How much does a engine and other machine assembler make?
The median engine and other machine assembler in the United States earns $53,710 per year, about $25.82 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all engine and other machine assemblers earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 51-2031.
Engine and other machine assembler salary range
Pay for engine and other machine assemblers spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $38,500 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $77,750. The average (mean) wage of $57,790 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $38,500 | $18.51 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $45,230 | $21.75 | |
| Median (50th) | $53,710 | $25.82 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $74,920 | $36.02 | |
| 90th percentile | $77,750 | $37.38 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for engine and other machine assemblers (SOC 51-2031), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Engine and other machine assembler salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Engine and other machine assemblers earn the most in Ohio at $74,750 a year, and the least in Virginia at $36,030. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio | $74,750 | 3,430 |
| Washington | $72,800 | 370 |
| New Hampshire | $70,150 | 160 |
| Oregon | $63,420 | 110 |
| Connecticut | $61,320 | 170 |
| Michigan | $60,950 | 5,030 |
| Minnesota | $58,820 | 270 |
| Arkansas | $54,620 | 70 |
| Idaho | $54,240 | 70 |
| Wisconsin | $54,240 | 860 |
| Arizona | $54,100 | 80 |
| Florida | $52,660 | 800 |
| Pennsylvania | $52,000 | 90 |
| New Jersey | $50,910 | 140 |
| Illinois | $49,630 | 650 |
| Nebraska | $49,590 | 110 |
| Utah | $48,730 | 150 |
| Texas | $47,210 | 490 |
| South Carolina | $46,950 | 1,960 |
| Massachusetts | $46,880 | 500 |
| California | $46,810 | 1,170 |
| Tennessee | $46,810 | 430 |
| Missouri | $46,720 | 1,020 |
| Mississippi | $46,610 | 580 |
| New York | $46,460 | 1,330 |
| Colorado | $46,070 | N/A |
| Iowa | $46,040 | 60 |
| South Dakota | $45,930 | 550 |
| North Carolina | $45,750 | 2,750 |
| Oklahoma | $45,060 | 130 |
| Kansas | $42,590 | N/A |
| Kentucky | $41,580 | 1,180 |
| Maryland | $39,120 | 90 |
| Georgia | $38,540 | 410 |
| Virginia | $36,030 | 570 |
State median wages for engine and other machine assemblers (SOC 51-2031), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for engine and other machine assemblers
The BLS projects employment of engine and other machine assemblers to shrink from 2025 to 2035 (down 17%). That is a decline, against 3.5% average growth for all occupations. That works out to roughly 33,500 jobs in 2025 moving toward 27,800 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 2,100 openings a year for engine and other machine assemblers. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become an engine and other machine assembler
The typical entry-level education for engine and other machine assemblers is a high school diploma or equivalent, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete moderate-term on-the-job training to reach full competency.
A four-year college degree is usually not required to start, which makes this one of the jobs you can enter without a bachelor's degree. See more high paying jobs without a degree .
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much an engine and other machine assembler earns
Industry, shift, certifications, and region drive pay, along with overtime. Skilled operators and workers in unionized plants sit near the top of the range.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (Ohio, $74,750) and the lowest (Virginia, $36,030) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 34,000 people work as engine and other machine assemblers in the United States. At $53,710 a year, the job pays above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Engine and other machine assembler salary FAQ
How much does an engine and other machine assembler make an hour?
The median hourly wage for an engine and other machine assembler is $25.82. The middle half of engine and other machine assemblers earn between $21.75 and $36.02 per hour.
What is the highest engine and other machine assembler salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of engine and other machine assemblers earn more than $77,750 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does an engine and other machine assembler make a year?
The median annual salary for an engine and other machine assembler is $53,710. The average (mean) wage of $57,790 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being an engine and other machine assembler a well paid job?
At $53,710 a year, an engine and other machine assembler earns above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 34,000 people work as engine and other machine assemblers in the United States.
Which state pays engine and other machine assemblers the most?
Ohio has the highest median salary for engine and other machine assemblers at $74,750 a year. Washington ($72,800) and New Hampshire ($70,150) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being an engine and other machine assembler a good career?
Employment of engine and other machine assemblers is projected to shrink 17% from 2025 to 2035, a decline, against 3.5% average growth for all occupations. The BLS projects about 2,100 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become an engine and other machine assembler?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for engine and other machine assemblers as a high school diploma or equivalent, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
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