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CNC operator: pay, job outlook and how to become one

Updated October 26, 2026. Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET data. Published by Humblebee.

$50,690median pay per year, or $24.37 an hour, May 2025[1]
  1. $38,140lowest 10% earn less
  2. $44,93025th percentile
  3. $50,690median
  4. $61,76075th percentile
  5. $73,890top 10% earn more
Middle half of workers in the inner band[3]Median for all US jobs, $50,980[4]

The median pay for computer numerically controlled tool operators, the BLS title for a CNC operator, was $50,690 a year in May 2025[1]. Employment is projected to fall 9.4% from 2025 to 2035[2].

Job growth, 2025–35
-9.4%[2]
Openings per year
12,500[5]
Typical entry education
High school diploma or equivalent[6]

How much do CNC operators make?

The median wage was $50,690 a year, or $24.37 an hour[1]. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. The mean (average) was $54,320 a year, or $26.11 an hour[7]. The median annual wage for all occupations was $50,980, so the CNC operator median sits just below it[4].

The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $38,140, and the lowest-paid 25% earned less than $44,930[3]. The highest-paid 25% earned more than $61,760, and the highest-paid 10% earned more than $73,890[3]. Hourly, the 10th percentile was $18.34 and the 90th was $35.53[8]. BLS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary[9].

These figures cover about 169,450 wage and salary jobs[10]. They leave out the self-employed, nonproduction bonuses and the cost of benefits[11].

Pay by state and city

Washington had the highest state median at $107,920[12]. Massachusetts was next at $61,630, then North Dakota at $60,250[12]. Mississippi had the lowest listed median, $39,520[12].

California had the most jobs, 21,680, followed closely by Ohio with 21,250 and then Texas with 13,190[13].

Among metro areas with at least 100 jobs, Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA had the highest median at $109,600[14]. Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH followed at $64,180, then Albany, OR at $64,170[14]. Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA had the most jobs, 10,450, with a median of $54,980[15].

Show median pay in 48 states
StateMedian per yearJobs
Washington[12]$107,9202,270
Massachusetts$61,6302,500
North Dakota$60,250250
Connecticut$59,8402,740
New Hampshire$59,7301,770
Maine$59,660440
Vermont$57,5001,190
Rhode Island$57,390540
Minnesota$56,7804,290
Oregon$56,6702,920
California$56,51021,680
Colorado$55,2701,580
Pennsylvania$54,5907,840
Wyoming$54,17060
New Jersey$54,1001,770
Idaho$53,340480
New York$53,3405,530
Wisconsin$52,6908,330
Alabama$52,3803,120
Iowa$52,3004,750
Montana$51,880240
South Carolina$51,8002,460
Missouri$51,0001,500
South Dakota$50,7501,420
North Carolina$50,4403,680
Arkansas$50,2802,180
Delaware$50,010170
Tennessee$49,9801,980
Louisiana$49,800670
West Virginia$49,630160
Virginia$49,5901,890
Nebraska$49,360830
Kentucky$49,1801,740
Ohio$49,16021,250
Arizona$48,9501,800
Indiana$48,5909,690
Texas$48,48013,190
Illinois$48,4208,170
Kansas$48,4002,540
Oklahoma$47,7601,490
Georgia$47,6302,200
Michigan$47,2507,330
Maryland$46,8701,800
Nevada$46,670400
Florida$46,1704,040
Utah$45,1401,170
New Mexico$44,97070
Mississippi$39,5201,290

How to become a CNC operator

The typical entry path asks for a high school diploma or equivalent, no related work experience and moderate-term on-the-job training[6]. The training details below come from a BLS profile that covers metal and plastic machine workers as a wider group[16].

In an O*NET survey of 38 workers, 48% said a high school diploma or equivalent is required and 21% said a post-secondary certificate[22]. Certification can show competence and help with advancement[23]. With skill and experience, operators may move into setup or machine maintenance jobs[24].

What CNC operators do

O*NET describes the work as running computer-controlled tools, machines or robots to shape parts from metal, plastic, wood, stone or other materials[25]. Common tasks include:

Where they work

Fabricated metal product manufacturing was the largest employer of metal and plastic machine workers, at 25% of jobs in 2025[27]. These workers often run powerful, high-speed machines that can be dangerous, so they follow safety rules and usually wear protective gear such as safety glasses, earplugs and steel-toed boots[28]. Most are employed full time, some work more than 40 hours a week, and evening and weekend work is common[29]. Only 0.5% of CNC tool operators were self-employed in 2025[30].

Job outlook

BLS projects employment to decline 9.4% from 2025 to 2035, from about 170,000 to 154,100 jobs, a change of 15,900[2]. Employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5%[31]. One factor BLS lists is that programmers can control more machines at once, so fewer operators are needed[32].

Even so, about 12,500 openings are projected each year on average[5]. Openings include jobs that open when workers retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs[5]. Each year, 2.6% of workers leave the labor force and 6.1% move to a different occupation[33].

Is it a good fit?

The facts describe a job that usually needs a high school diploma and on-the-job training rather than a degree[6]. The median pay is near the all-occupations median, and employment is projected to shrink while all occupations grow[1][4][2][31]. Openings still arise each year as workers leave or change jobs[5]. Pay varies by place, and Washington stands far above other states at $107,920[12]. The work involves standing for long periods, repetitive tasks and comfort with machines[34][35].

Related occupations from O*NET, with BLS median pay and projected growth[36].

Frequently asked questions

How much does a CNC operator make an hour?
The median was $24.37 an hour and the mean was $26.11 in May 2025[1][7].
How long does it take to become a CNC operator?
BLS lists moderate-term on-the-job training[6]. A profile covering a wider group says CNC tool operators may need training for up to 1 year[19].
What education do you need to be a CNC operator?
The typical entry education is a high school diploma or equivalent[6].
Is CNC operating in demand?
Employment is projected to decline 9.4% from 2025 to 2035, though about 12,500 openings are projected each year[2][5].
What is the highest paying state for CNC operators?
Washington had the highest median at $107,920, followed by Massachusetts at $61,630[12].

Facts and sources

  1. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators in the US was $50,690 per year and $24.37 per hour. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  2. BLS Employment Projections: employment of Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators is projected to decline 9.4% from 2025 to 2035, from about 170,000 to 154,100 jobs (a change of -15,900). These counts include self-employed workers. BLS Employment Projections
  3. BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators: 10th percentile $38,140, 25th percentile $44,930, 75th percentile $61,760, 90th percentile $73,890. The 10th percentile means 10% of workers earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  4. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for all occupations in the US was $50,980. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  5. BLS Employment Projections: about 12,500 openings for Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators are projected each year, on average, from 2025 to 2035. Openings include jobs that open when workers retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs. BLS Employment Projections
  6. BLS Employment Projections, typical path into Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators: education needed for entry: High school diploma or equivalent; work experience in a related occupation: None; typical on-the-job training: Moderate-term on-the-job training. BLS Employment Projections
  7. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the mean (average) wage for Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators was $54,320 per year and $26.11 per hour. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  8. BLS OEWS, May 2025, hourly wage percentiles for Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators: 10th percentile $18.34, 25th percentile $21.60, 75th percentile $29.69, 90th percentile $35.53. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  9. BLS OEWS FAQ: a percentile wage is a boundary. The median (50th percentile) separates the highest-paid 50% from the lowest-paid 50% of workers in the occupation. OEWS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  10. BLS OEWS, May 2025: about 169,450 people were employed as Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators in the US (wage and salary jobs, not counting self-employed workers). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  11. BLS OEWS FAQ: OEWS covers part-time and full-time workers paid a wage or salary. It does not cover the self-employed, owners and partners in unincorporated firms, household workers or unpaid family workers. OEWS wages do not include nonproduction bonuses or employer costs of benefits such as health insurance or retirement contributions. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  12. Median annual wage for Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators in every state with published data, May 2025 (table on this page). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  13. BLS OEWS, May 2025, states with the most Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators jobs: California 21,680; Ohio 21,250; Texas 13,190; Indiana 9,690; Wisconsin 8,330. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  14. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the highest median annual wage for Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators (areas with at least 100 jobs): Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $109,600; Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH $64,180; Albany, OR $64,170; Fargo, ND-MN $63,610; Huntsville, AL $61,790; Manchester-Nashua, NH $61,650; Sandusky, OH $61,360; Mobile, AL $61,340. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  15. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the most Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators jobs: Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA 10,450 (median $54,980); Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN 5,480 (median $48,660); Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX 5,200 (median $50,280); Cleveland, OH 4,770 (median $48,670); Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX 3,150 (median $47,990); Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI 3,010 (median $57,850). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  16. The BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook profile "Metal and Plastic Machine Workers" covers Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators together with other related occupations, so its text describes the wider group. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  17. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  18. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Training. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  19. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Training. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  20. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  21. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Training. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  22. O*NET 51-9161.00 survey of workers (38 respondents), education level they say is required: High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) 48%, Post-Secondary Certificate 21%, Some College Courses 17%, Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree 7% (levels under 5% not listed). O*NET OnLine
  23. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  24. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Advancement. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  25. O*NET description of Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators. O*NET OnLine
  26. O*NET task list for Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators. O*NET OnLine
  27. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, largest employers of metal and plastic machine workers in 2025: Fabricated metal product manufacturing 25%. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  28. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Injuries and Illnesses. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  29. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  30. BLS Employment Projections: 0.5% of Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators were self-employed in 2025. BLS Employment Projections
  31. BLS Employment Projections: employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% from 2025 to 2035. BLS Employment Projections
  32. BLS Employment Projections, factor affecting employment of Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators: Productivity change - share decreases as computer-controlled machine tool programmers are able to control more machines at once, which means fewer operators are needed to handle them. BLS Employment Projections
  33. BLS Employment Projections, 2025-35 annual average for Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators: 2.6% of workers leave the labor force each year and 6.1% move to a different occupation. BLS Employment Projections
  34. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  35. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  36. Related occupations (O*NET) with BLS pay, growth and entry education. O*NET OnLine

Notes are for reading the data only. They are not facts and cannot be cited: use the wage_scope and percentile_meaning facts instead. OEWS employment (jobs in May 2025) and Employment Projections employment (2025, includes self-employed) are different measures and can differ. O*NET education shares come from a small survey of workers in the occupation, not from all workers. The Occupational Outlook Handbook text covers a wider group of occupations than this page.

This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerFacts has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.