Salary guide, May 2025
Machine Builder (equipment OEM assembly fitter) pay by metro, ranked
Manufacturing Headhunters uses the published BLS OEWS figures below. They describe the mapped occupation and area, not an individual offer.
This is what we do all day: recruit manufacturing professionals.
Of 393 metros, BLS published an exact annual median for 42. The highest is Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA at $102,530 and the lowest is Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC at $36,030. 0 more are published but not rankable and 351 are not published by bls.
Broader occupation · SOC 51-2031 Engine and Other Machine Assemblers
Machine Builder (equipment OEM assembly fitter) is shown within the broader published occupation. BLS does not separate this plant-specific title, seniority, shift, process or credential. Compare the duties with the SOC definition before using the range.
- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA$102,530
- Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN$80,200
- Oshkosh-Neenah, WI$80,170
- Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH$76,480
- Toledo, OH$75,770
- Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI$65,410
- Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI$64,820
- Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA$64,240
- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ$62,400
- Ann Arbor, MI$61,680
- Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT$61,340
- Lansing-East Lansing, MI$59,600
- Richmond, VA$59,570
- Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY$58,550
- Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA$55,340
- Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI$53,570
- St. Louis, MO-IL$51,920
- Tulsa, OK$51,770
- San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA$51,040
- Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY$50,560
- Rochester, NY$50,210
- Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN$49,630
- Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH$48,990
- Springfield, MO$48,830
- Salt Lake City-Murray, UT$48,730
Bars show the top 25 of 42 ranked. The table below lists all 42. Literal BLS medians, May 2025.
| Rank | Metro | BLS occupation | 25th | Median | 75th | Employment | LQ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | Engine and Other Machine Assemblers (51-2031) | $76,500 | $102,530 | $107,770 | 210 | 0.45 |
| 2 | Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | Engine and Other Machine Assemblers (51-2031) | $70,660 | $80,200 | $80,200 | 200 | 0.84 |
| 3 | Oshkosh-Neenah, WI | Engine and Other Machine Assemblers (51-2031) | $48,690 | $80,170 | $80,170 | 90 | 4.19 |
| 4 | Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH | Engine and Other Machine Assemblers (51-2031) | $60,980 | $76,480 | $76,480 | 50 | 0.6 |
| 5 | Toledo, OH | Engine and Other Machine Assemblers (51-2031) | $75,770 | $75,770 | $75,770 | 310 | 4.9 |
| 6 | Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | Engine and Other Machine Assemblers (51-2031) | $50,970 | $65,410 | $74,070 | 130 | 0.3 |
| 7 | Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI | Engine and Other Machine Assemblers (51-2031) | $49,220 | $64,820 | $76,880 | 3,330 | 7.99 |
| 8 | Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | Engine and Other Machine Assemblers (51-2031) | $52,180 | $64,240 | $66,320 | 100 | 0.37 |
| 9 | New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | Engine and Other Machine Assemblers (51-2031) | $50,910 | $62,400 | $72,170 | 90 | 0.04 |
| 10 | Ann Arbor, MI | Engine and Other Machine Assemblers (51-2031) | $49,500 | $61,680 | $73,920 | 60 | 1.24 |
| 11 | Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT | Engine and Other Machine Assemblers (51-2031) | $52,120 | $61,340 | $87,360 | 80 | 0.58 |
| 12 | Lansing-East Lansing, MI | Engine and Other Machine Assemblers (51-2031) | $48,110 | $59,600 | $71,400 | 60 | 1.26 |
| 13 | Richmond, VA | Engine and Other Machine Assemblers (51-2031) | $49,610 | $59,570 | $62,540 | 40 | 0.26 |
| 14 | Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY | Engine and Other Machine Assemblers (51-2031) | $46,460 | $58,550 | $58,550 | 230 | 2.35 |
| 15 | Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA | Engine and Other Machine Assemblers (51-2031) | $44,920 | $55,340 | $63,120 | 30 | 0.6 |
| 16 | Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI | Engine and Other Machine Assemblers (51-2031) | $46,590 | $53,570 | $63,140 | 460 | 3.49 |
| 17 | St. Louis, MO-IL | Engine and Other Machine Assemblers (51-2031) | $45,340 | $51,920 | $62,460 | 120 | 0.41 |
| 18 | Tulsa, OK | Engine and Other Machine Assemblers (51-2031) | $42,950 | $51,770 | $66,230 | 60 | 0.64 |
| 19 | San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | Engine and Other Machine Assemblers (51-2031) | $46,700 | $51,040 | $61,440 | 120 | 0.35 |
| 20 | Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY | Engine and Other Machine Assemblers (51-2031) | $48,400 | $50,560 | $51,880 | 60 | 0.54 |
| 21 | Rochester, NY | Engine and Other Machine Assemblers (51-2031) | $48,820 | $50,210 | $62,730 | 40 | 0.35 |
| 22 | Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | Engine and Other Machine Assemblers (51-2031) | $40,950 | $49,630 | $49,630 | 540 | 0.55 |
| 23 | Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | Engine and Other Machine Assemblers (51-2031) | $46,150 | $48,990 | $61,940 | 310 | 0.52 |
| 24 | Springfield, MO | Engine and Other Machine Assemblers (51-2031) | $48,830 | $48,830 | $49,920 | 140 | 2.81 |
| 25 | Salt Lake City-Murray, UT | Engine and Other Machine Assemblers (51-2031) | $48,730 | $48,730 | $59,240 | 130 | 0.72 |
| 26 | Winston-Salem, NC | Engine and Other Machine Assemblers (51-2031) | $38,500 | $48,580 | $78,000 | 150 | 2.52 |
| 27 | Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI | Engine and Other Machine Assemblers (51-2031) | $39,250 | $47,620 | $59,400 | 250 | 1.39 |
| 28 | Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | Engine and Other Machine Assemblers (51-2031) | $35,710 | $47,370 | $56,450 | 180 | 0.25 |
| 29 | Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | Engine and Other Machine Assemblers (51-2031) | $46,140 | $47,350 | $54,540 | 70 | 0.1 |
| 30 | Jackson, MS | Engine and Other Machine Assemblers (51-2031) | $38,630 | $47,270 | $47,270 | 220 | 3.76 |
| 31 | San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX | Engine and Other Machine Assemblers (51-2031) | $47,090 | $47,090 | $47,090 | 50 | 0.21 |
| 32 | Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | Engine and Other Machine Assemblers (51-2031) | $46,950 | $46,950 | $46,950 | 1,020 | 10.69 |
| 33 | Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | Engine and Other Machine Assemblers (51-2031) | $36,080 | $46,620 | $51,460 | 660 | 0.48 |
| 34 | Columbia, MO | Engine and Other Machine Assemblers (51-2031) | $42,230 | $46,500 | $46,500 | Not published by BLS | Not published by BLS |
| 35 | Worcester, MA | Engine and Other Machine Assemblers (51-2031) | $43,620 | $46,160 | $62,400 | 110 | 1.48 |
| 36 | Kansas City, MO-KS | Engine and Other Machine Assemblers (51-2031) | $42,590 | $45,060 | $53,250 | 60 | 0.26 |
| 37 | Springfield, MA | Engine and Other Machine Assemblers (51-2031) | $34,960 | $41,110 | $55,480 | 60 | 1.39 |
| 38 | Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | Engine and Other Machine Assemblers (51-2031) | $33,280 | $40,800 | $50,250 | 160 | 0.55 |
| 39 | San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | Engine and Other Machine Assemblers (51-2031) | $40,650 | $40,650 | $45,650 | 40 | 0.15 |
| 40 | Muskegon-Norton Shores, MI | Engine and Other Machine Assemblers (51-2031) | $33,670 | $40,360 | $47,190 | 60 | 4.12 |
| 41 | Oklahoma City, OK | Engine and Other Machine Assemblers (51-2031) | $32,070 | $37,680 | $60,980 | 40 | 0.27 |
| 42 | Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | Engine and Other Machine Assemblers (51-2031) | $36,030 | $36,030 | $46,050 | 360 | 2.14 |
What should you know about not published by BLS?
Abilene, TX, Aguadilla, PR, Akron, OH, Albany, GA, Albany, OR, Albuquerque, NM, Alexandria, LA, Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ, Altoona, PA, Amarillo, TX, Ames, IA, Amherst Town-Northampton, MA, Anchorage, AK, Anniston-Oxford, AL, Appleton, WI, Arecibo, PR, Asheville, NC, Athens-Clarke County, GA, Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA, Atlantic City-Hammonton, NJ, Auburn-Opelika, AL, Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC, Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX, Bakersfield-Delano, CA, Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD, Bangor, ME, Barnstable Town, MA, Baton Rouge, LA, Battle Creek, MI, Bay City, MI, Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX, Beckley, WV, Bellingham, WA, Bend, OR, Billings, MT, Binghamton, NY, Birmingham, AL, Bismarck, ND, Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA, Bloomington, IL, Bloomington, IN, Boise City, ID, Boulder, CO, Bowling Green, KY, Bozeman, MT, Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA, Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT, Brownsville-Harlingen, TX, Brunswick-St. Simons, GA, Burlington, NC, Burlington-South Burlington, VT, Canton-Massillon, OH, Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL, Cape Girardeau, MO-IL, Carson City, NV, Casper, WY, Cedar Rapids, IA, Chambersburg, PA, Champaign-Urbana, IL, Charleston, WV, Charleston-North Charleston, SC, Charlottesville, VA, Chattanooga, TN-GA, Cheyenne, WY, Chico, CA, Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN, Clarksville, TN-KY, Cleveland, OH, Cleveland, TN, Coeur d'Alene, ID, College Station-Bryan, TX, Colorado Springs, CO, Columbia, SC, Columbus, GA-AL, Columbus, IN, Columbus, OH, Corpus Christi, TX, Corvallis, OR, Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL, Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX, Dalton, GA, Daphne-Fairhope-Foley, AL, Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL, Decatur, AL, Decatur, IL, Deltona-Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach, FL, Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO, Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA, Dothan, AL, Dover, DE, Dubuque, IA, Duluth, MN-WI, Durham-Chapel Hill, NC, Eagle Pass, TX, Eau Claire, WI, El Centro, CA, Elizabethtown, KY, Elkhart-Goshen, IN, Elmira, NY, El Paso, TX, Enid, OK, Erie, PA, Eugene-Springfield, OR, Evansville, IN, Fairbanks-College, AK, Fargo, ND-MN, Farmington, NM, Fayetteville, NC, Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR, Flagstaff, AZ, Flint, MI, Florence, SC, Florence-Muscle Shoals, AL, Fond du Lac, WI, Fort Collins-Loveland, CO, Fort Smith, AR-OK, Fort Wayne, IN, Fresno, CA, Gadsden, AL, Gainesville, FL, Gainesville, GA, Gettysburg, PA, Glens Falls, NY, Goldsboro, NC, Grand Forks, ND-MN, Grand Island, NE, Grand Junction, CO, Grants Pass, OR, Great Falls, MT, Greeley, CO, Green Bay, WI, Greensboro-High Point, NC, Greenville, NC, Guayama, PR, Gulfport-Biloxi, MS, Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV, Hammond, LA, Hanford-Corcoran, CA, Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA, Harrisonburg, VA, Hattiesburg, MS, Helena, MT, Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC, Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal, SC, Hinesville, GA, Homosassa Springs, FL, Hot Springs, AR, Houma-Bayou Cane-Thibodaux, LA, Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH, Huntsville, AL, Idaho Falls, ID, Iowa City, IA, Ithaca, NY, Jackson, MI, Jackson, TN, Jacksonville, FL, Jacksonville, NC, Janesville-Beloit, WI, Jefferson City, MO, Johnson City, TN, Johnstown, PA, Jonesboro, AR, Joplin, MO-KS, Kahului-Wailuku, HI, Kalamazoo-Portage, MI, Kankakee, IL, Kennewick-Richland, WA, Kenosha, WI, Killeen-Temple, TX, Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA, Kingston, NY, Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY, Knoxville, TN, Kokomo, IN, La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN, Lafayette, LA, Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN, Lake Charles, LA, Lake Havasu City-Kingman, AZ, Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL, Lancaster, PA, Laredo, TX, Las Cruces, NM, Las Vegas-Henderson-North Las Vegas, NV, Lawrence, KS, Lawton, OK, Lebanon, PA, Lewiston, ID-WA, Lewiston-Auburn, ME, Lexington-Fayette, KY, Lexington Park, MD, Lima, OH, Lincoln, NE, Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR, Logan, UT-ID, Longview, TX, Longview-Kelso, WA, Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN, Lubbock, TX, Lynchburg, VA, Macon-Bibb County, GA, Madison, WI, Manchester-Nashua, NH, distribution management software, KS, Mankato, MN, Mansfield, OH, Mayaguez, PR, McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX, Medford, OR, Memphis, TN-MS-AR, Merced, CA, Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL, Michigan City-La Porte, IN, Midland, MI, Midland, TX, Minot, ND, Missoula, MT, Mobile, AL, Modesto, CA, Monroe, LA, Monroe, MI, Montgomery, AL, Morgantown, WV, Morristown, TN, Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA, Muncie, IN, Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC, Napa, CA, Naples-Marco Island, FL, Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN, New Haven, CT, New Orleans-Metairie, LA, Niles, MI, North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota, FL, Norwich-New London-Willimantic, CT, Ocala, FL, Odessa, TX, Ogden, UT, Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA, Omaha, NE-IA, Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL, Owensboro, KY, Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA, Paducah, KY-IL, Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL, Panama City-Panama City Beach, FL, Parkersburg-Vienna, WV, Pensacola-Ferry Pass-Brent, FL, Peoria, IL, Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ, Pinehurst-Southern Pines, NC, Pittsburgh, PA, Pittsfield, MA, Pocatello, ID, Ponce, PR, Portland-South Portland, ME, Port St. Lucie, FL, Prescott Valley-Prescott, AZ, Providence-Warwick, RI-MA, Provo-Orem-Lehi, UT, Pueblo, CO, Punta Gorda, FL, Racine-Mount Pleasant, WI, Raleigh-Cary, NC, Rapid City, SD, Reading, PA, Redding, CA, Reno, NV, Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA, Roanoke, VA, Rochester, MN, Rockford, IL, Rocky Mount, NC, Rome, GA, Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA, Saginaw, MI, St. Cloud, MN, St. George, UT, St. Joseph, MO-KS, Salem, OR, Salinas, CA, Salisbury, MD, San Angelo, TX, Sandusky, OH, San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA, San Juan-Bayamon-Caguas, PR, San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA, Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA, Santa Fe, NM, Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA, Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA, Savannah, GA, Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA, Sebastian-Vero Beach-West Vero Corridor, FL, Sebring, FL, Sheboygan, WI, Sherman-Denison, TX, Shreveport-Bossier City, LA, Sierra Vista-Douglas, AZ, Sioux City, IA-NE-SD, Sioux Falls, SD-MN, Slidell-Mandeville-Covington, LA, South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI, Spartanburg, SC, Springfield, IL, Springfield, OH, State College, PA, Staunton-Stuarts Draft, VA, Stockton-Lodi, CA, Sumter, SC, Syracuse, NY, Tallahassee, FL, Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL, Terre Haute, IN, Texarkana, TX-AR, Topeka, KS, Traverse City, MI, Trenton-Princeton, NJ, Tucson, AZ, Tuscaloosa, AL, Twin Falls, ID, Tyler, TX, Urban Honolulu, HI, Utica-Rome, NY, Valdosta, GA, Vallejo, CA, Victoria, TX, Vineland, NJ, Visalia, CA, Waco, TX, Walla Walla, WA, Warner Robins, GA, Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV, Waterbury-Shelton, CT, Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA, Watertown-Fort Drum, NY, Wausau, WI, Weirton-Steubenville, WV-OH, Wenatchee-East Wenatchee, WA, Wheeling, WV-OH, Wichita, KS, Wichita Falls, TX, Wildwood-The Villages, FL, Williamsport, PA, Wilmington, NC, Winchester, VA-WV, Yakima, WA, York-Hanover, PA, Youngstown-Warren, OH, Yuba City, CA, Yuma, AZ.
What should you know about role pay against all occupations, by metro?
Ratio = this role's published median divided by the all-occupations median in the same metro, same units, both exact. A ratio above 1.00 means the role's median is higher than the metro's all-occupations median. It makes no cost-of-living claim. Location quotient (LQ) is employment concentration, not a wage index.
- Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN1.63
- Toledo, OH1.57
- Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH1.53
- Oshkosh-Neenah, WI1.48
- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA1.41
- Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI1.24
- Richmond, VA1.16
- Lansing-East Lansing, MI1.13
- Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI1.13
- Ann Arbor, MI1.11
- Tulsa, OK1.11
- Jackson, MS1.10
- Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI1.10
- Springfield, MO1.07
- Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA1.06
- Winston-Salem, NC1.05
- St. Louis, MO-IL1.04
- Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT1.02
- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ1.02
- Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA1.01
- Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC1.01
- San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX1.00
- Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY1.00
- Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY1.00
- Columbia, MO0.98
Bars show the highest 25 of 42. The table lists all.
| Metro | Role median | All-occupations median | Ratio | LQ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | $80,200 | $49,340 | 1.63 | 0.84 |
| Toledo, OH | $75,770 | $48,220 | 1.57 | 4.9 |
| Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH | $76,480 | $49,980 | 1.53 | 0.6 |
| Oshkosh-Neenah, WI | $80,170 | $54,060 | 1.48 | 4.19 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $102,530 | $72,610 | 1.41 | 0.45 |
| Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI | $64,820 | $52,080 | 1.24 | 7.99 |
| Richmond, VA | $59,570 | $51,460 | 1.16 | 0.26 |
| Lansing-East Lansing, MI | $59,600 | $52,800 | 1.13 | 1.26 |
| Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI | $53,570 | $47,570 | 1.13 | 3.49 |
| Ann Arbor, MI | $61,680 | $55,380 | 1.11 | 1.24 |
| Tulsa, OK | $51,770 | $46,670 | 1.11 | 0.64 |
| Jackson, MS | $47,270 | $42,850 | 1.10 | 3.76 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $65,410 | $59,320 | 1.10 | 0.3 |
| Springfield, MO | $48,830 | $45,780 | 1.07 | 2.81 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $64,240 | $60,690 | 1.06 | 0.37 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $48,580 | $46,380 | 1.05 | 2.52 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $51,920 | $49,990 | 1.04 | 0.41 |
| Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT | $61,340 | $59,940 | 1.02 | 0.58 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $62,400 | $61,430 | 1.02 | 0.04 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA | $55,340 | $54,660 | 1.01 | 0.6 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | $46,950 | $46,580 | 1.01 | 10.69 |
| San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX | $47,090 | $47,010 | 1.00 | 0.21 |
| Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY | $58,550 | $58,460 | 1.00 | 2.35 |
| Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY | $50,560 | $50,790 | 1.00 | 0.54 |
| Columbia, MO | $46,500 | $47,260 | 0.98 | Not published by BLS |
| Rochester, NY | $50,210 | $51,210 | 0.98 | 0.35 |
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | $47,370 | $49,410 | 0.96 | 0.25 |
| Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI | $47,620 | $51,160 | 0.93 | 1.39 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $49,630 | $54,720 | 0.91 | 0.55 |
| Kansas City, MO-KS | $45,060 | $50,820 | 0.89 | 0.26 |
| Salt Lake City-Murray, UT | $48,730 | $55,240 | 0.88 | 0.72 |
| Muskegon-Norton Shores, MI | $40,360 | $46,060 | 0.88 | 4.12 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $47,350 | $54,310 | 0.87 | 0.1 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $51,040 | $58,690 | 0.87 | 0.35 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $46,620 | $55,850 | 0.83 | 0.48 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $40,800 | $49,990 | 0.82 | 0.55 |
| Worcester, MA | $46,160 | $57,830 | 0.80 | 1.48 |
| Oklahoma City, OK | $37,680 | $47,230 | 0.80 | 0.27 |
| Springfield, MA | $41,110 | $51,930 | 0.79 | 1.39 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $48,990 | $66,620 | 0.74 | 0.52 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $36,030 | $49,430 | 0.73 | 2.14 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $40,650 | $84,050 | 0.48 | 0.15 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. SOC 51-2031 Engine and Other Machine Assemblers, Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue. Official occupation data · Official area tables. Released 2026-05-15.
National page for Machine Builder (equipment OEM assembly fitter) · Pay range finder
How should you read Machine Builder (equipment OEM assembly fitter) metro ranking?
Machine Builder (equipment OEM assembly fitter) metro ranking: Machine Builder (equipment OEM assembly fitter), mapped to Engine and Other Machine Assemblers (51-2031), in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA has a published annual median of $102,530 for 2025-05. This is an occupation estimate across employers, not a quoted starting rate for your opening. Read the occupation name with the amount.
A narrower plant title does not turn a broader BLS occupation into a separately measured job.
For the same Machine Builder (equipment OEM assembly fitter) metro ranking: Machine Builder (equipment OEM assembly fitter), mapped to Engine and Other Machine Assemblers (51-2031), in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA row, the published lower quartile is $76,500 and the upper quartile is $107,770. These are wage distribution points, not junior and senior job grades. A person’s equipment knowledge, shift requirements and actual duties still need a separate discussion. A missing percentile stays missing rather than being filled from another occupation.
The Machine Builder (equipment OEM assembly fitter) metro ranking: Machine Builder (equipment OEM assembly fitter), mapped to Engine and Other Machine Assemblers (51-2031), in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA employment estimate is 210. Employment describes people already working in the measured occupation and area. It does not count available applicants, people willing to move or candidates interested in your plant. Keep that distinction when using this Machine Builder (equipment OEM assembly fitter) metro ranking to plan a search or discuss an offer with a hiring manager.
Machine Builder (equipment OEM assembly fitter) metro ranking: Machine Builder (equipment OEM assembly fitter), mapped to Engine and Other Machine Assemblers (51-2031), in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN has a published annual median of $49,630 for 2025-05. This is an occupation estimate across employers, not a quoted starting rate for your opening. Read the occupation name with the amount. A narrower plant title does not turn a broader BLS occupation into a separately measured job.
For the same Machine Builder (equipment OEM assembly fitter) metro ranking: Machine Builder (equipment OEM assembly fitter), mapped to Engine and Other Machine Assemblers (51-2031), in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN row, the published lower quartile is $40,950 and the upper quartile is $49,630. These are wage distribution points, not junior and senior job grades. A person’s equipment knowledge, shift requirements and actual duties still need a separate discussion. A missing percentile stays missing rather than being filled from another occupation.
The Machine Builder (equipment OEM assembly fitter) metro ranking: Machine Builder (equipment OEM assembly fitter), mapped to Engine and Other Machine Assemblers (51-2031), in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN employment estimate is 540. Employment describes people already working in the measured occupation and area. It does not count available applicants, people willing to move or candidates interested in your plant. Keep that distinction when using this Machine Builder (equipment OEM assembly fitter) metro ranking to plan a search or discuss an offer with a hiring manager.
Machine Builder (equipment OEM assembly fitter) metro ranking: Machine Builder (equipment OEM assembly fitter), mapped to Engine and Other Machine Assemblers (51-2031), in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC has a published annual median of $36,030 for 2025-05. This is an occupation estimate across employers, not a quoted starting rate for your opening. Read the occupation name with the amount. A narrower plant title does not turn a broader BLS occupation into a separately measured job.
For the same Machine Builder (equipment OEM assembly fitter) metro ranking: Machine Builder (equipment OEM assembly fitter), mapped to Engine and Other Machine Assemblers (51-2031), in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC row, the published lower quartile is $36,030 and the upper quartile is $46,050. These are wage distribution points, not junior and senior job grades. A person’s equipment knowledge, shift requirements and actual duties still need a separate discussion. A missing percentile stays missing rather than being filled from another occupation.
The Machine Builder (equipment OEM assembly fitter) metro ranking: Machine Builder (equipment OEM assembly fitter), mapped to Engine and Other Machine Assemblers (51-2031), in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC employment estimate is 360. Employment describes people already working in the measured occupation and area. It does not count available applicants, people willing to move or candidates interested in your plant. Keep that distinction when using this Machine Builder (equipment OEM assembly fitter) metro ranking to plan a search or discuss an offer with a hiring manager.
Which questions matter for Machine Builder (equipment OEM assembly fitter) metro ranking?
Machine Builder (equipment OEM assembly fitter) metro ranking: Machine Builder (equipment OEM assembly fitter), mapped to Engine and Other Machine Assemblers (51-2031), in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA has a published annual median of $102,530 for 2025-05. This is an occupation estimate across employers, not a quoted starting rate for your opening.
Does Machine Builder (equipment OEM assembly fitter) metro ranking give an exact offer for my plant?
Machine Builder (equipment OEM assembly fitter) metro ranking: Machine Builder (equipment OEM assembly fitter), mapped to Engine and Other Machine Assemblers (51-2031), in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA has a published annual median of $102,530 for 2025-05. This is an occupation estimate across employers, not a quoted starting rate for your opening. Read the occupation name with the amount. A narrower plant title does not turn a broader BLS occupation into a separately measured job.
What does the wage band in Machine Builder (equipment OEM assembly fitter) metro ranking describe?
For the same Machine Builder (equipment OEM assembly fitter) metro ranking: Machine Builder (equipment OEM assembly fitter), mapped to Engine and Other Machine Assemblers (51-2031), in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA row, the published lower quartile is $76,500 and the upper quartile is $107,770. These are wage distribution points, not junior and senior job grades. A person’s equipment knowledge, shift requirements and actual duties still need a separate discussion. A missing percentile stays missing rather than being filled from another occupation.
Does the employment figure in Machine Builder (equipment OEM assembly fitter) metro ranking measure available candidates?
The Machine Builder (equipment OEM assembly fitter) metro ranking: Machine Builder (equipment OEM assembly fitter), mapped to Engine and Other Machine Assemblers (51-2031), in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA employment estimate is 210. Employment describes people already working in the measured occupation and area. It does not count available applicants, people willing to move or candidates interested in your plant. Keep that distinction when using this Machine Builder (equipment OEM assembly fitter) metro ranking to plan a search or discuss an offer with a hiring manager.
Machine Builder (equipment OEM assembly fitter) source figures · Machine Builder (equipment OEM assembly fitter) source figures · Machine Builder (equipment OEM assembly fitter) source figures · Methodology
What does this ranking mean for your opening?
The role is fundamentally about mechanical assembly and adjustment through drawing-based fit checks. An effective machine builder is an expert in rework and problem-solving during the assembly sequence. During interviews, prioritize the candidate's explanation of how they resolve build issues, as this proves their capability to manage technical challenges rather than just following simple, repetitive assembly instructions.
Recruiter's read. Qualitative interpretation, not another BLS estimate.
Interpreting salary benchmarks for a Machine Builder is complex, as the position is categorized within general machine assembly. This does not account for the intricate, build-from-drawings work required for equipment OEM assembly. Use these regional medians as a qualitative guide rather than a precise target; your role requires a high degree of craftsmanship and mechanical precision that deserves a distinct assessment.
The role is fundamentally about mechanical assembly and adjustment through drawing-based fit checks. An effective machine builder is an expert in rework and problem-solving during the assembly sequence. During interviews, prioritize the candidate's explanation of how they resolve build issues, as this proves their capability to manage technical challenges rather than just following simple, repetitive assembly instructions.
Regional wage differences in this sector are driven by local industrial density and the competitive nature of machine manufacturing. Do not let these statistics discourage your search. The candidate pool for true equipment builders is specialized, and you are looking for a craft-oriented professional who takes pride in the final machine's performance. Focus on the quality of your build environment to attract the right candidate.
A candidate for this role is often a technician who thrives on seeing a machine come together. They are motivated by roles that challenge their mechanical ingenuity. For Machine Builder (equipment OEM assembly fitter) in the United States, releases are separate survey estimates. The May 2025 median is $53,710; the May 2024 median is $52,540. Their arithmetic difference is $1,170. They are not the same workers' raises and do not establish a pay trend or its cause.
Finally, remember that the most effective recruitment strategy is to map candidates who are doing similar work in other high-end OEM environments. A candidate's ability to communicate the intricacies of the fit checks they perform is your best indicator of fit. Focus your interview process on these real-world examples to confirm they have the craftsmanship needed for your equipment.
What should you know about questions before using this pay map?
For Machine Builder (equipment OEM assembly fitter) in the United States, percentiles describe the wage distribution of the mapped occupation. The published middle interval is $45,230 to $74,920 annually. They do not assign pay to plant size, seniority, credentials or job complexity.
What defines a machine builder versus a general assembler?
A machine builder has the technical depth to interpret complex drawings and perform precision mechanical adjustments during assembly, whereas a general assembler typically follows standard repetitive tasks.
What is the best way to screen for this level of craftsmanship?
Ask for specific examples of build issues where they had to use their knowledge of fits and tolerances to correct a problem. Their ability to explain the logic of their rework is key.
How should I interpret the wage data for machine builders?
For Machine Builder (equipment OEM assembly fitter) in the United States, percentiles describe the wage distribution of the mapped occupation. The published middle interval is $45,230 to $74,920 annually. They do not assign pay to plant size, seniority, credentials or job complexity. Assess duties and candidate requirements separately; these rows do not measure a premium for them. Price the role for the technical craft you require.
What attracts proven machine builders to a new company?
They are attracted by the complexity of the equipment and the autonomy to manage their build-sequence decisions. Respect for their technical craftsmanship is their primary motivation.