Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers Salary in the United States
The median annual wage for computer numerically controlled tool programmers in the U.S. is $68,120 ($32.75 per hour), according to the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program, May 2025 estimates.
- Median annual wage
- $68,120
- Mean annual wage
- $72,210
- Median hourly wage
- $32.75
- Employment
- 28,500
28,500 employed
Wage percentiles
| Percentile | Annual wage | Hourly wage |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $47,530 | $22.85 |
| 25th percentile | $58,270 | $28.01 |
| Median (50th) | $68,120 | $32.75 |
| 75th percentile | $81,890 | $39.37 |
| 90th percentile | $100,320 | $48.23 |
Highest-paying states for computer numerically controlled tool programmers
| State | Median annual wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Connecticut | $86,390 | 500 |
| California | $82,090 | 2,990 |
| Massachusetts | $81,670 | 680 |
| Washington | $81,420 | 660 |
| Missouri | $78,130 | 430 |
| Vermont | $77,980 | 140 |
| Kansas | $76,080 | 680 |
| North Dakota | $75,990 | 40 |
| Oregon | $75,150 | 500 |
| Arizona | $74,450 | 470 |
Lowest-paying states
- Mississippi: $50,190 median annual wage
- Arkansas: $56,390 median annual wage
- Nevada: $57,210 median annual wage
- Iowa: $57,780 median annual wage
- Ohio: $60,080 median annual wage
About this occupation
Develop programs to control machining or processing of materials by automatic machine tools, equipment, or systems. May also set up, operate, or maintain equipment.
Typical tasks
- Determine the sequence of machine operations, and select the proper cutting tools needed to machine workpieces into the desired shapes.
- Analyze job orders, drawings, blueprints, specifications, printed circuit board pattern films, and design data to calculate dimensions, tool selection, machine speeds, and feed rates.
- Align and secure pattern film on reference tables of optical programmers, and observe enlarger scope views of printed circuit boards.
- Order tooling for jobs.
- Perform preventative maintenance or minor repairs on machines.
- Revise programs or tapes to eliminate errors, and retest programs to check that problems have been solved.
Education of the current workforce — typical entry: Postsecondary certificate
| 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.