SOC 51-4041 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Machinists — Asheville
Asheville, NC · 10 metro areas compared
In Asheville, NC the median wage is $53,110.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
In Asheville, NC the median wage is $53,110. That is 9.6% lower than the national median of $58,750. Pay ranges from under $39,950 at the tenth percentile to more than $76,340 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $40,730 to $60,250.
The area has 850 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 2.55 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Within the state, Wilmington records the highest median at $62,810. Of the 425 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 222nd.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $39,950 | −32.0% |
| 25th | $40,730 | −30.7% |
| Median (50th) | $53,110 | −9.6% |
| 75th | $60,250 | +2.6% |
| 90th | $76,340 | +29.9% |
| Mean | $54,440 | −7.3% |
Other metro areas in North Carolina
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wilmington | $62,810 | 180 | |
| 2 | Raleigh | $61,430 | 570 | |
| 3 | Charlotte | $60,210 | 2,390 | |
| 4 | Goldsboro | $59,790 | 60 | |
| 5 | Fayetteville | $58,150 | 80 | |
| 6 | Greenville | $58,010 | 100 | |
| 7 | Rocky Mount | $56,920 | 90 | |
| 8 | Burlington | $56,460 | 110 | |
| 9 | Jacksonville | $55,500 | 30 | |
| 10 | Pinehurst | $53,840 | 40 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Asheville run 5.7% below the national average, so the median of $53,110 goes as far as $56,320 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 4.1% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$53,110as reported by BLSLocal price level
94.3US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$56,320US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $53,110 a year, 9.6% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $39,950 to $76,340 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 850 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Wilmington, at $62,810.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Machinists in Asheville, NC?
The median annual wage is $53,110, or $25.54 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $58,750, so pay in Asheville, NC is 9.6% lower. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Asheville, NC earns more than $76,340 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $39,950 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Wilmington, at $62,810 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 850 jobs in this occupation in Asheville, NC. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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