Statewide pay Government data
Machinists in Kansas earn a statewide median of $51,220 a year, 10% below the typical U.S. metro, ranking #46 of 50 states and DC. About 3,870 people work in the trade statewide.
Statewide pay range
States ranked near Kansas
See all states on the machinist overview.
Pay by city Government data
| Metro | Median pay | Real pay | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| TopekaKANSAS · KS | $56,400 | $63,499 | 150 |
| ManhattanKANSAS · KS | $51,630 | $57,264 | 100 |
| WichitaKANSAS · KS | $50,540 | $56,821 | 1,630 |
| LawrenceKANSAS · KS | $50,460 | $55,916 | 60 |
Pay: BLS OEWS, May 2025 (metro-level). Real pay: BEA price parities, 2024. How we calculate
Pay outside the cities Government data
BLS also reports pay for Kansas's rural (nonmetropolitan) regions.
BLS OEWS nonmetropolitan areas, May 2025.
The job (national)
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.
Nationally, jobs are projected to grow 1.0% from 2025 to 2035, with about 26,100 openings a year. Typical training: long-term on-the-job training.
Nationally, machinists have 108 injuries or illnesses serious enough to miss work per 10,000 full-time workers, 1.3× the rate for all jobs (87). The most common cause is being struck by or caught in objects and equipment.
What the work is like Government data
How often machinists deal with each condition, from surveys of workers in the job.
Getting started usually takes medium preparation (vocational training or an apprenticeship, often 1–2+ years).
O*NET 31.0 Work Context and Job Zones (U.S. Department of Labor), national.
Licensing in Kansas Official source
Kansas licenses most trades at the city or county level. Check with the building or licensing office where you plan to work.
Requirements for machinists vary by state and sometimes by city; always confirm with the official agency.
Cities in Kansas
All trades in Kansas.