Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators Salary in the United States
The median annual wage for computer numerically controlled tool operators in the U.S. is $50,690 ($24.37 per hour), according to the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program, May 2025 estimates.
- Median annual wage
- $50,690
- Mean annual wage
- $54,320
- Median hourly wage
- $24.37
- Employment
- 169,450
169,450 employed
Wage percentiles
| Percentile | Annual wage | Hourly wage |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $38,140 | $18.34 |
| 25th percentile | $44,930 | $21.60 |
| Median (50th) | $50,690 | $24.37 |
| 75th percentile | $61,760 | $29.69 |
| 90th percentile | $73,890 | $35.53 |
Highest-paying states for computer numerically controlled tool operators
| State | Median annual wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Washington | $107,920 | 2,270 |
| Massachusetts | $61,630 | 2,500 |
| North Dakota | $60,250 | 250 |
| Connecticut | $59,840 | 2,740 |
| New Hampshire | $59,730 | 1,770 |
| Maine | $59,660 | 440 |
| Vermont | $57,500 | 1,190 |
| Rhode Island | $57,390 | 540 |
| Minnesota | $56,780 | 4,290 |
| Oregon | $56,670 | 2,920 |
Lowest-paying states
- Mississippi: $39,520 median annual wage
- New Mexico: $44,970 median annual wage
- Utah: $45,140 median annual wage
- Florida: $46,170 median annual wage
- Nevada: $46,670 median annual wage
About this occupation
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.
Typical tasks
- Mount, install, align, and secure tools, attachments, fixtures, and workpieces on machines, using hand tools and precision measuring instruments.
- Maintain machines and remove and replace broken or worn machine tools, using hand tools.
- Monitor machine operation and control panel displays, and compare readings to specifications to detect malfunctions.
- Stop machines to remove finished workpieces or to change tooling, setup, or workpiece placement, according to required machining sequences.
- Clean machines, tooling, or parts, using solvents or solutions and rags.
- Confer with supervisors or programmers to resolve machine malfunctions or production errors or to obtain approval to continue production.
Education of the current workforce — typical entry: High school diploma or equivalent
| Education level | Share of workers |
|---|---|
| Less than high school diploma | 10.4% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 40.7% |
| Some college, no degree | 26.2% |
| Associate's degree | 11.9% |
| Bachelor's degree | 9.3% |
| Master's degree | 0.9% |
| Doctoral or professional degree | 0.7% |
Occupation profile data from CareerOneStop, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor.
Related occupations
- Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators$44,650
- First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers$74,450
- Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers$48,570
- Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers$53,750
- Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders$43,220
- Machinists$58,750
- Production Workers, All Other$40,110
- Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers$45,850
About this data
- Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — data period May 2025, retrieved August 13, 2026.
- Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — data period May 2025, retrieved August 13, 2026.
- CareerOneStop Occupation Profiles — data period 2026-08, retrieved August 14, 2026.
Figures are shown exactly as published by the source or derived by the documented formulas on our methodology page. Where a source suppresses an estimate, we show “—” rather than a substitute value.