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Hourly Wage for CNC Programmer/Set-Up II Salary in the United States

What is the hourly salary range of CNC Programmer/Set-Up II?

As of August 01, 2026, the average hourly rate for a CNC Programmer/Set-Up II in the United States is $35, which translates to an annual salary of about $72,390.

However, the hourly wage can vary significantly based on several factors. Here’s a detailed look at the typical pay range per hour:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $41 per hour
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $31 to $38 per hour
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $28 per hour
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Paid Annually Paid Monthly Paid Semimonthly Paid Biweekly Paid Weekly Paid Hourly
View as table View as graph 25% $31 10% $28 90% $41 75% $38 $35 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

CNC Programmer/Set-Up II Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary		 Monthly
Pay		 Weekly
Pay		 Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $78,990 $6,583 $1,519 $38
Average $72,390 $6,033 $1,392 $35
25th Percentile $65,490 $5,458 $1,259 $31
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Key Factors That Influence CNC Programmer/Set-Up II Salaries

A CNC Programmer/Set-Up II'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, education, and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects CNC Programmer/Set-Up Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a CNC Programmer/Set-Up II'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:

  • CNC Programmer, Entry (0-2 years): $63,394
  • CNC Programmer/Set-Up II (2-4 years): $72,346
  • CNC Programmer, Senior (4-7 years): $85,281
  • CNC Programmer, Lead (7+ years): $109,493
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
CNC Programmer, Entry0-2 years$63,394
CNC Programmer/Set-Up II2-4 years$72,346
CNC Programmer, Senior4-7 years$85,281
CNC Programmer, Lead7+ years$109,493
$63,394 CNC Progr...
$72,346 CNC Progr...
$85,281 CNC Progr...
$109,493 CNC Progr...
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for CNC Programmer/Set-Up IIs

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:

  • San Jose: $91,290
  • San Francisco: $90,290
  • Oakland: $88,390

What Skills Can Increase a CNC Programmer/Set-Up II's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Process Improvement (Mentioned in 1.66% Job Postings): Analyzing and improving existing processes and workflows to minimize process errors and streamline organizational efficiency.
  • Continuous Improvement (Mentioned in 1.39% Job Postings): A continual improvement process, also often called a continuous improvement process (abbreviated as CIP or CI), is an ongoing effort to improve products, services, or processes. These efforts can seek "incremental" improvement over time or "breakthrough" improvement all at once. Delivery (customer valued) processes are constantly evaluated and improved in the light of their efficiency, effectiveness and flexibility. Some see CIPs as a meta-process for most management systems (such as business process management, quality management, project management, and program management). W. Edwards Deming, a pioneer of the field, saw it as part of the 'system' whereby feedback from the process and customer were evaluated against organisational goals. The fact that it can be called a management process does not mean that it needs to be executed by 'management'; but rather merely that it makes decisions about the implementation of the delivery process and the design of the delivery process itself.
  • Quality Control (Mentioned in 0.87% Job Postings): Developing and implementing a set of procedures intended to maintain the quality of a product and reduce any risks or errors.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Process Improvement 1.66%
Continuous Improvement 1.39%
Quality Control 0.87%
What skills can make your compensation higher?
Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a CNC Programmer/Set-Up II's salary.
  • Word Processing: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
  • Project Management: Can increase your salary by up to 3%.
  • Production Schedule: Can increase your salary by up to 3%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Word Processing
 $75,286
4%
Project Management
 $74,562
3%
Production Schedule
 $74,562
3%
Technical Support
 $74,562
3%
Decision Making
 $74,562
3%
Initiative
 $73,838
2%
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CNC Programmer/Set-Up II Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

CNC Programmer/Set-Up II salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $81,903. While startup companies pay approximate $69,331.

CNC Programmer/Set-Up II Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup1~50$69,331
Growth Stage51~500$73,306
Established501~5000$79,107
Enterprise5000+$81,903

CNC Programmer/Set-Up II Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For CNC Programmer/Set-Up II 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/Set-Up positions in Energy & Utilities or MFG Nondurable typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view CNC Programmer/Set-Up II as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a CNC Programmer/Set-Up II

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Aerospace & Defense$86,868$42.020%
MFG Durable$79,629$38.010%

How Education impacts a CNC Programmer/Set-Up II's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many CNC Programmer/Set-Up IIs enter the field with a Associate's Degree degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a CNC Programmer/Set-Up II with a Associate's Degree is between $71,336 and $76,603).

CNC Programmer/Set-Up II Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for CNC Programmer/Set-Up II
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 2.4%
High School 61.0%
Associates 22.0%
Bachelors 13.4%
Masters 1.2%
Doctorate 0.0%
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CNC Programmer/Set-Up II Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a CNC Programmer/Set-Up II'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.

  • Yearly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Hourly
  • Table View
Last Updated on August 01, 2026
$65,490
Average $72,390/year
$78,990
$5,458
Average $6,033/month
$6,583
$1,259
Average $1,392/week
$1,519
$31
Average $35/hour
$38
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $78,990 $6,583 $1,519 $38
Average $72,390 $6,033 $1,392 $35
25th Percentile $65,490 $5,458 $1,259 $31

Salaries of jobs related to CNC Programmer/Set-Up II

Salary Trends for CNC Programmer/Set-Up II

Salaries for a CNC Programmer/Set-Up II can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary increased from $67,512 in 2023 to around $68,052 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of CNC Programmer/Set-Up II salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of CNC Programmer/Set-Up II Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$67,512
2024
$68,248
2025
$68,052
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $67,512
2024 $68,248
2025 $68,052
2026
View More
2027
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Most common benefits for CNC Programmer/Set-Up II

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for CNC Programmer/Set-Up II

Here are companies hiring for CNC Programmer/Set-Up II and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about CNC Programmer/Set-Up II

1. What industry pays the highest salary for CNC Programmer/Set-Up II?

The Aerospace & Defense industry offers the highest average compensation for CNC Programmer/Set-Up II roles, with salaries approximately 20% above the market median.

2. How much does a 5 axis CNC programmer make?

A 5-axis CNC programmer typically earns between $69,090 and $88,390 annually, with a median salary of around $78,790. While some cities may offer lower salaries, the overall compensation for skilled CNC programmers reflects their expertise and the complexity of their work.

3. Do CNC operators make good money?

CNC Programmers/Set-Up professionals can earn competitive salaries, with a minimum of $69,090, a mid-range of $78,790, and a maximum of $88,390 annually. This indicates that CNC operators can indeed make good money, especially when compared to the average hourly pay and salary ranges reported in California.

4. What is the highest salary for a cnc programmer?

The highest salary for a CNC Programmer/Set-Up is approximately $88,390 annually. In India, salaries vary by city, with Jamnagar, Gujarat, offering around ?29,702 per month, while Bengaluru, Karnataka, pays about ?28,308 per month. Other cities like Pune, Mumbai, and Chennai also provide competitive salaries, but they are generally lower than the maximum salary range.

5. Do CNC programmers need a degree?

CNC programmers typically need at least a high school diploma or GED. While some pursue associate degrees for advanced skills, it's not mandatory. The salary for CNC programmers ranges from $69,090 to $88,390, with a median salary of $78,790, reflecting the importance of technical training in this field.

6. Can you make good money in CNC?

Yes, you can make good money in CNC. CNC Programmers/Set-Ups earn between $69,090 and $88,390 annually, with a median salary of $78,790. Offering custom furniture and cabinetry services is one of the most profitable avenues in CNC woodworking, allowing skilled professionals to maximize their earnings.

7. Can you make money with a CNC at home?

Yes, you can make money with CNC router projects! From decorative items to kitchen tools and toys, there are numerous opportunities for profitable CNC-based businesses. As a CNC Programmer/Set-Up, you can expect a salary ranging from $69,090 to $88,390, depending on your experience and skills, making it a viable option for income generation.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third-party data sources. We also provide multiple percentiles of salary information for your reference, click here to know Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial to Getting Pay Equity Right. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.

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