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Occupation · SOC 51-4041

Machinists

There are 287,050 jobs in the U.S. Median pay is $58,750 a year. The most jobs are in Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–IN.

ProductionTypical education: High school diploma or equivalent
287,050
Jobs in the U.S.
People employed, May 2025
$58,750
Median pay a year
Middle half: $47,570–$67,700
26,100
Annual openings
10-year change: +1%
0
LCA filings, last 4 quarters

Metro areas with the highest employment

10 of 363 metro areas with BLS data for this occupation. LCA filings: Apr 2025–Mar 2026.

Metro areaEmploymentMedian payLCA filings
Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INMedian pay $59,520 · LCA filings 011,270$59,5200
Minneapolis–St. Paul–Bloomington, MN–WIMedian pay $62,070 · LCA filings 09,420$62,0700
Houston–Pasadena–The Woodlands, TXMedian pay $61,280 · LCA filings 08,140$61,2800
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CAMedian pay $55,660 · LCA filings 07,850$55,6600
Detroit–Warren–Dearborn, MIMedian pay $59,310 · LCA filings 07,680$59,3100
St. Louis, MO–ILMedian pay $62,210 · LCA filings 05,620$62,2100
Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA–NHMedian pay $72,060 · LCA filings 04,870$72,0600
Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, TXMedian pay $59,830 · LCA filings 04,660$59,8300
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJMedian pay $62,750 · LCA filings 04,300$62,7500
Seattle–Tacoma–Bellevue, WAMedian pay $74,560 · LCA filings 04,250$74,5600

Metro areas with the highest median pay

Median pay for this occupation in each metro area, May 2025.

Metro areaMedian payEmploymentLCA filings
Urban Honolulu, HIEmployment 250 · LCA filings 0$84,4102500
Florence–Muscle Shoals, ALEmployment 160 · LCA filings 0$82,6901600
Bremerton–Silverdale–Port Orchard, WAEmployment 370 · LCA filings 0$80,6203700
Barnstable Town, MAEmployment 30 · LCA filings 0$77,650300
Lake Charles, LAEmployment 280 · LCA filings 0$75,5802800

Prevailing wage levels (H-1B and PERM)

The minimum yearly wage by level. Level I is entry level and Level IV is fully competent; an H-1B employer must pay at least the level that fits the job.

Metro areaLevel ILevel IILevel IIILevel IV
Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INLevel II $51,834 · Level III $60,424 · Level IV $69,014$43,243$51,834$60,424$69,014
Minneapolis–St. Paul–Bloomington, MN–WILevel II $55,453 · Level III $62,920 · Level IV $70,387$47,986$55,453$62,920$70,387
Houston–Pasadena–The Woodlands, TXLevel II $53,352 · Level III $62,379 · Level IV $71,427$44,304$53,352$62,379$71,427
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CALevel II $48,422 · Level III $57,054 · Level IV $65,666$39,811$48,422$57,054$65,666
Detroit–Warren–Dearborn, MILevel II $50,565 · Level III $58,115 · Level IV $65,666$43,014$50,565$58,115$65,666
St. Louis, MO–ILLevel II $56,763 · Level III $64,522 · Level IV $72,259$49,026$56,763$64,522$72,259
Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA–NHLevel II $61,901 · Level III $71,240 · Level IV $80,600$52,541$61,901$71,240$80,600
Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, TXLevel II $52,208 · Level III $60,944 · Level IV $69,659$43,493$52,208$60,944$69,659
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJLevel II $56,306 · Level III $65,936 · Level IV $75,566$46,675$56,306$65,936$75,566
Seattle–Tacoma–Bellevue, WALevel II $65,021 · Level III $75,088 · Level IV $85,176$54,933$65,021$75,088$85,176

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027.

Related majors

Majors most closely related to this occupation. International graduates: 2024–25 academic year.

MajorInternational graduatesSTEM OPT
Precision Metal WorkingCIP 48.05OPT · up to 12 months261OPT · up to 12 months

See Machinists in every metro area

All 363 metro areas, pay in each, related majors, schools in each job market, and employers with LCA filing history.

Employers with LCA filings for this occupation

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Related occupations · Production

Miscellaneous Assemblers and FabricatorsInspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and WeighersFirst-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating WorkersPackaging and Filling Machine Operators and TendersWelders, Cutters, Solderers, and BrazersBakersLaundry and Dry-Cleaning WorkersProduction Workers, All Other

Sources: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 · BLS Employment Projections 2025-35 · U.S. Department of Labor LCA disclosure data, Apr 2025–Mar 2026 · IPEDS 2024–25. Prevailing wages: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027. Methodology