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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a CNC Programmer, Lead in Colorado is $111,720 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $54.
However, a CNC Programmer, Lead's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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CNC Programmer, Lead Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $122,300 | $10,192 | $2,352 | $59 |
| Average | $111,720 | $9,310 | $2,148 | $54 |
| 25th Percentile | $104,890 | $8,741 | $2,017 | $50 |
Advantage Manufacturing of Colorado Springs - Colorado Springs, CO
CoorsTek - Golden, CO
Integrated Polymer Solutions - Fountain, CO
CoorsTek, Inc. - Golden, CO
A CNC Programmer, Lead's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of a CNC Programmer, Lead's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:
| Job Role | Years of Experience | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| CNC Programmer, Entry | 0-2 years | $64,681 |
| CNC Programmer, Experienced | 2-4 years | $73,815 |
| CNC Programmer, Senior | 4-7 years | $87,012 |
| CNC Programmer, Lead | 7+ years | $111,716 |
What Am I Worth?
Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract CNC Programmer, Leads. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:
CNC Programmer, Lead salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $125,459. While startup companies pay approximate $106,189.
| Company Size | Employees | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | 1~50 | $106,189 |
| Growth Stage | 51~500 | $112,278 |
| Established | 501~5000 | $121,170 |
| Enterprise | 5000+ | $125,459 |
For CNC Programmer, Lead roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the MFG Nondurable and Aerospace & Defense sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, CNC Programmer, Lead positions in Software & Networking or MFG Durable typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view CNC Programmer, Lead as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| MFG Nondurable | $134,064 | $64.0 | 20% |
| Aerospace & Defense | $122,892 | $59.0 | 10% |
Understanding how a CNC Programmer, Lead's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $122,300 | $10,192 | $2,352 | $59 |
| Average | $111,720 | $9,310 | $2,148 | $54 |
| 25th Percentile | $104,890 | $8,741 | $2,017 | $50 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current CNC Programmer, Lead job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Woodward
Fort Collins, CO
Woodward | Fort Collins, CO
CNC Programmer. Woodward is committed to creating a great workplace for all team members. Our company and its members are committed to acting with integrit... more
5 Days Ago
PRECISION MACHINED PRODUCTS
Fort Collins, CO
PRECISION MACHINED PRODUCTS | Fort Collins, CO
Job Description. Job Description. Description. Job/Position Summary. Generally, the CNC Machinist V-Programmer II creates, updates, adjusts, and verifies c... more
5 Days Ago
Skyline Products
Colorado Springs, CO
Skyline Products | Colorado Springs, CO
Job Title. Under minimal supervision, provide programs for CNC punch presses, CNC laser, and CNC press brakes to manufacture parts as required to meet prod... more
6 Days Ago
Goodwill of Colorado
Colorado Springs, CO
Goodwill of Colorado | Colorado Springs, CO
Job Title. Under minimal supervision, provide programs for CNC punch presses, CNC laser, and CNC press brakes to manufacture parts as required to meet prod... more
6 Days Ago
St. Vrain Manufacturing, Inc.
Longmont, CO
St. Vrain Manufacturing, Inc. | Longmont, CO
Job Description. Job Description. Machinists. Established shop in Longmont, Co looking for experienced CNC. Programmer/Machinists. Must be highly skilled a... more
6 Days Ago
Beehive Industries
Englewood, CO
Beehive Industries | Englewood, CO
Senior Machinist/Programmer. Beehive Industries is dedicated to Powering American Defense by revolutionizing the design, development, and delivery of jet p... more
7 Days Ago
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