Statewide pay Government data
Machinists in Virginia earn a statewide median of $61,290 a year, 7% above the typical U.S. metro, ranking #14 of 50 states and DC. About 5,660 people work in the trade statewide.
Statewide pay range
States ranked near Virginia
See all states on the machinist overview.
Pay by city Government data
| Metro | Median pay | Real pay | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia BeachVIRGINIA · VA | $62,900 | $64,222 | 2,350 |
| RichmondVIRGINIA · VA | $62,650 | $64,021 | 650 |
| LynchburgVIRGINIA · VA | $61,140 | $68,418 | 480 |
| StauntonVIRGINIA · VA | $60,410 | $66,291 | 130 |
| BlacksburgVIRGINIA · VA | $59,920 | $64,632 | 230 |
| CharlottesvilleVIRGINIA · VA | $55,600 | $56,079 | 50 |
| RoanokeVIRGINIA · VA | $52,000 | $55,545 | 290 |
| HarrisonburgVIRGINIA · VA | $49,900 | $52,586 | 60 |
| WinchesterVIRGINIA · VA | $49,130 | $50,938 | 100 |
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 Virginia'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 Virginia Official source
The main state licensing office in Virginia is the Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation. It can point you to the right license for machinists.
Official Virginia licensing site ↗
Requirements for machinists vary by state and sometimes by city; always confirm with the official agency.
Cities in Virginia
All trades in Virginia.