State medians come from the same OEWS release as the national figures. The cost-of-living column divides each state median by that state's BEA Regional Price Parity, restating pay in national-average dollars so a high-cost state and a low-cost one can be compared directly.
Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator Salary (2026): Data, Outlook & How to Become One
Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators earn a median of $50,690 per year ($24.37/hr) (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Employment is projected to fall 10.7% through 2034, with about 13,500 openings a year (BLS EP, 2024–2034). Typical entry-level education: High school diploma or equivalent.
SOC 51-9161ProductionLast updated August 15, 2026
- Median pay
- $50,690
- Projected growth
- -10.7%
- Openings a year
- 13,500
- Typical education
- High school
BLS OEWS, May 2025
BLS EP, 2024–2034
BLS EP, 2024–2034
BLS EP, 2024–2034
Also advertised as: CNC Gear Operator (Computer Numerical Control Gear Operator), CNC Lathe Operator (Computer Numerical Control Lathe Operator), CNC Machine Operator (Computer Numerical Control Machine Operator), CNC Machinist (Computer Numerical Control Machinist), CNC Mill Operator (Computer Numerical Control Mill Operator), CNC Operator (Computer Numerical Control Operator).
How much do Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators make?
10th percentile$38,140
Entry / lowest-paid tenth
25th percentile$44,930
Lower quartile
Median (50th)$50,690
Half earn more, half earn less
75th percentile$61,760
Upper quartile
90th percentile$73,890
Top-paid tenth
| Median annual wage | $50,690 |
|---|---|
| Median hourly wage | $24.37/hr |
| Mean annual wage | $54,320 |
| People employed | 169,450 |
Versus all US occupations
At $50,690, the median for Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators sits in line with the $50,980 median across all US occupations.
Versus production occupations
Inside the Production group, where the middle occupation pays $47,920, this is 6% above the group median.
Pay range
The top 10% earn $73,890 or more while the bottom 10% earn $38,140, a gap of 1.9×. That is a typical spread for a US occupation.
Rank in the bank
This median pays more than 31% of the 923 occupations in the NueCareer career bank.
Highest-paying state
Washington pays the most at $107,920, and still leads at $100,848 once local prices are taken into account.
Which states pay Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators the most?
| State | Median | COL-adjusted | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $107,920 | $100,848 | 2,270 |
| Massachusetts | $61,630 | $58,275 | 2,500 |
| North Dakota | $60,250 | $67,728 | 250 |
| Connecticut | $59,840 | $57,755 | 2,740 |
| New Hampshire | $59,730 | $57,342 | 1,770 |
| Maine | $59,660 | $61,473 | 440 |
| Vermont | $57,500 | $58,699 | 1,190 |
| Rhode Island | $57,390 | $56,111 | 540 |
| Minnesota | $56,780 | $57,574 | 4,290 |
| Oregon | $56,670 | $54,827 | 2,920 |
Is Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator a growing career?
Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators-10.7%
All US occupations3.1%
-10.7% projected growth vs 3.1% for all occupations.
Declining
BLS projects employment of Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators to change -10.7% over 2024–2034, while total US employment is projected to rise 3.1%. That is 19,000 fewer jobs.
Annual openings
About 13,500 openings are projected each year, 7.6% of the 177,100 jobs that existed in 2024. Most come from workers leaving the occupation, not from growth alone.
Overall employment of metal and plastic machine workers is projected to grow 7 percent from 2024 to 2034, decline.
Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
Projected employment of metal and plastic machine workers varies by occupation (see table).
One of the most important factors influencing employment of these workers is the use of laborsaving machinery. Many firms are continuing to expand the use of technologies, such as computer numerically controlled (CNC) tools and robots, to improve quality and lower production costs. The use of CNC equipment requires CNC tool programmers instead of machine setters, operators, and tenders. Therefore, demand for most manual tool operators and tenders is likely to be reduced, while demand for CNC tool programmers is expected to be strong.
How to become a Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator
Metal and plastic workers typically need a high school diploma to enter the occupation and receive 1 year of on-the-job training. Computer numerically controlled (CNC) tool programmers typically need postsecondary education.
| Typical entry-level education | High school diploma or equivalent |
|---|---|
| Preparation needed (O*NET job zone) | Little or no preparation |
| Work experience in a related occupation | None |
| Typical on-the-job training | Moderate-term on-the-job training |
What education people in the job have
O*NET incumbent survey: the highest level of education reported by people already working as computer numerically controlled tool operators.
- High School Diploma48.2%
- Post-Secondary Certificate21.2%
- Some College Courses16.8%
- Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)7.1%
- Less than a High School Diploma3.5%
What does a Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator do?
Operate computer-controlled tools, machines, or robots to machine or process parts, tools, or other work pieces made of metal, plastic, wood, stone, or other materials. May also set up and maintain equipment.
Metal and plastic machine workers set up and operate equipment that cuts, shapes, and forms metal and plastic materials or pieces.
Day-to-day tasks
- Set up and operate computer-controlled machines or robots to perform one or more machine functions on metal or plastic workpieces.
- Measure dimensions of finished workpieces to ensure conformance to specifications, using precision measuring instruments, templates, and fixtures.
- Stop machines to remove finished workpieces or to change tooling, setup, or workpiece placement, according to required machining sequences.
- Listen to machines during operation to detect sounds such as those made by dull cutting tools or excessive vibration, and adjust machines to compensate for problems.
- Mount, install, align, and secure tools, attachments, fixtures, and workpieces on machines, using hand tools and precision measuring instruments.
- Confer with supervisors or programmers to resolve machine malfunctions or production errors or to obtain approval to continue production.
- Clean machines, tooling, or parts, using solvents or solutions and rags.
- Maintain machines and remove and replace broken or worn machine tools, using hand tools.
O*NET core tasks, ordered by reported importance.
Core skills
- Critical Thinking3.6/5
- Monitoring3.6/5
- Active Listening3.1/5
- Speaking3.0/5
- Reading Comprehension2.9/5
- Active Learning2.9/5
- Mathematics2.8/5
- Writing2.6/5
Transferable skills
- Operations Monitoring4.1/5
- Operation and Control4.1/5
- Quality Control Analysis3.4/5
- Complex Problem Solving3.1/5
- Troubleshooting3.1/5
- Equipment Maintenance3.0/5
- Repairing3.0/5
- Judgment and Decision Making3.0/5
Tools and software
- Computer aided design CAD software · in demand
- Electronic mail software · in demand
- Enterprise resource planning ERP software · in demand
- Office suite software · in demand
- Presentation software · in demand
- Project management software · in demand
- Spreadsheet software · in demand
- Word processing software · in demand
- Analytical or scientific software
- Computer aided manufacturing CAM software
- Desktop communications software
- Development environment software
“In demand” marks an O*NET Employer-Based Hot Technology, software named in real job postings for this occupation.
What personality type suits a Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator?
Interest profile: O*NET Occupational Interests, scored 1–7
Realisticprimary6.4
Investigative2.9
Artistic1.2
Social1.0
Enterprising1.4
Conventionalprimary5.4
Day to day this is work built around hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors, combined with organising, following procedures and working precisely with data.
Closest MBTI types
NueCareer fit scores: cosine similarity between each MBTI type's interest vector and this occupation's O*NET interest profile. Not a BLS or O*NET figure; the method is documented on our methodology page.
Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator: frequently asked questions
How much do Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators make?
Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators earn a median of $50,690 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025), close to the $50,980 median for all US occupations. That works out at $24.37/hr. The middle half earn between $44,930 and $61,760. The top 10% earn $73,890 or more.
Do you need a degree to become a Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator?
No. A bachelor's degree is not the norm: BLS reports a high school diploma or equivalent as the typical entry-level education for Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators. BLS also lists moderate-term on-the-job training as typical on-the-job training. In O*NET's survey of people already doing the job, 48.2% hold high school diploma.
Is Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator a growing career?
No. BLS projects employment to fall 10.7% over 2024–2034, a loss of 19,000 jobs (BLS EP, 2024–2034). BLS still projects about 13,500 openings a year, mostly from workers retiring or moving to other work.
What does a Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator do?
Metal and plastic machine workers set up and operate equipment that cuts, shapes, and forms metal and plastic materials or pieces. A core O*NET task: set up and operate computer-controlled machines or robots to perform one or more machine functions on metal or plastic workpieces. Employers most often ask for Computer aided design CAD software, Electronic mail software, Enterprise resource planning ERP software.
Which states pay Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators the most?
The highest state medians for Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators are Washington ($107,920), Massachusetts ($61,630), North Dakota ($60,250) (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
What personality type suits a Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator?
O*NET scores Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators highest on the Realistic and Conventional interest areas, so the work mixes hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors with organising, following procedures and working precisely with data. On NueCareer's MBTI-to-interest mapping that lines up most closely with ISTJ personalities. Personality is a fit signal, not a gate. The free NueCareer quiz scores your own profile against all 923 occupations in the bank.