Machinists pay range in State College
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $37,110 a year or less, while the top 10% make $73,330 or more. The middle half of machinists in State College earn between $46,230 and $61,110.
- $37K10th
- $46K25th
- $51KMedian
- $61K75th
- $73K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $53,470 | $4,456 | $25.71 |
| Median | $50,900 | $4,242 | $24.47 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $46,230 | $3,852 | $22.23 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $61,110 | $5,092 | $29.38 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Machinists pay in State College vs. Pennsylvania and the U.S.
Machinists in State College earn 6% less than the Pennsylvania average ($57,080) and 10% less than the U.S. average ($59,320). At the median the gap is -13% against the U.S. median of $58,750.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| State College | $53,470 | $50,900 | $37,110 | $73,330 | 120 |
| Pennsylvania | $57,080 | $57,810 | $39,620 | $77,090 | 12,380 |
| United States | $59,320 | $58,750 | $39,200 | $80,010 | 287,050 |
State and U.S. rows: BLS statewide and national estimates, May 2025, which include rural areas.
Machinists salary after taxes in State College
On the average salary of $53,470, a single filer in State College takes home about $43,502 a year, or $3,625 a month and $1,673 every two weeks. Taxes take 19% of gross pay.
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules). Local earned income taxes (for example Philadelphia's wage tax) are not included.
Is State College a good place for machinists? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the State College area are 3% below the U.S. average (BEA price parity 96.8), so the average $53,470 buys what about $55,259 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 1.0 times the median wage of all jobs in State College ($49,220). A typical home costs $353,680, or 6.6 years of this average salary before tax.
Machinists salary in other Pennsylvania cities
State College ranks 11th of 16 Pennsylvania metro areas for this job; Philadelphia pays the most ($62,130).
- Philadelphia$62,130
- Reading$57,860
- Allentown$57,110
- York$57,100
- Harrisburg$56,640
- Erie$56,230
- Williamsport$56,150
- Pittsburgh$55,870
- Lancaster$55,720
- State College$53,470
Highest-paying cities for machinists
Honolulu, HI pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($81,140).
- Honolulu, HI$81,140
- Bremerton, WA$79,720
- Barnstable, MA$77,800
- Florence, AL$77,420
- San Francisco, CA$76,240
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Machinists salary in State College: questions
How much do machinists make an hour in State College?
$25.71 an hour on average, and $24.47 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level machinists salary in State College?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $37,110 a year and the 25th percentile is $46,230, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the machinists take-home pay in State College?
About $43,502 a year ($3,625 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $53,470. Local earned income taxes (for example Philadelphia's wage tax) are not included.
Do machinists earn more in State College than elsewhere?
The average here is 10% less than the U.S. average for this job ($59,320).
Sources and how to read this page
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 51-4041; area State College, PA (44300). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 1.9%.
- U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
- Home value: Zillow Home Value Index. Typical-wage figure: OEWS all occupations, same metro.
- Take-home pay: Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules). Local earned income taxes (for example Philadelphia's wage tax) are not included.
- Job concentration: location quotient 0.98, this job is about as common as in the U.S. overall.
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