CNC Operator Salary: United States
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The median annual wage for Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators (SOC 51-9161) in the United States was $50,690 in May 2025 (BLS). The middle half of workers in this occupation and area earned between $44,930 and $61,760. This is the broader occupation used for CNC Operator, not a separately surveyed rate for that title or credential.
Broader occupation Our title "CNC Operator" is reported by BLS as SOC 51-9161 Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators. BLS groups CNC Operator within Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators; it does not publish this niche title or credential level separately.
Annual wages: Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators (SOC 51-9161)
Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators (SOC 51-9161), the United States, annual wages: 10% earned less than $38,140, half earned less than the median of $50,690, 90% earned less than $73,890 (BLS, May 2025).
| Measure | Annual wage | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $38,140 | 10% of workers in this occupation and area earned less than this. |
| 25th percentile | $44,930 | 25% earned less than this. |
| Median (50th) | $50,690 | Half earned less, half earned more. |
| 75th percentile | $61,760 | 75% earned less than this. |
| 90th percentile | $73,890 | 90% earned less than this. |
| Mean | $54,320 | Arithmetic average of reported wages. |
Hourly wages: Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators (SOC 51-9161)
Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators (SOC 51-9161), the United States, hourly wages: 10% earned less than $18.34, half earned less than the median of $24.37, 90% earned less than $35.53 (BLS, May 2025).
| Measure | Hourly wage | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $18.34 per hour | 10% of workers in this occupation and area earned less than this. |
| 25th percentile | $21.60 per hour | 25% earned less than this. |
| Median (50th) | $24.37 per hour | Half earned less, half earned more. |
| 75th percentile | $29.69 per hour | 75% earned less than this. |
| 90th percentile | $35.53 per hour | 90% earned less than this. |
| Mean | $26.11 per hour | Arithmetic average of reported wages. |
Employment: BLS estimates 169,450 workers in this occupation nationally.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. SOC 51-9161 Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators, National.
What BLS wages measure. OEWS estimates describe straight-time gross wages, not just base salary and not total compensation. They include commissions and production bonuses. They exclude overtime, shift differentials, nonproduction bonuses and benefits. Discuss travel, per diem, tool and truck allowances separately. Percentiles describe the occupation's wage distribution, not seniority, plant size, job complexity or credentials. Licensing, union agreements and prevailing-wage obligations depend on the work and assignment; these figures do not establish a premium for them.
Official BLS wage definitions | Source dates and methodology
BLS definitions, verbatim
wages
Base rate; cost-of-living allowances; guaranteed pay; hazardous-duty pay; incentive pay, including commissions and production bonuses; and tips are included. Excluded are overtime pay, severance pay, shift differentials, nonproduction bonuses, employer cost for supplementary benefits, and tuition reimbursements.
hours
Annual wages have been calculated by multiplying the hourly wages by 2,080 hours; for occupations where hourly wages are not published, annual wages were taken directly from the reported survey data.
Target metros
New York City and Northern New Jersey share the New York-Newark-Jersey City BLS area and one estimate, shown once below.
| Metro | Median | 25th to 75th percentile | Employment | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL | $48,360 | $42,250 to $59,760 | 840 | 0.27 |
| Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL | $45,570 | $41,900 to $48,580 | 980 | 0.62 |
| Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL | $45,110 | $38,270 to $51,630 | 340 | 0.22 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $50,750 | $45,100 to $61,250 | 220 | 0.27 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $58,900 | $47,020 to $64,850 | 2,770 | 0.27 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | $47,990 | $38,270 to $60,200 | 3,150 | 0.71 |
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | $50,280 | $41,600 to $60,610 | 5,200 | 1.45 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $48,660 | $42,850 to $61,460 | 5,480 | 1.11 |
How does CNC Operator pay differ by industry?
These are national industry estimates for SOC 51-9161, not local offers or separate estimates for the niche title. Industry names are exactly as BLS publishes them.
| Industry | NAICS | Median | Basis | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Utilities | 22 | $59,320 | Annual | 50 |
| Utilities | 221000 | $59,320 | Annual | 50 |
| Construction | 23 | $48,870 | Annual | 1,290 |
| Construction of Buildings | 236000 | $45,480 | Annual | 200 |
| Residential Building Construction | 236100 | $36,080 | Annual | 40 |
| Nonresidential Building Construction | 236200 | $48,570 | Annual | 160 |
| Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction | 237000 | $50,510 | Annual | 90 |
| Utility System Construction | 237100 | $50,510 | Annual | Not published by BLS |
| Specialty Trade Contractors | 238000 | $49,390 | Annual | 1,000 |
| Foundation, Structure, and Building Exterior Contractors | 238100 | $47,720 | Annual | 340 |
| Building Equipment Contractors | 238200 | $73,190 | Annual | 80 |
| Building Finishing Contractors | 238300 | $49,920 | Annual | 490 |
| Other Specialty Trade Contractors | 238900 | $40,800 | Annual | 90 |
| Food Manufacturing | 311000 | $46,070 | Annual | 840 |
| Animal Food Manufacturing | 311100 | $47,230 | Annual | 200 |
| Dairy Product Manufacturing | 311500 | $60,850 | Annual | 110 |
| Animal Slaughtering and Processing | 311600 | $46,070 | Annual | 350 |
| Bakeries and Tortilla Manufacturing | 311800 | $41,670 | Annual | Not published by BLS |
| Beverage and Tobacco Product Manufacturing | 312000 | $49,170 | Annual | 60 |
| Beverage Manufacturing | 312100 | $49,170 | Annual | 60 |
| Manufacturing | 31-33 | $50,910 | Annual | 154,890 |
| Textile Product Mills | 314000 | $45,800 | Annual | 70 |
| Other Textile Product Mills | 314900 | $42,290 | Annual | 50 |
| Wood Product Manufacturing | 321000 | $51,290 | Annual | 1,310 |
| Sawmills and Wood Preservation | 321100 | $53,330 | Annual | 30 |
| Veneer, Plywood, and Engineered Wood Product Manufacturing | 321200 | $47,910 | Annual | 140 |
| Other Wood Product Manufacturing | 321900 | $52,220 | Annual | 1,140 |
| Paper Manufacturing | 322000 | $52,670 | Annual | 1,610 |
| Pulp, Paper, and Paperboard Mills | 322100 | $60,150 | Annual | 470 |
| Converted Paper Product Manufacturing | 322200 | $48,820 | Annual | 1,140 |
| Printing and Related Support Activities | 323000 | $36,290 | Annual | 770 |
| Printing and Related Support Activities | 323100 | $36,290 | Annual | 770 |
| Chemical Manufacturing | 325000 | $59,490 | Annual | 410 |
| Chemical Manufacturing (3251, 3252, 3253, and 3259 only) | 3250A1 | $63,170 | Annual | 80 |
| Chemical Manufacturing (3255 and 3256 only) | 3250A2 | $37,860 | Annual | 50 |
| Pharmaceutical and Medicine Manufacturing | 325400 | $62,810 | Annual | 270 |
| Plastics and Rubber Products Manufacturing | 326000 | $45,920 | Annual | 4,520 |
| Plastics Product Manufacturing | 326100 | $45,920 | Annual | 4,060 |
| Rubber Product Manufacturing | 326200 | $45,570 | Annual | 460 |
| Nonmetallic Mineral Product Manufacturing | 327000 | $52,940 | Annual | 2,610 |
| Primary Metal Manufacturing | 331000 | $55,460 | Annual | 5,810 |
| Iron and Steel Mills and Ferroalloy Manufacturing | 331100 | $66,970 | Annual | 1,490 |
| Steel Product Manufacturing from Purchased Steel | 331200 | $61,520 | Annual | 860 |
| Alumina and Aluminum Production and Processing | 331300 | $47,430 | Annual | 700 |
| Nonferrous Metal (except Aluminum) Production and Processing | 331400 | $60,160 | Annual | 170 |
| Foundries | 331500 | $49,030 | Annual | 2,590 |
| Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing | 332000 | $50,460 | Annual | 57,940 |
| Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing (3321, 3322, 3325, 3326, and 3329 only) | 3320A1 | $49,610 | Annual | 17,400 |
| Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing (3323 and 3324 only) | 3320A2 | $52,270 | Annual | 8,090 |
| Machine Shops; Turned Product; and Screw, Nut, and Bolt Manufacturing | 332700 | $50,510 | Annual | 32,130 |
| Coating, Engraving, Heat Treating, and Allied Activities | 332800 | $49,240 | Annual | 320 |
| Machinery Manufacturing | 333000 | $53,240 | Annual | 29,440 |
| Machinery Manufacturing (3331, 3332, 3334, and 3339 only) | 3330A1 | $53,830 | Annual | 16,020 |
| Commercial and Service Industry Machinery Manufacturing | 333300 | $57,490 | Annual | 860 |
| Metalworking Machinery Manufacturing | 333500 | $51,760 | Annual | 10,020 |
| Engine, Turbine, and Power Transmission Equipment Manufacturing | 333600 | $51,540 | Annual | 2,540 |
| Computer and Electronic Product Manufacturing | 334000 | $48,910 | Annual | 7,910 |
| Computer and Peripheral Equipment Manufacturing | 334100 | $50,450 | Annual | 310 |
| Communications Equipment Manufacturing | 334200 | $51,600 | Annual | 280 |
| Audio and Video Equipment Manufacturing | 334300 | $62,270 | Annual | 110 |
| Semiconductor and Other Electronic Component Manufacturing | 334400 | $46,770 | Annual | 3,070 |
| Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing | 334500 | $49,620 | Annual | 4,130 |
| Electrical Equipment, Appliance, and Component Manufacturing | 335000 | $54,180 | Annual | 3,970 |
| Electric Lighting Equipment Manufacturing | 335100 | $48,990 | Annual | 360 |
| Household Appliance Manufacturing | 335200 | $50,590 | Annual | 240 |
| Electrical Equipment Manufacturing | 335300 | $56,520 | Annual | 1,820 |
| Other Electrical Equipment and Component Manufacturing | 335900 | $53,530 | Annual | 1,550 |
| Transportation Equipment Manufacturing | 336000 | $54,730 | Annual | 26,450 |
| Motor Vehicle Body and Trailer Manufacturing | 336200 | $46,630 | Annual | 1,490 |
| Motor Vehicle Parts Manufacturing | 336300 | $47,650 | Annual | 9,200 |
| Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing | 336400 | $61,580 | Annual | 13,470 |
| Railroad Rolling Stock Manufacturing | 336500 | $60,430 | Annual | Not published by BLS |
| Ship and Boat Building | 336600 | $51,460 | Annual | 370 |
| Other Transportation Equipment Manufacturing | 336900 | $48,320 | Annual | 510 |
| Furniture and Related Product Manufacturing | 337000 | $47,400 | Annual | 3,420 |
| Furniture and Related Product Manufacturing (3371 and 3372 only) | 3370A1 | $47,470 | Annual | 3,370 |
| Other Furniture Related Product Manufacturing | 337900 | $41,040 | Annual | 50 |
| Miscellaneous Manufacturing | 339000 | $48,810 | Annual | 7,760 |
| Medical Equipment and Supplies Manufacturing | 339100 | $48,580 | Annual | 4,760 |
| Other Miscellaneous Manufacturing | 339900 | $49,680 | Annual | 3,000 |
| Support Activities for Transportation | 488000 | $43,790 | Annual | Not published by BLS |
| Warehousing and Storage | 493000 | $51,990 | Annual | 110 |
| Warehousing and Storage | 493100 | $51,990 | Annual | 110 |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 54 | $58,540 | Annual | 1,560 |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 541000 | $58,540 | Annual | 1,560 |
| Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services | 541300 | $61,790 | Annual | 790 |
| Specialized Design Services | 541400 | $51,790 | Annual | 70 |
| Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services | 541600 | $58,540 | Annual | Not published by BLS |
| Scientific Research and Development Services | 541700 | $65,820 | Annual | 220 |
| Repair and Maintenance | 811000 | $60,360 | Annual | 780 |
| Electronic and Precision Equipment Repair and Maintenance | 811200 | $62,580 | Annual | 110 |
| Commercial and Industrial Machinery and Equipment (except Automotive and Electronic) Repair and Maintenance | 811300 | $60,320 | Annual | 650 |
Industry estimates are national. Do not combine an industry median with a local percentile to invent an industry-specific local rate.
Which related roles have a different BLS occupation?
A supervisory occupation is not an experience percentile for the craft. Compare the actual responsibilities and the published SOC.
Machine Shop Supervisor (51-1011)Which metros publish the highest and lowest medians?
This ranking uses the May 2025 annual median for Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators. It is not adjusted for living costs. A metro is a BLS statistical area, not just the city limits. Top-coded or suppressed medians are not ranked.
| Metro | Median | Employment | Location quotient | Trade median / all-occupations median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $109,600 | 1,960 | 0.86 | 1.51 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $64,180 | 1,890 | 0.64 | 0.96 |
| Albany, OR | $64,170 | 290 | 5.59 | 1.29 |
| Fargo, ND-MN | $63,610 | 110 | 0.7 | 1.25 |
| Morristown, TN | $62,760 | 70 | 1.37 | 1.42 |
| Lewiston, ID-WA | $62,000 | 50 | 1.75 | 1.28 |
| Weirton-Steubenville, WV-OH | $61,830 | 40 | 1.11 | 1.35 |
| Huntsville, AL | $61,790 | 440 | 1.51 | 1.19 |
| Manchester-Nashua, NH | $61,650 | 300 | 1.37 | 1.09 |
| Sandusky, OH | $61,360 | 300 | 5.45 | 1.36 |
| Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR | $41,330 | 250 | 0.83 | 0.89 |
| El Paso, TX | $40,040 | 160 | 0.44 | 1.01 |
| Gadsden, AL | $39,730 | 60 | 1.77 | 1.08 |
| Manhattan, KS | $39,660 | 80 | 1.35 | 0.86 |
| Brownsville-Harlingen, TX | $39,400 | 80 | 0.47 | 1.08 |
| Dalton, GA | $39,030 | 50 | 0.76 | 0.92 |
| Goldsboro, NC | $38,980 | 40 | 0.88 | 0.96 |
| Rome, GA | $38,910 | Not published by BLS | Not published by BLS | 0.91 |
| Mansfield, OH | $38,770 | 560 | 10.6 | 0.87 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $37,220 | 960 | 0.28 | 0.52 |
The wage ratio is simple arithmetic: this occupation's median divided by the all-occupations median in the same area and unit. It is not a cost-of-living measure. Location quotient describes the concentration of employment, not relative pay. Neither predicts what a particular candidate will accept.
What do these published wages mean for an offer?
Skilled Trades Headhunters reads the May 2025 figures for Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators (SOC 51-9161) in National (reference for CNC Operator) as an offer reference, not a quote for a particular candidate. For Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators (SOC 51-9161) in National (reference for CNC Operator), the published median for SOC 51-9161, Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators, is $50,690 per year. The middle half of the Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators (SOC 51-9161) in National (reference for CNC Operator) wage distribution runs from $44,930 to $61,760, a width of $16,830 per year; that spread shows how much published pay varies within the occupation and area, without assigning experience levels.
For the national Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators (SOC 51-9161) comparison used for CNC Operator, Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA reports $54,980 per year while Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN reports $48,660 per year; these are the largest-employment metros with published medians for the occupation, rather than neighboring places to a national estimate. The United States Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators (SOC 51-9161) reference for CNC Operator pools markets with different work scopes and schedules, so use the area table before setting a local offer.
The highest published medians among the selected national industry rows for Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators, read alongside Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators (SOC 51-9161) in National (reference for CNC Operator), are Building Equipment Contractors at $73,190 per year (NAICS 238200); Iron and Steel Mills and Ferroalloy Manufacturing at $66,970 per year (NAICS 331100); Scientific Research and Development Services at $65,820 per year (NAICS 541700). Those Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators (SOC 51-9161) in National (reference for CNC Operator) industry comparisons are national cross-sections, not local industry estimates; BLS does not give us a metro-by-industry wage cut here, and overlapping industry groups should not be added together.
The Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators (SOC 51-9161) in National (reference for CNC Operator) median was $49,970 per year in May 2024, compared with $50,690 in May 2025, a published difference of $720. That Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators (SOC 51-9161) in National (reference for CNC Operator) comparison is between separate BLS releases, not the raise paid to the same workers or a projection of next year's offer. Read the $49,970 and $50,690 Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators (SOC 51-9161) in National (reference for CNC Operator) estimates with both dates visible, because the employers and workers represented by the survey can change.
Before using $50,690 per year from Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators (SOC 51-9161) in National (reference for CNC Operator) to calibrate an offer, separate on-call duties, overtime, travel reimbursement, tool replacement and any truck allowance separately; prevailing wage and union requirements must be checked against the actual assignment. The Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators (SOC 51-9161) in National (reference for CNC Operator) BLS comparison measures straight-time gross wages, including commissions and production bonuses, but excludes overtime, shift differentials, nonproduction bonuses and benefits. A candidate's take-home pay and the employer's total cost for Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators (SOC 51-9161) in National (reference for CNC Operator) can therefore differ from the median without either number being an error.
The mapping for Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators (SOC 51-9161) in National (reference for CNC Operator) is broader: BLS groups CNC Operator within Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators; it does not publish this niche title or credential level separately. For a Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators (SOC 51-9161) in National (reference for CNC Operator) opening, establish the equipment, license requirements and responsibility before deciding which people the pay range should attract. A broader occupation can combine jobs that a Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators (SOC 51-9161) in National (reference for CNC Operator) buyer would screen separately, which is why the badge and SOC remain beside the figures.
Questions about this occupation and area
What does the middle-half band tell a Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators (SOC 51-9161) in National (reference for CNC Operator) buyer?
Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators (SOC 51-9161) in National (reference for CNC Operator) has a published middle-half band of $44,930 to $61,760, a width of $16,830 per year, with median $50,690. An offer inside that Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators (SOC 51-9161) in National (reference for CNC Operator) band is not automatically competitive for every scope; match the required work and the separate pay terms first.
Which areas should I compare before hiring Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators (SOC 51-9161) in National (reference for CNC Operator)?
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA and Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN are the largest-employment comparison markets used for Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators (SOC 51-9161) in National (reference for CNC Operator). Comparing those Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators tables with the $50,690 Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators (SOC 51-9161) in National (reference for CNC Operator) median does not measure commuting costs or predict what a particular applicant will accept.
Are the industry figures local to Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators (SOC 51-9161) in National (reference for CNC Operator)?
Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators (SOC 51-9161) in National (reference for CNC Operator) uses national industry rows for SOC 51-9161, not local sector-specific wages. Building Equipment Contractors leads the selected sortable rows at $73,190 per year, but that national industry figure is not a quoted offer for Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators (SOC 51-9161) in National (reference for CNC Operator).
What changed between the releases for Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators (SOC 51-9161) in National (reference for CNC Operator)?
Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators (SOC 51-9161) in National (reference for CNC Operator) moved from $49,970 in May 2024 to $50,690 in May 2025. These Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators (SOC 51-9161) in National (reference for CNC Operator) published medians do not describe an individual raise or establish a future wage trend.
What changed since May 2024
SOC 51-9161. Published annual median: $49,970 (May 2024) and $50,690 (May 2025). These are two BLS releases, not a projection.