Home > Salary > South Africa > Machinist Operator
A machinist operator is responsible for operating a variety of machines, such as lathes, milling machines, and grinders, to produce precision metal parts. They interpret blueprints, set up and adjust machines, and monitor the production process to ensure accuracy and quality. Machinist operators use their knowledge of different cutting tools and techniques to shape and finish metal components according to specifications. They may also perform routine maintenance on machines and inspect finished parts for defects.
Estimated Yearly Salary: 71,912 ZAR
Estimated Monthly Salary: 5,993 ZAR
Estimated Weekly Salary: 1,383 ZAR per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 35 ZAR per hour
Values are pre-tax
Last revision of data: 2025-01-04
Estimated Monthly Salary: 5,788 ZAR
Estimated Weekly Salary: 1,336 ZAR per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 33 ZAR per hour
Last revision of data: 2024-01-03
Estimated Yearly Salary: 3,601 USD
Estimated Monthly Salary: 300 USD
Estimated Weekly Salary: 69 USD per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 2 USD per hour
Difference in salary year over year or average salary increase is approximately
4 %
Data confidence is - relatively high
Data fetched from dabase: 14 submissions.
Results are anonymized. Amounts indicated are pre-tax, meaning no deductionts yet have been made to the basic salary. Salaries where there are less than 3 entries are not displayed.
Want to check how your salary compares? Submit your own salary here
Estimated Yearly Salary: 71,912 ZAR
Estimated Monthly Salary: 5,993 ZAR
Estimated Weekly Salary: 1,383 ZAR per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 35 ZAR per hour
By working as Machinist Operator a person can save up to 29 USD per month or 347 USD yearly. Values are pre-tax.
NOTE: These values are estimates and are averaged for the whole country. Furthermore the value is likely exaggerated as no other expenses are taken into account in the projection. Unessential expenses are very subjective and are difficult to assess. Most likely the previously estimated number is significantly lower for majority of people. Expenses in different cities across the country may vary. Above values accuracy is low and is based on limited set of data obtained.
For more information regarding expenses in South Africa, see costs of living in South Africa.
Estimated Yearly Salary for Machinist Operator
Last revision of data: 2025-01-04
Data as of 2025
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Machinist Operator salary in South Africa
Average Yearly Salary of Machinist Operator in South Africa is approximately 71,912 ZAR (3,601 USD). Data is for 2025 and indicates a pre-tax value. The salary itself depends on multiple factors such as seniority, job performance, certifications, experience or any other bonuses. The value indicated is an average amount based on records we have in database. Real values may vary. The data is for orientational purposes.
What does Machinist Operator do?
A machinist operator is responsible for operating a variety of machines, such as lathes, milling machines, and grinders, to produce precision metal parts. They interpret blueprints, set up and adjust machines, and monitor the production process to ensure accuracy and quality. Machinist operators use their knowledge of different cutting tools and techniques to shape and finish metal components according to specifications. They may also perform routine maintenance on machines and inspect finished parts for defects.
Skills: machinist operator, machine operator, precision machining, metalworking, manufacturing, CNC machining
Job industry: Manufacturing
Job industry: Manufacturing
How much does Machinist Operator make?
Salary details
How much does Machinist Operator make?Estimated Yearly Salary: 71,912 ZAR
Estimated Monthly Salary: 5,993 ZAR
Estimated Weekly Salary: 1,383 ZAR per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 35 ZAR per hour
Values are pre-tax Last revision of data: 2025-01-04Comparing salary to last year:
Estimated Yearly Salary: 69,460 ZAREstimated Monthly Salary: 5,788 ZAR
Estimated Weekly Salary: 1,336 ZAR per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 33 ZAR per hour
Last revision of data: 2024-01-03Machinist Operator estimated salary in USD
For easier comparison here is an estimated salary in USD:Estimated Yearly Salary: 3,601 USD
Estimated Monthly Salary: 300 USD
Estimated Weekly Salary: 69 USD per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 2 USD per hour
Difference in salary year over year or average salary increase is approximately
4 %About these results
Data confidence is - relatively high Data fetched from dabase: 14 submissions.
Results are anonymized. Amounts indicated are pre-tax, meaning no deductionts yet have been made to the basic salary. Salaries where there are less than 3 entries are not displayed.
Want to check how your salary compares? Submit your own salary here
Compare salary to other countries
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Country:
Salary comparison to National average
South Africa is a diverse and vibrant country located at the southernmost tip of the African continent. It has a population of approximately 59 million people and covers an area of around 1.2 million square kilometers. The country is known for its rich cultural heritage, stunning landscapes, and abundant wildlife.
Estimated national average yearly salary is 126,956 ZAR (6,780 USD). Value indicated is pre-tax. Below graph shows estimated Machinist Operator job salary compared to average salary in South Africa.
Comparison shows that a person working as Machinist Operator in South Africa earns on average:
0.57 times the average salary (or 57% of average salary).
Estimated national average yearly salary is 126,956 ZAR (6,780 USD). Value indicated is pre-tax. Below graph shows estimated Machinist Operator job salary compared to average salary in South Africa.
Comparison shows that a person working as Machinist Operator in South Africa earns on average:
0.57 times the average salary (or 57% of average salary).
Is Machinist Operator a well paid job?
No, our data shows that Machinist Operator is typically not a well-paid job. The salary varies based on experience. Meaning that even though Machinist Operator might be a low paying job, with experience the salary might increase to satisfactory levels.What is considered a high salary for Machinist Operator?
High salary for Machinist Operator would be somewhere between 79,103 ZAR and 104,272 ZAR. However this is an estimation based on Gaussian Distribution.How much can you save working as Machinist Operator in South Africa?
Living in South Africa the approximate monthly expenses are: 271 USD. This amount covers basic needs such as food, housing, clothing, healthcare and education costs for a single person. No luxury expenses such as traveling, leisure, hobbies are included in the estimation.Estimated Yearly Salary: 71,912 ZAR
Estimated Monthly Salary: 5,993 ZAR
Estimated Weekly Salary: 1,383 ZAR per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 35 ZAR per hour
By working as Machinist Operator a person can save up to 29 USD per month or 347 USD yearly. Values are pre-tax.
NOTE: These values are estimates and are averaged for the whole country. Furthermore the value is likely exaggerated as no other expenses are taken into account in the projection. Unessential expenses are very subjective and are difficult to assess. Most likely the previously estimated number is significantly lower for majority of people. Expenses in different cities across the country may vary. Above values accuracy is low and is based on limited set of data obtained.
For more information regarding expenses in South Africa, see costs of living in South Africa.
Salary comparison to region and neighbouring coutries
Country's neighbours are: Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Eswatini, Lesotho. To make it easier for comparison a conversion from local currency to USD has been made (conversion rates may vary).Estimated Yearly Salary for Machinist Operator
Last revision of data: 2025-01-04Salary increase per years of experience
Based on data available the salary increase per years of experience is as following- 0 years (beginner) equals base salary
- 1 to 5 years of experience yields
+12% salary increase- 6 to 10 years of experience yields
+25% salary increase- 11 to 15 years of experience yields
+16% salary increase- 16 to 25 years of experience yields
+9% salary increase- more than 25 years of experience yields
+10% salary increaseTop 10 highest salaries in South Africa
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Data as of 2025Random salary:
Office nurse manager (98,710 ZAR per year, pre-tax.)
Business specialist logistics inventory distribution transportation (85,720 ZAR per year, pre-tax.)
Polymer chemist (143,581 ZAR per year, pre-tax.)
Vice president (vp), investor relations (254,650 ZAR per year, pre-tax.)
Lab section supervisor (193,627 ZAR per year, pre-tax.)
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