Machinist Apprenticeship
Machinists set up and operate the lathes, mills, and CNC machines that turn raw metal into precision parts — aerospace components, medical devices, automotive internals. The job mixes shop-floor operation with blueprint reading, CAM programming, and quality inspection.
National Wage Spread
Annual wages for Machinists across all experience levels, nationwide.
Machinist Wages by State
Median annual wage for Machinists by state, sorted highest to lowest. Click any state to see registered sponsors and local programs.
| State | Median Wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $101,810 | 230 |
| Hawaii | $77,060 | 290 |
| Alaska | $72,710 | 140 |
| Washington | $64,510 | 6,980 |
| Wyoming | $64,020 | 300 |
| Massachusetts | $62,420 | 7,870 |
| Oregon | $62,120 | 3,220 |
| New Jersey | $62,010 | 3,530 |
| Maine | $61,950 | 1,560 |
| Montana | $61,230 | 680 |
| Connecticut | $61,090 | 6,070 |
| Virginia | $60,920 | 6,140 |
| Utah | $60,450 | 3,680 |
| Delaware | $60,320 | 390 |
| New York | $60,220 | 8,870 |
| New Hampshire | $59,910 | 1,540 |
| Minnesota | $59,860 | 14,910 |
| Rhode Island | $59,490 | 860 |
| Arizona | $59,020 | 5,280 |
| Colorado | $58,890 | 2,580 |
| Louisiana | $58,710 | 4,980 |
| Maryland | $58,240 | 1,600 |
| North Dakota | $58,110 | 500 |
| Nebraska | $58,060 | 2,210 |
| Missouri | $57,920 | 8,200 |
| New Mexico | $57,520 | 830 |
| Illinois | $56,700 | 16,100 |
| California | $56,220 | 21,580 |
| Ohio | $56,200 | 14,110 |
| Texas | $56,040 | 20,770 |
| Nevada | $55,580 | 860 |
| North Carolina | $55,520 | 8,310 |
| Idaho | $53,760 | 1,150 |
| Kentucky | $53,630 | 4,150 |
| Iowa | $53,400 | 3,010 |
| Alabama | $53,320 | 5,620 |
| South Carolina | $53,040 | 4,530 |
| Pennsylvania | $52,560 | 15,060 |
| Wisconsin | $52,030 | 12,530 |
| Oklahoma | $51,980 | 4,020 |
| Florida | $50,570 | 8,240 |
| Mississippi | $50,460 | 2,110 |
| Michigan | $49,930 | 23,090 |
| South Dakota | $49,830 | 580 |
| Georgia | $49,420 | 6,930 |
| Vermont | $49,040 | 380 |
| Indiana | $48,910 | 16,510 |
| Arkansas | $48,820 | 2,390 |
| Tennessee | $48,610 | 7,730 |
| Kansas | $48,490 | 4,070 |
| West Virginia | $47,980 | 1,530 |
Machinist Apprenticeship Overview
A Machinist apprenticeship is one of the most established paths into the skilled trades. With a national median salary of $56,150/yr, Machinists earn well above the average American worker — and they start earning from day one of training, with no tuition debt.
Looking ahead, Machinist employment is expected to grow 0.0% by 2034. About 29,500 openings per year — driven heavily by retirements in an aging workforce — keep demand for apprentices high.
The wage range for Machinists runs from $38,100 (entry-level markets) to $78,760 (experienced workers in top-paying states). Location, union membership, and specialization all push wages higher.
Prefer Trade School Instead?
Apprenticeships pay from day one, but some people prefer the classroom-first path. Machinists also come up through trade school programs — shorter timeline, more upfront cost, and a credential before entering the workforce.
Or jump straight to a specific school: