Across U.S. metros, machinists typically earn $5,370 more a year than auto body repairers (10%). In the 342 metros where BLS publishes both, auto body repairers earn more in 92 and machinists in 248.
| Auto Body Repairer | Machinist | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical metro median pay | $51,680 | $57,050 |
| Lowest metro median | $30,260 | $29,310 |
| Highest metro median | $81,790 | $84,410 |
| Job growth 2025–35 (U.S.) | +3.7% | +1.0% |
| Openings per year (U.S.) | 12,600 | 26,100 |
| Self-employed | 8% | 0% |
| Typical education | High school diploma or equivalent | High school diploma or equivalent |
| Typical training | Long-term on-the-job training | Long-term on-the-job training |
| Injury rate per 10k workers (U.S.) | 60 | 108 |
| Metros with pay data | 363 | 361 |
On safety, machinists report more injuries that cause missed work (108 vs. 60 per 10,000 full-time workers, national 2023–24).
Pay: BLS OEWS May 2025 (typical = median across metros). Growth, openings, education, training: BLS Employment Projections 2025–35. Injuries: BLS SOII 2023–24.
Where auto body repairers out-earn machinists the most Our calculation
Gap in median yearly pay, same metro.
Where machinists out-earn auto body repairers the most
Gap in median yearly pay, same metro.
State by state Government data
Using statewide pay, auto body repairers earn more in 5 states and machinists in 46. The gap favors auto body repairers most in Rhode Island ($14,730) and machinists most in Hawaii ($23,870).
BLS OEWS statewide medians, May 2025.
How the work differs Government data
The biggest differences: Hazardous conditions: very often for auto body repairers, rarely for machinists. Cramped spaces and awkward positions: often for auto body repairers, rarely for machinists.
| Auto Body Repairer | Machinist | |
|---|---|---|
| Outdoors, in all kinds of weather | Occasionally | Rarely |
| Indoors with heating and air conditioning | Occasionally | Often |
| Very hot or cold conditions | Occasionally | Occasionally |
| Working at heights | Rarely | Rarely |
| Climbing ladders, scaffolds or poles | Rarely | Rarely |
| Cramped spaces and awkward positions | Often | Rarely |
| Loud noise | Very often | Often |
| Hazardous conditions | Very often | Rarely |
| Standing, bending, kneeling and walking | Often | Sometimes |
| Sitting | Rarely | Occasionally |
O*NET 31.0 Work Context, national.
What each trade does
Auto Body Repairer
Repair and refinish automotive vehicle bodies and straighten vehicle frames.
Machinist
Set up and operate a variety of machine tools to produce precision parts and instruments out of metal. Includes precision instrument makers who fabricate, modify, or repair mechanical instruments. May also fabricate and modify parts to make or repair machine tools or maintain industrial machines, applying knowledge of mechanics, mathematics, metal properties, layout, and machining procedures.
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