Assembly Worker /Machine Operator Salary in the United States

How much does an Assembly Worker /Machine Operator make in the United States?

As of May 18, 2021, the average salary for an Assembly Worker /Machine Operator in the United States is $41,615 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $20.

However, an Assembly Worker /Machine Operator's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $47,993
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $38,446 to $44,953
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $35,562
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View as table View as graph 25% $38,446 10% $35,562 90% $47,993 75% $44,953 $41,615 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Assembly Worker /Machine Operator Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary		 Monthly
Pay		 Weekly
Pay		 Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $44,953 $3,746 $864 $22
Average $41,615 $3,468 $800 $20
25th Percentile $38,446 $3,204 $739 $18
Check out Assembly Worker /Machine Operator Job Openings in the United States
MACHINE AND ASSEMBLY OPERATOR

Spherion - Mount Hope, OH

Assembly Machine Operator

ITW - Solon, OH

Assembly Machine Operator

ITW - Solon, OH

Machine and Assembly Operator

Spherion - Mount Hope, OH

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Key Factors That Influence Assembly Worker /Machine Operator Salaries

An Assembly Worker /Machine Operator's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Assembly Worker /Machine Operator Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Assembly Worker /Machine Operator's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $40,968
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $45,522
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $51,620
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $64,894
  • Expert (over 8 years): $90,520
Levels Salary
Assembly ... Level Assembly Worker /Machine Operator$40,968
Machine O... Level Assembly Worker /Machine Operator$45,522
Machine O... Level Assembly Worker /Machine Operator$51,620
Machine O... Level Assembly Worker /Machine Operator$64,894
Machine O... Level Assembly Worker /Machine Operator$90,520
$40,968 0 yr
$45,522 < 2 yrs
$51,620 2-4 yrs
$64,894 5-8 yrs
$90,520 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

How Do Assembly Worker /Machine Operator Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Assembly Worker /Machine Operators. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $46,076.
  • California: $45,901.
  • Massachusetts: $45,289.

Top Paying Cities for Assembly Worker /Machine Operators

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $52,488
  • San Francisco: $51,972
  • Oakland: $50,820

What Skills Can Increase an Assembly Worker /Machine Operator's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Commitment (Mentioned in 3.86% Job Postings): An agreement or pledge to do something in the future a commitment to improve conditions at the prison especially : an engagement to assume a financial obligation at a future date.
  • Machine Operation (Mentioned in 3.15% Job Postings): Applying methods and techniques to implement, maintain, repair, design, and update various machines following specific rules to ensure safety.
  • Container (Mentioned in 2.29% Job Postings): Container is an object used for or capable of holding, esp for transport or storage, such as a carton, box, etc.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Commitment 3.86%
Machine Operation 3.15%
Container 2.29%
What skills can make your compensation higher?
Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on an Assembly Worker /Machine Operator's salary.
  • CNC: Can increase your salary by up to 7%.
  • SOP: Can increase your salary by up to 3%.
  • Coordination: Can increase your salary by up to 2%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
CNC
 $44,528
7%
SOP
 $42,863
3%
Coordination
 $42,447
2%
Time Management
 $42,447
2%
Troubleshooting
 $42,447
2%
Work Ethic
 $42,447
2%
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How Education impacts an Assembly Worker /Machine Operator's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Assembly Worker /Machine Operators enter the field with a No Diploma degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for an Assembly Worker /Machine Operator with a No Diploma is between $37,041 and $39,424).

Assembly Worker /Machine Operator Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Assembly Worker /Machine Operator
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 10.4%
High School 69.8%
Associates 12.5%
Bachelors 7.3%
Masters 0.0%
Doctorate 0.0%
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Assembly Worker /Machine Operator Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Assembly Worker /Machine Operator's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

  • Hourly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Yearly
  • Table View
Last Updated on May 18, 2021
$38,446
Average $41,615/year
$44,953
$3,204
Average $3,468/month
$3,746
$739
Average $800/week
$864
$18
Average $20/hour
$22
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $44,953 $3,746 $864 $22
Average $41,615 $3,468 $800 $20
25th Percentile $38,446 $3,204 $739 $18

Salaries of jobs related to Assembly Worker /Machine Operator

Salary Trends for Assembly Worker /Machine Operator

Salaries for an Assembly Worker /Machine Operator can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $38,302 in 2023 to around $37,772 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Assembly Worker /Machine Operator salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Assembly Worker /Machine Operator Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$38,302
2024
$38,026
2025
$37,772
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $38,302
2024 $38,026
2025 $37,772
2026
View More
2027
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Most common benefits for Assembly Worker /Machine Operator

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

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