Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI metro area, not counting the self-employed.