How much does a machinist make in Santa Cruz?
$51,420a year
Median yearly pay for machinists in the Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA metro area. That is $24.72 an hour or $4,285 a month.
- Hourly
- $24.72
- Vs. national median
- -12%
- Rank among cities
- 263 of 361
- Jobs in the area
- 70
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $38,650Median: $51,420Highest 10%: $92,140
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $38,650 | $18.58 | |
| 25th | $44,450 | $21.37 | |
| Median | $51,420 | $24.72 | |
| 75th | $67,010 | $32.22 | |
| 90th | $92,140 | $44.30 |
Other cities in California
Median yearly pay for machinists.
| San Francisco, CA | $67,750 |
| San Jose, CA | $63,540 |
| San Diego, CA | $61,420 |
| Vallejo, CA | $59,850 |
| Santa Maria, CA | $58,690 |
| Sacramento, CA | $57,900 |
| Oxnard, CA | $56,530 |
| Salinas, CA | $56,490 |
| Santa Rosa, CA | $56,200 |
| Modesto, CA | $55,950 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $55,660 |
| Redding, CA | $55,260 |
| Fresno, CA | $54,580 |
| San Luis Obispo, CA | $53,510 |
| Stockton, CA | $50,920 |
| Bakersfield, CA | $50,680 |
| Visalia, CA | $49,750 |
| Riverside, CA | $49,440 |
Related jobs in Santa Cruz
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operator | $94,060 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Worker | $74,690 |
| Coating | $61,260 |
| Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator | $59,280 |
| Separating | $55,560 |
| Inspector | $51,210 |
| Welder | $50,840 |
| Cabinetmaker and Bench Carpenter | $49,340 |
| Electrical | $49,280 |
| Miscellaneous Assembler and Fabricator | $47,560 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a machinist make an hour in Santa Cruz?
The median hourly pay in the Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA metro area is $24.72 ($51,420 a year).
Do machinists make more in Santa Cruz than the national average?
No: $51,420 against $58,750 nationally, 12% less.
How does Santa Cruz compare with the rest of California?
The median in California is $57,190, so Santa Cruz pays 10% less.
Where does Santa Cruz rank for machinist pay?
263 of 361 metro areas with data.
How much does a machinist make starting out in Santa Cruz?
The lowest-paid 10% make $38,650 or less a year; the top 10% make $92,140 or more.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.