Machinists Salary in Santa Cruz, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA

Median annual salary $52,500 -6.5% vs national
Median hourly $25.24
10th percentile $43,010
90th percentile $79,100
Employed locally 70
National median $56,150

Compare Machinists salary & buying power

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Machinists
in
Santa Cruz, CA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $43,010
    25th
    $45,890
    50th (median)
    $52,500
    75th
    $64,510
    90th
    $79,100

    Santa Cruz economic context

    Unemployment rate 5.90% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $109,266 2023 • Census ACS
    Machinists salary vs area income 48% Median Machinists salary is 52% 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 Santa Cruz, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators $45,660
    Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders $41,750
    First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers $70,680
    Bakers $38,330
    Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers $50,570
    Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers $48,830

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Machinists make per hour in Santa Cruz?

    The median hourly wage for Machinists in Santa Cruz, CA is $25.24, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $44.30 or more per hour.

    Is Santa Cruz above or below average for Machinists salaries?

    The median Machinists salary in Santa Cruz, CA is 6.5% 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 Santa Cruz?

    Entry-level Machinists (10th percentile) earn around $43,010 per year in Santa Cruz, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $45,890.