verified BLS-Verified Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) May 2025 release

Machinist Salary in North Carolina

Median Annual in North Carolina
$55,230/yr
Median Hourly Wage
$26.56/hr
▼ 6% below U.S. median

Salary Distribution in North Carolina

groups Employed in NC
8,330
public U.S. Median
$58,750
savings Real pay (cost-adjusted)
$58,552 #35 of 51

Machinist pay in North Carolina, explained

Machinists in North Carolina earn a median of $55,230 per year ($26.56 per hour), which is 6% below the national median of $58,750. Entry-level workers earn around $37,110, while the most experienced machinists reach about $75,570. Pay varies by employer, setting, and metro area within North Carolina.

Is $55,230 good pay in North Carolina?

Adjusted for North Carolina's cost of living (which runs 94% of the U.S. average), that $55,230 is worth about $58,552 in national buying power — ranking North Carolina #35 for real pay (vs #42 on the sticker number).

See the full Machinist Real Pay Index arrow_forward

Machinist pay by experience in North Carolina

Entry level (10th pct)
$37,110
$17.84/hr
Median
Mid-career (50th pct)
$55,230
$26.56/hr
Experienced (90th pct)
$75,570
$36.33/hr

Machinist pay in neighboring states

StateMedian / yrReal payvs NC
North Carolina (here) $55,230 $58,552
Virginia $61,290 $60,621 −$6,060
South Carolina $57,970 $61,835 −$2,740
Georgia $52,610 $54,635 +$2,620
Tennessee $49,600 $53,989 +$5,630

Machinist in North Carolina: FAQ

How much do machinists make in North Carolina?

Machinists in North Carolina earn a median of $55,230 per year ($26.56 per hour), compared with $58,750 nationally.

Does North Carolina pay machinists well?

At $55,230, North Carolina pays 6% below the national median for machinists. An estimated 8,330 work in the state.

Machinist salary in other states

All 51 states ranked arrow_forward

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