Salary guide, May 2025
Skilled Mechanical Assembler pay by metro, ranked
Manufacturing Headhunters uses the published BLS OEWS figures below. They describe the mapped occupation and area, not an individual offer.
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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
Skilled Mechanical Assembler 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 Skilled Mechanical Assembler · Pay range finder
How should you read Skilled Mechanical Assembler metro ranking?
Skilled Mechanical Assembler metro ranking: Skilled Mechanical Assembler, 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 Skilled Mechanical Assembler metro ranking: Skilled Mechanical Assembler, 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 Skilled Mechanical Assembler metro ranking: Skilled Mechanical Assembler, 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 Skilled Mechanical Assembler metro ranking to plan a search or discuss an offer with a hiring manager.
Skilled Mechanical Assembler metro ranking: Skilled Mechanical Assembler, 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 Skilled Mechanical Assembler metro ranking: Skilled Mechanical Assembler, 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 Skilled Mechanical Assembler metro ranking: Skilled Mechanical Assembler, 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 Skilled Mechanical Assembler metro ranking to plan a search or discuss an offer with a hiring manager.
Skilled Mechanical Assembler metro ranking: Skilled Mechanical Assembler, 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 Skilled Mechanical Assembler metro ranking: Skilled Mechanical Assembler, 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 Skilled Mechanical Assembler metro ranking: Skilled Mechanical Assembler, 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 Skilled Mechanical Assembler metro ranking to plan a search or discuss an offer with a hiring manager.
Which questions matter for Skilled Mechanical Assembler metro ranking?
Skilled Mechanical Assembler metro ranking: Skilled Mechanical Assembler, 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 Skilled Mechanical Assembler metro ranking give an exact offer for my plant?
Skilled Mechanical Assembler metro ranking: Skilled Mechanical Assembler, 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 Skilled Mechanical Assembler metro ranking describe?
For the same Skilled Mechanical Assembler metro ranking: Skilled Mechanical Assembler, 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 Skilled Mechanical Assembler metro ranking measure available candidates?
The Skilled Mechanical Assembler metro ranking: Skilled Mechanical Assembler, 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 Skilled Mechanical Assembler metro ranking to plan a search or discuss an offer with a hiring manager.
Skilled Mechanical Assembler source figures · Skilled Mechanical Assembler source figures · Skilled Mechanical Assembler source figures · Methodology
What does this ranking mean for your opening?
The provided salary benchmarks are part of a broad mechanical assembly category and do not account for the technical complexity of building intricate machinery from prints. Hiring managers should avoid relying solely on these figures, as the market value for an assembler who can interpret complex schematics, verify torque specs and perform precision measurements is distinct from general assembly.
Recruiter's read. Qualitative interpretation, not another BLS estimate.
The provided salary benchmarks are part of a broad mechanical assembly category and do not account for the technical complexity of building intricate machinery from prints. Hiring managers should avoid relying solely on these figures, as the market value for an assembler who can interpret complex schematics, verify torque specs and perform precision measurements is distinct from general assembly. Regional variations in pay typically mirror the local density of machinery or aerospace manufacturers.
When planning your search, define the scale and precision of your assembly work. Whether you build one-off units or repetitive high-volume products significantly impacts the candidate profile. A builder who works with fluid power, pressurized systems or electromechanical components needs specific, documented experience. Evaluate candidates based on the complexity of the largest assembly they completed alone and their ability to catch discrepancies in engineering drawings.
Skilled assemblers are often deep in their current roles, as many manufacturers value their documentation habits and precision. Because this field often lacks formal certification, rely on candidate stories about their bench practices, such as organizing kits, tracking revision changes and managing tool calibration. A strong assembler will tell a clear, step-by-step story of how they handled a complicated build or corrected a part-fit issue.
The data does not indicate that hiring will be easy or that wage bands are the primary constraint. Your ability to fill this role relies on communicating the exact nature of your build. Be prepared to assess candidates through deep conversation about their past bench work, tool usage and approach to safety. A candidate who views documentation as part of the job rather than a secondary task is essential for long-term quality.
What should you know about questions before using this pay map?
What is the difference between a mechanical assembler and a technician?
A mechanical assembler typically builds to print using standard tools, while a technician reads complex drawings, solves assembly fit issues, and uses precision measuring equipment. We screen for that higher technical level.
Do you recruit temporary assemblers for spikes in volume?
No, we focus exclusively on permanent, skilled assembly roles. We do not supply general high-volume labor.
Is electrical skill required for this role?
We define the boundaries of the role at intake. If your build requires electrical integration, we screen for candidates who have performed that specific level of work safely.
How do you screen for drawing reading ability?
We ask candidates to describe the last complex assembly they built, including how they handled design revisions. A true assembler explains how they followed the drawing and what they did when a part didn't fit.