Machinists Salary in Ames, IA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Ames, IA

Median annual salary $52,750 -6.1% vs national
Median hourly $25.36
10th percentile $42,860
90th percentile $72,790
Employed locally 80
National median $56,150

Compare Machinists salary & buying power

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Machinists
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Ames, IA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $42,860
    25th
    $45,950
    50th (median)
    $52,750
    75th
    $62,920
    90th
    $72,790

    Ames economic context

    Unemployment rate 2.40% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $71,090 2023 • Census ACS
    Machinists salary vs area income 74% Median Machinists salary is 26% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Machinists

    Metro areaMedian salary
    District of Columbia $101,810
    Northern New Mexico nonmetropolitan area $85,530
    Bloomington, IL $81,240
    Florence-Muscle Shoals, AL $80,150
    Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA $78,580
    Barnstable Town, MA $77,650

    Nearby metros — Machinists salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    District of Columbia $101,810
    Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV $74,780
    Eastern Sierra-Mother Lode Region of California nonmetropolitan area $64,510
    Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA $61,970
    Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD $61,290
    Virginia $60,920

    Related occupations in Ames, IA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators$47,250
    Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders$47,630
    First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers$67,220
    Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers$49,310
    Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers$59,950
    Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$48,150

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Machinists make per hour in Ames?

    The median hourly wage for Machinists in Ames, IA is $25.36, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $35.61 or more per hour.

    Is Ames above or below average for Machinists salaries?

    The median Machinists salary in Ames, IA is 6.1% below the national median of $56,150. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Machinists in Ames?

    Entry-level Machinists (10th percentile) earn around $42,860 per year in Ames, IA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $45,950.