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  1. Career Hub
  2. Career Hub
  3. Cities
  4. Durham
  5. Machine Operator
ByLocal Market Research Team
Reviewed by Indeed Flex Editorial Board
Updated January 15, 2026
Industrial & Warehouse
Durham, NC

Machine Operator Jobs in Durham

Temp and flexible machine operator positions in Durham pay $16.00-$24.44/hr — 4% below the national average, with a cost of living 6% below the U.S. baseline.

$16-$24

Per Hour

$809

Weekly (40hrs)

94

Cost Index

EST

Time Zone

Find Machine Operator ShiftsCalculate Earnings
Quick Facts

Top Industries in Durham

Healthcare
Education
Technology
Hospitality

Monthly Costs

1-Bed Rent$1400
Groceries$320
Transport$80
More about Durham

About Machine Operator Jobs in Durham

Machine Operators in Durham earn $16.00-$24.44/hr, below the national average.

Machine Operators set up, run, and monitor manufacturing equipment to produce parts and products. They ensure machines run efficiently and products meet quality standards.

Most machine operator positions in Durham are available as temporary, part-time, or flexible shifts.

Machine Operator Pay: Durham vs Nearby Cities

CityHourly PayCost of Living1-Bed Rent
Durham, NC$16–$24/hr94$1,400
Charlotte, NC$16–$25/hr95$1,450
Nashville, TN$16–$26/hr99$1,650
Atlanta, GA$16–$26/hr101$1,700
Orlando, FL$16–$25/hr96$1,500
Worker Proprietary Metric

Worker Affordability Score

Calculated for Machine Operator in Durham

2.3x
Tight Budget
69
Hours to pay rent
43%
Rent / gross income
723
Monthly disposable
16% more affordable than US national average

Data based on BLS OEWS wage data and HUD 2024 fair market rents.

What You’ll Actually Earn in Durham

Monthly Income (40 hrs/wk)
Gross monthly$3,502
Est. taxes (~22%)-$770
Take-home$2,732
After Essential Costs
1-Bed Rent$1,400
Groceries + transport$400
Remaining$932

Based on avg Machine Operator rate of $20.22/hr at 40 hrs/wk.

Key Responsibilities

  • Set up machines according to specifications
  • Operate and monitor production equipment
  • Perform quality checks on products
  • Troubleshoot minor machine issues
  • Document production data

Skills & Requirements

Key Skills
Machine operation
Technical aptitude
Quality control
Problem solving
Safety awareness
Requirements
  • Mechanical aptitude
  • High school diploma or equivalent
  • Ability to read technical documents
  • Previous manufacturing experience preferred

Earnings Calculator for Durham

Calculate Your Machine Operator Earningsin Durham
$20/hr
$16/hr$24.44/hr
25 hr
5 hr (Part-time)50 hr (Full-time+)
Weekly
$500
Monthly
$2,165
Yearly
$26,000
Open Full Pay Calculator

Career Path from Machine Operator

Machine Operator

0-2 years

Senior Operator

2-4 years

Setup Technician

4-6 years

Production Supervisor

6+ years

FAQs: Machine Operator Jobs in Durham

Start Earning Today

Join thousands of machine operators in Durham earning on their own schedule

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Related Roles in Durham
Delivery Driver$16-$24/hrPicker Packer$15-$21/hrWarehouse Operative$15-$22/hrForklift Driver$17-$25/hrFood Production Operative$14-$20/hrView all roles in Durham →
Machine Operator in Nearby Cities
Charlotte, NCNashville, TNAtlanta, GAOrlando, FLJacksonville, FLBrowse all cities →
Helpful Tools
Pay CalculatorCost of Living ComparisonShift PlannerMachine Operator Career Guide

Explore More Opportunities

More Jobs in Durham

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  • Entry Level Cook in Durham

Machine Operator in Other Cities

  • Machine Operator in Philadelphia, PA
  • Machine Operator in Charlotte, NC
  • Machine Operator in Las Vegas, NV
  • Machine Operator in Dallas, TX
  • Machine Operator in Columbus, OH
  • Machine Operator in Phoenix, AZ

Related Resources

  • Industrial & Warehouse Industry Guide
  • Complete Machine Operator Career Guide
  • Getting Started Guides
  • Financial Tips for Flex Workers

Data Sources & Methodology

The information on this page is compiled from the following sources:

  1. [1]
    BLS QCEW — Employment and wage data at state and county level by industry.Visit
  2. [2]
    BLS CES — Monthly survey of ~670,000 worksites providing industry-level employment and earnings data.Visit
  3. [3]
    Census ACS — Demographic, economic, and housing data for communities.Visit
  4. [4]
    Indeed Hiring Lab — Monthly posted-wage data by job title from Indeed job listings.Visit
  5. [5]
    MWPVL — Comprehensive database of distribution center and warehouse locations.Visit
  6. [6]
    DOL/State Labor Depts — Minimum wage rates, tip credits, licensing requirements, and regulations by state.Visit

Data Freshness

CategoryCost of Living
Last Updated2026-01-15
Next Update2027-01-15

We strive to keep all data accurate and up-to-date. Pay rates may vary based on location, experience, and employer.

About this data

Figures on this page are compiled from the public sources cited above and may be out of date. They are provided for general informational purposes only and do not constitute professional career, legal, tax, or financial advice. For the most current pay rates, verify with the original source, a qualified professional, or check the Indeed Flex app directly for real-time shift availability and compensation.

Explore Jobs in Durham

Find opportunities and compare costs

Top Jobs in This City
  • Server Jobs in Durham$12-$20/hr
  • Chef de Partie Jobs in Durham$17-$26/hr
  • Housekeeper Jobs in Durham$14-$19/hr
  • Dishwasher Jobs in Durham$12-$17/hr
  • Host / Hostess Jobs in Durham$12-$18/hr
  • Food Runner Jobs in Durham$12-$17/hr
Compare Living Costs
  • Cost of Living CalculatorSee expenses in Durham
Nearby Cities
  • Philadelphia, PA$14-$22/hr avg
  • Charlotte, NC$14-$21/hr avg
  • Las Vegas, NV$14-$24/hr avg
  • Dallas, TX$14-$23/hr avg

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