Machinists Salary in San Luis Obispo, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA

Median annual salary $57,160 +1.8% vs national
Median hourly $27.48
10th percentile $37,210
90th percentile $145,880
Employed locally 160
National median $56,150

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Machinists
in
San Luis Obispo, CA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $37,210
    25th
    $48,040
    50th (median)
    $57,160
    75th
    $77,190
    90th
    $145,880

    San Luis Obispo economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.10% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $93,398 2023 • Census ACS
    Machinists salary vs area income 61% Median Machinists salary is 39% 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
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $62,870
    Casper, WY $61,140

    Related occupations in San Luis Obispo, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators $44,280
    Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders $58,100
    Bakers $38,280
    First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers $78,630
    Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders $39,840
    Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers $44,480

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Machinists make per hour in San Luis Obispo?

    The median hourly wage for Machinists in San Luis Obispo, CA is $27.48, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $36.72 or more per hour.

    Is San Luis Obispo above or below average for Machinists salaries?

    The median Machinists salary in San Luis Obispo, CA is 1.8% 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 Luis Obispo?

    Entry-level Machinists (10th percentile) earn around $37,210 per year in San Luis Obispo, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $48,040.