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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a CNC Programmer, Senior in Tennessee is $79,700 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $38.
However, a CNC Programmer, Senior's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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CNC Programmer, Senior Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $89,950 | $7,496 | $1,730 | $43 |
| Average | $79,700 | $6,642 | $1,533 | $38 |
| 25th Percentile | $73,160 | $6,097 | $1,407 | $35 |
Smith & Nephew - USA - Memphis, TN
Interstate Machine Works - Chattanooga, TN
MId-South Machine - Cookeville, TN
AMS Seals Inc - Fairview, TN
A CNC Programmer, Senior'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, Senior'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 | $59,242 |
| CNC Programmer, Experienced | 2-4 years | $67,607 |
| CNC Programmer, Senior | 4-7 years | $79,695 |
| CNC Programmer, Lead | 7+ years | $102,321 |
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, Seniors. 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, Senior salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $90,174. While startup companies pay approximate $76,332.
| Company Size | Employees | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | 1~50 | $76,332 |
| Growth Stage | 51~500 | $80,709 |
| Established | 501~5000 | $87,096 |
| Enterprise | 5000+ | $90,174 |
For CNC Programmer, Senior 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 Aerospace & Defense and MFG Durable sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, CNC Programmer, Senior positions in MFG Nondurable or Energy & Utilities typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view CNC Programmer, Senior as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aerospace & Defense | $95,640 | $46.0 | 20% |
| MFG Durable | $87,670 | $42.0 | 10% |
Understanding how a CNC Programmer, Senior'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 | $89,950 | $7,496 | $1,730 | $43 |
| Average | $79,700 | $6,642 | $1,533 | $38 |
| 25th Percentile | $73,160 | $6,097 | $1,407 | $35 |
For a CNC Programmer, Senior, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the CNC Programmer, Lead role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $102,330 - a projected growth of 28% over your current level.
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current CNC Programmer, Senior job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Greenheck
Knoxville, TN
Greenheck | Knoxville, TN
Ready to join a global leader in air movement and ventilation. At Greenheck Group, joining our team means more than just starting a job, it's joining an aw... more
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Merritt Precision
Sweetwater, TN
Merritt Precision | Sweetwater, TN
CNC Programmer/Mill Operator-EngineerMerritt Precision manufactures highly sophisticated molds for the marine, automotive, and aerospace industry in Merrit... more
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Trident Industries
Knoxville, TN
Trident Industries | Knoxville, TN
Job Description. Job Description. . Responsibilities. o Setup and operate various types of machines (lathes, mills, drills. CNC & Manual, Wire EDM) in more
2 Days Ago
CG Model Tek LLC
Tullahoma, TN
CG Model Tek LLC | Tullahoma, TN
Job Description. Job Description. CNC Programmer using Mastercam 2023 or newer software. Complex 3D parts for the Aerospace R&D industry. Must be profici... more
2 Days Ago
Express Employment Professionals
Nashville, TN
Express Employment Professionals | Nashville, TN
Job SummaryExpress Employment Professionals are seeking a skilled CNC Programmer for a local casework company.The ideal candidate will have a strong backgr... more
3 Days Ago
GOVERNMENT & INDUSTRIAL SUPPLY, INC
Pulaski, TN
GOVERNMENT & INDUSTRIAL SUPPLY, INC | Pulaski, TN
At a Glance Company: Government & Industrial Supply, Inc. (GIS Precision Machining) Location: On-site (add City, State) Job Type: Full-Time Pay Range: $25 ... more
3 Days Ago
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