Machinist salary in Trenton-Princeton, NJ
Machinists in the Trenton-Princeton, NJ metro area earn a median of $71,290 a year ($34.27 an hour), based on BLS data for 120 workers.
Pay ranges from $46,200 for the lowest-paid 10% to $114,400 for the top 10%. That is 21% higher than the national median of $58,750. Pay here is 13% higher than the New Jersey statewide median of $63,190. There are 0.50 machinists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.27). The average (mean) salary is $73,430, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for machinists in Trenton-Princeton, NJ
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $46,200 | $22.21 |
| 25th percentile | $53,730 | $25.83 |
| Median | $71,290 | $34.27 |
| 75th percentile | $84,020 | $40.39 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $114,400 | $55.00 |
| Average (mean) | $73,430 | $35.30 |
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 | $5,940.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,970.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,741.92 |
| Weekly | $1,370.96 |
| Hourly | $34.27 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $71,290 salary, see how much house you can afford in New Jersey 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Atlantic City-Hammonton, NJ | $64,400 | 30 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $62,750 | 4,300 |
| Vineland, NJ | $62,330 | 50 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $61,280 | 3,330 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | $59,330 | 630 |
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 New Jersey statewide figures.
Related jobs in Trenton-Princeton, NJ
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $54,640 | $26.27 |
| Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $37,700 | $18.13 |
| Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $39,000 | $18.75 |
| Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $37,790 | $18.17 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $36,000 | $17.31 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $48,990 | $23.56 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $78,240 | $37.62 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $39,320 | $18.90 |
| Baker | $37,770 | $18.16 |
| Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers | $47,490 | $22.83 |
| Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers | $34,860 | $16.76 |
| Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders | $55,230 | $26.55 |
| Production Workers, All Other | $34,440 | $16.56 |
| Printing Press Operator | $55,920 | $26.89 |
More: Production Occupations · all salaries in Trenton-Princeton, NJ
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 Trenton-Princeton, NJ?
The median salary for machinists in the Trenton-Princeton, NJ metro area is $71,290 a year, or $34.27 an hour. Pay ranges from $46,200 for the lowest-paid 10% to $114,400 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid machinists make in Trenton-Princeton, NJ?
The top 10% of machinists in the Trenton-Princeton, NJ metro area earn at least $114,400 a year. The top 25% earn $84,020 or more.
What is the starting pay for machinists in Trenton-Princeton, NJ?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $46,200 a year, and a quarter of machinists earn $53,730 or less.
How many machinists work in Trenton-Princeton, NJ?
About 120 machinists are employed in the Trenton-Princeton, NJ metro area, not counting the self-employed.