How much does a lathe operator make?
a year · about $24 an hour
A typical lathe operator in the United States makes $50,620 a year, about $24 an hour, about the same as a typical US worker (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
What do they do?
They read a blueprint, secure a cutting tool, and set the lathe spinning to shape a metal or plastic piece. They check the part with gauges or micrometers, adjust the machine, and replace worn tools.
Did you know? Wood lathes were already being used in France by 1569—centuries before modern CNC machines.
Is that a lot?
Compared with jobs you knowIf 100 people had this job
Most earn between $36,670 and $69,700How do you become one?
A common U.S. path is to finish high school or earn a GED, then learn in a shop; training can take days to a year. Registered apprenticeships include CNC turning and engine-lathe setup, while CNC programmers may need further schooling.
School needed: High school plus some training
Good for people who like building and doing and keeping things organized
Why does pay differ?
In the U.S., experience and useful skills—such as setting up or programming CNC lathes—can affect what a lathe operator earns. Pay also varies by employer, industry, and location; work hours and evening or weekend shifts can differ too.
Where does it pay most?
Highest in Massachusetts ($60,870), lowest in Tennessee ($40,730).
See every state
Top 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
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Data table and sources
| Lower earner (10th from bottom) | Typical person (median) | Higher earner (10th from top) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|---|
| $36,670 | $50,620 | $69,700 | about 17,000 |
| State | Typical person (median) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | $60,870 | about 690 |
| California | $60,180 | about 3,000 |
| Pennsylvania | $57,020 | about 580 |
| Illinois | $54,930 | about 1,000 |
| New York | $50,760 | about 530 |
Official definition: Set up, operate, or tend lathe and turning machines to turn, bore, thread, form, or face metal or plastic materials, such as wire, rod, or bar stock.
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 (bls.gov); descriptions and related jobs from O*NET 31.0. Figures as of May 2025, full-time yearly pay (hourly × 2,080 hours). bls.gov/oes · O*NET OnLine
Pages used for the text
- www.onetonline.org/link/details/51-4034.00
- www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2015/article/wage-differences.htm
- www.bls.gov/oes/2023/may/oes514034.htm
- www.bls.gov/ooh/production/metal-and-plastic-machine-workers.htm
- www.britannica.com/technology/lathe
Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY