Engine and other machine assemblers salary
| Measure | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $38,500 | $18.51 |
| Median (50th percentile) | $53,710 | $25.82 |
| Mean (average) | $57,790 | $27.78 |
| 90th percentile | $77,750 | $37.38 |
These wages describe everyone employed in the occupation, from new entrants to experienced workers. They are not starting salaries and not earnings of graduates from any particular program. Verified data
Engine and other machine assemblers pay by state and metro area
Table: median wage and employment for all 36 states and territories
| State | Median | 10th pct | 90th pct | Employment | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Data unavailable | 2,520 | 5.45 | ||
| Arizona | $54,100 | $37,260 | $74,760 | 80 | 0.12 |
| Arkansas | $54,620 | $36,010 | $60,590 | 70 | 0.26 |
| California | $46,810 | $36,080 | $73,990 | 1,170 | 0.29 |
| Colorado | $46,070 | $40,310 | $62,310 | ||
| Connecticut | $61,320 | $46,380 | $87,360 | 170 | 0.46 |
| Florida | $52,660 | $37,690 | $73,320 | 800 | 0.37 |
| Georgia | $38,540 | $37,010 | $65,060 | 410 | 0.38 |
| Idaho | $54,240 | $47,130 | $66,530 | 70 | 0.36 |
| Illinois | $49,630 | $39,480 | $64,260 | 650 | 0.48 |
| Iowa | $46,040 | $42,910 | $62,450 | 60 | 0.16 |
| Kansas | $42,590 | $38,950 | $65,440 | ||
| Kentucky | $41,580 | $38,410 | $48,350 | 1,180 | 2.7 |
| Maryland | $39,120 | $35,970 | $47,150 | 90 | 0.14 |
| Massachusetts | $46,880 | $36,260 | $82,700 | 500 | 0.63 |
| Michigan | $60,950 | $36,750 | $77,750 | 5,030 | 5.22 |
| Minnesota | $58,820 | $39,520 | $76,960 | 270 | 0.41 |
| Mississippi | $46,610 | $33,790 | $72,380 | 580 | 2.28 |
| Missouri | $46,720 | $41,430 | $57,870 | 1,020 | 1.59 |
| Nebraska | $49,590 | $38,940 | $70,520 | 110 | 0.5 |
| New Hampshire | $70,150 | $59,330 | $80,580 | 160 | 1.05 |
| New Jersey | $50,910 | $44,200 | $79,720 | 140 | 0.15 |
| New York | $46,460 | $41,210 | $59,360 | 1,330 | 0.63 |
| North Carolina | $45,750 | $37,980 | $95,660 | 2,750 | 2.55 |
| Ohio | $74,750 | $45,200 | $79,400 | 3,430 | 2.83 |
| Oklahoma | $45,060 | $31,010 | $68,620 | 130 | 0.36 |
| Oregon | $63,420 | $50,740 | $86,850 | 110 | 0.26 |
| Pennsylvania | $52,000 | $39,120 | $64,090 | 90 | 0.07 |
| South Carolina | $46,950 | $39,700 | $64,920 | 1,960 | 3.88 |
| South Dakota | $45,930 | $38,530 | $50,680 | 550 | 5.51 |
| Tennessee | $46,810 | $42,690 | $62,450 | 430 | 0.6 |
| Texas | $47,210 | $35,710 | $65,050 | 490 | 0.16 |
| Utah | $48,730 | $37,790 | $59,240 | 150 | 0.39 |
| Virginia | $36,030 | $32,750 | $62,530 | 570 | 0.64 |
| Washington | $72,800 | $38,650 | $107,770 | 370 | 0.47 |
| Wisconsin | $54,240 | $39,220 | $80,170 | 860 | 1.33 |
A location quotient above 1 means the occupation is more concentrated in that state than in the nation overall.
Metro areas with the most jobs
Highest paying metro areas
Job outlook for engine and other machine assemblers
- Average annual openings, 2025 to 2035: 2,100. Openings include new jobs plus replacement needs when workers retire or leave the occupation. Official projection
- Read the official BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook profile.
These are official BLS projections. ConnectPrep does not alter them or present its own forecasts as official statistics.
Education and training for engine and other machine assemblers
- Typical entry education
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Related work experience
- None
- On-the-job training
- Moderate-term on-the-job training
- O*NET Job Zone
- Job Zone 1-2: Very Little to Some Preparation Needed
Highest education of people working in this occupation
O*NET describes this preparation level as: Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
Degrees and programs that lead to this career
Programs officially mapped to this occupation in the NCES and BLS CIP to SOC crosswalk. A mapping means the program commonly prepares students for the occupation, not that every graduate works in it. Official crosswalk
- Engine Machinist CIP 47.0615
Skills, knowledge, and daily work
Most important skills
Most important knowledge areas
Typical tasks
- Read and interpret assembly blueprints or specifications manuals, and plan assembly or building operations.
- Inspect, operate, and test completed products to verify functioning, machine capabilities, or conformance to customer specifications.
- Position or align components for assembly, manually or using hoists.
- Set and verify parts clearances.
- Verify conformance of parts to stock lists or blueprints, using measuring instruments such as calipers, gauges, or micrometers.
- Fasten or install piping, fixtures, or wiring and electrical components to form assemblies or subassemblies, using hand tools, rivet guns, or welding equipment.
- Remove rough spots and smooth surfaces to fit, trim, or clean parts, using hand tools or power tools.
- Lay out and drill, ream, tap, or cut parts for assembly.
Technology skills
- Dassault Systemes SolidWorks (hot technology)
- Microsoft Excel (hot technology)
- Microsoft Office software (hot technology)
- Microsoft Word (hot technology)
- SAP software (hot technology)
- Computer aided design and drafting CADD software
Transferable skills for career changers: Operations Monitoring, Quality Control Analysis, Social Perceptiveness, Complex Problem Solving, Operation and Control, Equipment Maintenance.
Common job titles: Assembler, Assembly Line Worker, Cell Technician, Engine Assembler, Engine Builder, Field Service Technician, Fitter, Large Engine Assembler, Machine Assembler, Mechanical Assembler.
Is it worth it? Model the cost of getting there
Use the ROI calculator to compare the cost of the education this career usually requires against staying on your current path. It starts from the official wage distribution above, and you can change every assumption.
Frequently asked questions
How much do engine and other machine assemblers make?
The national median annual wage for engine and other machine assemblers was $53,710 in May 2025, according to the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program. The lowest paid 10 percent earned less than $38,500 and the highest paid 10 percent earned more than $77,750. These figures cover all workers in the occupation, not only new entrants.
What education do engine and other machine assemblers need?
BLS lists high school diploma or equivalent as the typical education needed to enter this occupation, with none of related work experience and moderate-term on-the-job training on-the-job training typically needed to become competent.
Is engine and other machine assemblers a growing career?
BLS projects employment of engine and other machine assemblers to change -17.0% from 2025 to 2035, compared with +3.5% for all occupations. About 2,100 openings are projected each year on average, including openings from workers who retire or change occupations.
Which states pay engine and other machine assemblers the most?
By median annual wage in May 2025, the highest paying states were Ohio ($74,750), Washington ($72,800), New Hampshire ($70,150). Pay differences partly reflect differences in living costs.