Your salary as a machine operator: all the information

Are you interested in a job as a machine operator, machine operator or plant operator? Then you're probably also asking yourself: How much do you earn in this job? And: How can you improve your salary?

Before we get started, a brief overview: a machine operator usually works on production or packaging machines, sets them up and monitors the process. A machine operator takes responsibility for the entire machine and often also for small teams. Plant operators often work in larger industrial plants with several networked machines.

In this article, you will find everything you need to know about your salary - from hourly wages to annual salaries, regional differences and tips for better earning potential. We also show you how you can earn more with further training (e.g. as a CNC operator).

Hourly wage with and without training as a machine operator

According to salary comparison portals such as StepStone or Gehaltsreporter, the average hourly wage for machine operators in Germany is €13 to €18 gross. Without vocational training, you can expect to earn around €12-14 per hour. With professional experience or completed training, up to €20 per hour is possible - especially for shift work or in the metal sector.

A CNC operator or CNC lathe operator often earns between €17 and €24 per hour, depending on the company and region.

Tip: You can significantly increase your salary with further training as a CNC specialist or by specializing in certain types of machines. 

Take a look at our article on electrician salaries - there are also many career opportunities with training!

Monthly and annual salary in the various federal states

According to StepStone, the average monthly salary as a machine operator is €2,300-3,000 gross, with up to €3,400 possible with professional experience. This results in a gross annual salary of €28,000-40,000.

The region plays a major role in this:

• Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg: approx. 3,000-3,400 € per month
• NRW, Hesse, Lower Saxony: approx. 2,600-3,000 € per month
• Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, Thuringia: often only €2,200-2,500 per month

Don't forget: The cost of living is also crucial. According to numbeo.com, an apartment in Berlin costs around €1,200 on average, in Frankfurt even €1,400, and in Stuttgart around €1,300 per month. This means that a higher salary in expensive cities can still be less worthwhile than a slightly lower salary in less expensive regions.

Your salary opportunities as a machine operator or machine operator

Your earnings don't just depend on where you live or who you work for. There are many ways to improve your salary:

• Further training as a CNC specialist
  This specialization is in high demand. CNC machine operators earn up to €3,800 gross per month.
• Shift work and weekend bonuses
  Many production companies offer shift bonuses of up to 25 % extra.
• Change of sector
  The automotive industry, mechanical engineering and medical technology pay above average.
• Collective agreements
  If you work for a company that is bound by collective agreements, you have a better chance of earning a regular and higher income.
• Experience & responsibility
  If you train other colleagues or take responsibility for a production line, this is usually reflected in your salary.
  
  

Do you want to prepare for a job interview? Then take a look at our tips on salary negotiation - they also apply to machine operators and production workers, of course.

How to find your new job as a machine operator with WorkerHero

Are you looking for a job as a machine operator - perhaps as a career changer? Then WorkerHero is the right place for you. We help you to find transparent job offers - with clear information on tasks, requirements and, of course, salary.

But that's not all: if you come from abroad and want to integrate in Germany, you'll find practical articles on living, working and family here. Whether it's about the school system or SHK salaries - we make it easier to get started.