Machinist salary in Phoenix, AZ
Typical pay is $30.00/hr in Phoenix, AZ. Based on 13 job postings from the last 12 months.
What the range looks like
- 10th percentile Entry level / starting out
- $27.50/hr
- 25th percentile Below typical
- $28.00/hr
- Median Half earn more, half earn less
- $30.00/hr
- 75th percentile Above typical
- $31.50/hr
- 90th percentile Experienced / specialised
- $32.30/hr
Source: 13 LocalWork job postings in Phoenix, AZ from the last 12 months that stated pay. Advertised pay, not verified earnings.
Advertised pay vs. government data
See what's hiring now
13 open machinists in Phoenix, AZ on LocalWork right now.
What a machinist does
Machinists produce precision metal parts using manual and CNC machine tools, working to tight tolerances from engineering drawings.
Day-to-day duties
- Set up and operate CNC and manual machines
- Read engineering drawings and GD&T
- Programme or edit CNC toolpaths
- Inspect parts with precision instruments
- Maintain machines and tooling
Skills employers look for
- Precision measurement
- Blueprint and GD&T interpretation
- CNC programming
- Mathematical aptitude
Requirements
- Apprenticeship or technical programme
- CNC programming knowledge for higher-paid roles
- Precision measurement competence
- NIMS certification valued
How to get started
- 1 Start as a machine operator
- 2 Learn setup and programming
- 3 Earn NIMS or equivalent certification
- 4 Move into programming, prototyping or aerospace work
Job outlook: Skilled CNC machinists remain in short supply in manufacturing regions, and aerospace and medical work pays a premium.
Common questions about machinists in Phoenix, AZ
How much does a machinist make in Phoenix, AZ?
The median pay for a machinist in Phoenix, AZ is $30.00 an hour — about $62,400 a year full time. That is based on 13 job postings on LocalWork from the last 12 months that stated pay, so it reflects what employers are advertising rather than verified earnings. Half of the roles pay more than this and half pay less, so treat it as the middle of the market rather than a target.
What is the pay range for machinists in Phoenix, AZ?
Most machinists in Phoenix, AZ earn between $27.50 an hour and $32.30 an hour — that is the 10th to the 90th percentile. The spread usually reflects experience, shift, certifications and employer size more than anything else.
How much do entry-level machinists make in Phoenix, AZ?
Pay at the bottom of the range — roughly what someone starting out can expect — is around $27.50 an hour in Phoenix, AZ. A quarter of machinists earn below $28.00 an hour, so the first year or two typically sits in that band.
What do the highest-paid machinists earn?
The top 10% of machinists in Phoenix, AZ earn about $32.30 an hour or more. Getting there usually means experience plus something specific — certifications, supervisory duties, specialised skills or premium shifts.
What does a machinist do?
Machinists produce precision metal parts using manual and CNC machine tools, working to tight tolerances from engineering drawings. Day to day, that means set up and operate CNC and manual machines, read engineering drawings and GD&T, programme or edit CNC toolpaths and inspect parts with precision instruments.
How do you become a machinist?
The usual route is: (1) start as a machine operator, (2) learn setup and programming, (3) earn NIMS or equivalent certification, (4) move into programming, prototyping or aerospace work. Employers typically look for apprenticeship or technical programme, CNC programming knowledge for higher-paid roles and precision measurement competence.
Do you need a certification to work as a machinist?
Usually not. Most employers hire machinists without a specific licence, though NIMS certification valued will widen your options and often your pay.
Are machinists in demand in Phoenix, AZ?
There are currently 13 open machinists in Phoenix, AZ listed on LocalWork. Skilled CNC machinists remain in short supply in manufacturing regions, and aerospace and medical work pays a premium.
Where are machinists most in demand?
See the metro and rural areas with the highest concentration of this work, ranked from Bureau of Labor Statistics employment data.
Similar roles in Phoenix, AZ
Pay figures are estimates for guidance only, not an offer or guarantee. Advertised ranges come from job postings on LocalWork; government figures come from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Actual pay depends on experience, certifications, shift and employer.