How much does a machine tool operator make?
a year · about $23 an hour
A typical machine tool operator in the United States makes $47,180 a year, about $23 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 work order or blueprint and set up a lathe, drill, or cutter to shape metal or plastic. They watch for faults, measure finished pieces, adjust settings, and clean or log the work.
Did you know? Automation can let operators run several machines at once, so one person may watch multiple parts being made.
Is that a lot?
Compared with jobs you knowIf 100 people had this job
Most earn between $35,780 and $74,450How do you become one?
In the U.S., most people finish high school or earn a GED, then start as trainees and learn beside experienced operators; basic machine training may take months, and CNC work can take up to a year. A registered apprenticeship is another route.
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 United States, experienced operators and workers who can handle complex machine setups may earn more than beginners. Pay also varies by employer and industry, location, and whether they work evenings, weekends, or overtime.
Where does it pay most?
Highest in West Virginia ($76,080), lowest in Mississippi ($36,330).
See every state
Top 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
Jobs like this
Data table and sources
| Lower earner (10th from bottom) | Typical person (median) | Higher earner (10th from top) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|---|
| $35,780 | $47,180 | $74,450 | about 125,000 |
| State | Typical person (median) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| West Virginia | $76,080 | about 2,000 |
| Kentucky | $54,960 | about 6,000 |
| Missouri | $53,160 | about 7,000 |
| Nebraska | $50,960 | about 1,000 |
| Virginia | $50,600 | about 1,000 |
Official definition: Set up, operate, or tend more than one type of cutting or forming machine tool or robot.
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/summary/51-4081.00
- www.mynextmove.org/profile/summary/51-4081.00
- www.bls.gov/ooh/production/metal-and-plastic-machine-workers.htm
- www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2015/article/wage-differences.htm
- www.bls.gov/oes/2023/may/oes514081.htm
Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY