Machinists Salary in San Jose, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA

Median annual salary $62,870 +12% vs national
Median hourly $30.23
10th percentile $42,600
90th percentile $103,760
Employed locally 1,830
National median $56,150

Compare Machinists salary & buying power

Type a city below to see how San Jose, CA stacks up on salary and cost of living.

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Machinists
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San Jose, CA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $42,600
    25th
    $53,680
    50th (median)
    $62,870
    75th
    $80,760
    90th
    $103,760

    San Jose economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.20% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $157,444 2023 • Census ACS
    Machinists salary vs area income 40% Median Machinists salary is 60% 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
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $66,320
    Eastern Sierra-Mother Lode Region of California nonmetropolitan area $64,510
    San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA $63,650
    Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH $63,600
    Casper, WY $61,140
    Raleigh-Cary, NC $61,040

    Related occupations in San Jose, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers $48,430
    Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators $51,210
    Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers $58,460
    First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers $88,990
    Production Workers, All Other $47,670
    Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators $59,030

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Machinists make per hour in San Jose?

    The median hourly wage for Machinists in San Jose, CA is $30.23, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $46.99 or more per hour.

    Is San Jose above or below average for Machinists salaries?

    The median Machinists salary in San Jose, CA is 12% above 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 San Jose?

    Entry-level Machinists (10th percentile) earn around $42,600 per year in San Jose, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $53,680.