Salary guide
Drilling Machine Operator Salary & Pay Scale (2026)
What drilling machine operators earn per year, per hour and per month, with the full percentile range, the factors that move pay and how to earn more.
The median drilling machine operator salary in the U.S. is $49,080 per year, or $23.60 per hour, based on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for May 2025. The lowest-paid 10% earned under $36,300, while the top 10% earned more than $68,410.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
Drilling Machine Operator pay scale
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly* | What it usually reflects |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $36,300 | $17.45 | Typical for new workers, part-time markets and lower-paying settings |
| 25th percentile | $41,710 | $20.05 | Early career, a year or two of experience |
| Median (50th) | $49,080 | $23.60 | Mid-career: half earn more, half earn less |
| 75th percentile | $57,940 | $27.86 | Experienced workers, specialists and higher-paying employers |
| 90th percentile | $68,410 | $32.89 | Top earners: senior, specialized, supervisory or high-cost areas |
*Hourly figures are annual wages divided by 2,080 hours. Percentile descriptions are general patterns, not guarantees.
Monthly and biweekly pay
| Pay period | At 25th percentile | At median | At 75th percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Per year | $41,710 | $49,080 | $57,940 |
| Per month | $3,476 | $4,090 | $4,828 |
| Every two weeks | $1,604 | $1,888 | $2,228 |
| Per week | $802 | $944 | $1,114 |
Gross pay before taxes and deductions.
What affects drilling machine operator pay
- Certifications such as ASE, FAA A&P or manufacturer credentials
- Flat-rate versus hourly pay plans in repair shops
- Industry (aerospace and utilities often pay more than general repair)
- Shift work and overtime in plants running around the clock
- Geography and cost of living: metropolitan areas and some states pay well above the national median
How to earn more as a drilling machine operator
- Get credentialed: NIMS Drill Press, Machining certificate, OSHA 10.
- Build specialty experience: Setups.
- Move up: roles such as machinist and lead typically pay more.
- Negotiate: research local pay and use our salary negotiation guide.
Drilling Machine Operator pay vs. related careers
Job outlook
BLS projects employment of drilling machine operators to change by -9.5% from 2025–35, a projected decline compared with the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 400 openings are projected each year, on average, including openings to replace workers who retire or change occupations.
About this data
Figures come from the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey (May 2025), which covers wage and salary workers nationwide under SOC code 51-4032 (“Drilling and boring machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic”). Wages exclude self-employment income, overtime and most bonuses unless they are part of regular pay. We refresh these numbers when BLS releases new estimates each spring.
Drilling Machine Operator salary FAQ
How much does a drilling machine operator make per hour?
The median hourly wage for drilling machine operators was $23.60 in May 2025 (BLS). Hourly pay for the lowest 10% was about $17.45 and the top 10% earned about $32.89 or more.
How much does a drilling machine operator make a month?
At the median annual wage of $49,080, that works out to about $4,090 per month before taxes, or about $1,888 every two weeks.
What is the starting salary for a drilling machine operator?
New drilling machine operators often start near the lower end of the range. The 10th percentile was $36,300 and the 25th percentile was $41,710 per year in May 2025. Starting pay depends on location, employer and credentials.
How can drilling machine operators earn more?
Common ways include earning NIMS Drill Press and Machining certificate, gaining specialty experience, taking shifts or roles with premium pay, and moving up the career ladder to roles such as machinist.
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 51-4032 (Drilling and boring machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic).
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
- O*NET OnLine summary for Drilling and boring machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic (U.S. Department of Labor).
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.