CNC Machine Operator III Salary in the United States
How much does a CNC Machine Operator III make in the United States?
As of July 01, 2026, the average salary for a CNC Machine Operator III in the United States is $71,319 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $34.
However, a CNC Machine Operator III's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
Top Earners (90th percentile): $84,960
Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $63,043 to $78,459
Key Factors That Influence CNC Machine Operator III Salaries
A CNC Machine Operator III'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.
How Experience Level Affects CNC Machine Operator Salaries?
Experience is a primary driver of a CNC Machine Operator III'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 Machine Operator I (1-3 years): $49,518
CNC Machine Operator II (3-5 years): $62,715
CNC Machine Operator III (5-7 years): $71,319
Job Role
Years of Experience
Average Salary
CNC Machine Operator I
1-3 years
$49,518
CNC Machine Operator II
3-5 years
$62,715
CNC Machine Operator III
5-7 years
$71,319
$49,518CNC Machi...
$62,715CNC Machi...
$71,319CNC Machi...
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What Am I Worth?
How Do CNC Machine Operator III Salaries Vary from State to State?
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 Machine Operator IIIs.
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:
San Jose: $89,955
San Francisco: $88,970
Oakland: $87,095
San Jose, CA$89,955
San Francisco, CA$88,970
Oakland, CA$87,095
New York, NY$82,116
Paramus, NJ$81,118
Queens Village, NY$81,114
Passaic, NJ$81,046
Bergenfield, NJ$81,040
Stamford, CT$80,883
Huntington, NY$80,854
Newark, NJ$80,327
Bridgeport, CT$80,176
Vallejo, CA$80,034
New Brunswick, NJ$80,006
Petaluma, CA$79,963
Middlesex, NJ$79,827
Somerset, NJ$79,777
Santa Cruz, CA$79,685
Boston, MA$79,250
Monterey, CA$78,999
Seattle, WA$78,836
Santa Rosa, CA$78,822
Los Angeles, CA$78,800
Juneau, AK$78,615
Washington, DC$78,536
Orange, CA$78,283
Santa Ana, CA$78,094
Long Beach, CA$78,023
Anaheim, CA$78,009
Anchorage, AK$77,973
Santa Maria, CA$77,759
Everett, WA$77,745
Danbury, CT$77,494
Bremerton, WA$77,395
Tacoma, WA$77,139
New Suffolk, NY$77,137
Sacramento, CA$77,117
Santa Barbara, CA$77,039
Trenton, NJ$76,960
San Diego, CA$76,960
Brockton, MA$76,882
Fairbanks, AK$76,707
Lompoc, CA$76,525
Lowell, MA$76,468
Ventura, CA$76,454
Nashua, NH$76,440
Stockton, CA$76,433
Modesto, CA$75,912
Poughkeepsie, NY$75,755
Olympia, WA$75,620
Kennewick, WA$75,620
New Haven, CT$75,591
Lawrence, MA$75,334
Hartford, CT$75,263
Riverside, CA$75,249
New Bedford, MA$75,177
Richland, WA$75,177
Bakersfield, CA$75,078
San Bernardino, CA$75,049
New Britain, CT$75,042
Atlantic City, NJ$75,042
New London, CT$75,013
Norwich, CT$74,992
Portsmouth, NH$74,978
Boulder, CO$74,826
Portland, OR$74,728
Worcester, MA$74,721
Minneapolis, MN$74,500
Philadelphia, PA$74,400
Honolulu, HI$74,165
Saint Paul, MN$74,130
Vineland, NJ$74,115
Providence, RI$73,908
Chicago, IL$73,701
Bellingham, WA$73,615
Springfield, MA$73,558
Baltimore, MD$73,537
Chico, CA$73,359
Pittsfield, MA$73,166
Manchester, NH$73,031
Spokane, WA$72,717
Denver, CO$72,710
Albany, NY$72,375
Troy, NY$72,346
Nassau, NY$72,270
Schenectady, NY$72,196
Wilmington, DE$72,139
Burlington, VT$72,039
Salem, OR$72,011
Portland, ME$71,790
Yakima, WA$71,718
Rochester, MN$71,497
Reno, NV$71,462
Fresno, CA$71,462
Milwaukee, WI$71,397
Detroit, MI$71,326
Ann Arbor, MI$71,314
Allentown, PA$71,305
Colorado Springs, CO$71,183
Syracuse, NY$71,148
Carson City, NV$71,148
Houston, TX$71,048
Eugene, OR$71,012
Gary, IN$70,927
Springfield, OR$70,870
Bismarck, ND$70,855
Galveston, TX$70,806
Medford, OR$70,699
Fort Collins, CO$70,670
Concord, NH$70,634
Austin, TX$70,613
Mesa, AZ$70,463
Reading, PA$70,456
Phoenix, AZ$70,449
Dallas, TX$70,428
Saint Cloud, MN$70,359
Madison, WI$70,263
Utica, NY$70,071
Rochester, NY$69,957
Des Moines, IA$69,950
Raleigh, NC$69,943
Atlanta, GA$69,836
Battle Creek, MI$69,814
Salt Lake City, UT$69,793
Lancaster, PA$69,686
Harrisburg, PA$69,586
Kansas City, MO$69,515
Champaign, IL$69,500
Kansas City, KS$69,500
Fort Worth, TX$69,493
Columbus, OH$69,481
Boca Raton, FL$69,465
Pittsburgh, PA$69,436
Richmond, VA$69,408
Indianapolis, IN$69,393
Cleveland, OH$69,386
Las Vegas, NV$69,301
Cincinnati, OH$69,301
Petersburg, VA$69,194
Huntsville, AL$69,087
Lansing, MI$69,039
Lebanon, PA$69,030
Pueblo, CO$69,023
Appleton, WI$69,001
Buffalo, NY$68,973
Dayton, OH$68,951
Racine, WI$68,937
Charlotte, NC$68,930
Saint Louis, MO$68,908
York, PA$68,866
Elkhart, IN$68,866
Gastonia, NC$68,852
Billings, MT$68,835
Beaumont, TX$68,816
Lorain, OH$68,801
Benton Harbor, MI$68,787
Toledo, OH$68,773
Binghamton, NY$68,737
Rock Hill, SC$68,730
Rockford, IL$68,694
Springfield, IL$68,666
Elyria, OH$68,659
Fargo, ND$68,659
Flagstaff, AZ$68,609
Fort Lauderdale, FL$68,566
Duluth, MN$68,523
Miami, FL$68,523
Cheyenne, WY$68,473
Grand Forks, ND$68,473
Bangor, ME$68,316
Cedar Rapids, IA$68,238
Durham, NC$68,208
Louisville, KY$68,202
Grand Rapids, MI$68,188
Hialeah, FL$68,181
Casper, WY$68,081
Scranton, PA$67,996
New Orleans, LA$67,974
Virginia Beach, VA$67,967
Akron, OH$67,931
Peoria, IL$67,839
Sarasota, FL$67,824
Nashville, TN$67,774
Omaha, NE$67,774
Green Bay, WI$67,774
Baton Rouge, LA$67,739
Charleston, SC$67,725
Jamestown, NY$67,689
Davenport, IA$67,689
Tucson, AZ$67,653
Saint Petersburg, FL$67,610
Tampa, FL$67,596
Evansville, IN$67,553
Port Arthur, TX$67,553
Bradenton, FL$67,525
Santa Fe, NM$67,396
Orlando, FL$67,268
Clearwater, FL$67,247
Canton, OH$67,097
La Crosse, WI$67,097
Albuquerque, NM$67,054
Newport News, VA$67,047
High Point, NC$67,026
Ogden, UT$66,997
Corpus Christi, TX$66,940
Norfolk, VA$66,897
Laramie, WY$66,897
Rock Island, IL$66,854
Saginaw, MI$66,840
Jacksonville, FL$66,833
Salisbury, NC$66,819
Boise, ID$66,805
Moline, IL$66,769
Fort Myers, FL$66,747
Memphis, TN$66,733
Tulsa, OK$66,698
Waterloo, IA$66,655
Spartanburg, SC$66,583
Lincoln, NE$66,548
Fort Wayne, IN$66,533
Provo, UT$66,526
Cedar Falls, IA$66,441
San Antonio, TX$66,412
Greensboro, NC$66,384
South Bend, IN$66,377
Savannah, GA$66,298
Muskegon, MI$66,270
Birmingham, AL$66,262
Winston Salem, NC$66,228
Lake Charles, LA$66,056
Anderson, IN$66,041
Lexington, KY$66,020
Augusta, GA$65,999
Greenville, SC$65,999
Lima, OH$65,942
Wichita, KS$65,934
Tuscaloosa, AL$65,934
Columbia, SC$65,870
Springfield, OH$65,856
Asheville, NC$65,742
Bloomington, IN$65,692
Knoxville, TN$65,435
Shreveport, LA$65,428
Wilmington, NC$65,335
Roanoke, VA$65,335
Topeka, KS$65,207
Frankfort, KY$65,199
Oklahoma City, OK$65,150
Chillicothe, OH$65,121
Longview, TX$65,114
Melbourne, FL$65,107
Sioux Falls, SD$64,993
Mobile, AL$64,986
Terre Haute, IN$64,957
Altoona, PA$64,915
Amarillo, TX$64,865
Killeen, TX$64,843
Fayetteville, AR$64,786
Chattanooga, TN$64,765
Sioux City, IA$64,701
Idaho Falls, ID$64,686
Lynchburg, VA$64,629
Gainesville, FL$64,537
Portsmouth, OH$64,501
Little Rock, AR$64,487
Lafayette, LA$64,458
Youngstown, OH$64,458
Daytona Beach, FL$64,415
Clarksville, TN$64,408
Pensacola, FL$64,401
Temple, TX$64,396
Hopkinsville, KY$64,187
Erie, PA$64,173
Florence, SC$64,144
Charleston, WV$64,030
Great Falls, MT$63,995
Macon, GA$63,895
Tallahassee, FL$63,888
Fayetteville, NC$63,873
Waco, TX$63,859
Helena, MT$63,809
Pine Bluff, AR$63,782
Vincennes, IN$63,695
Lubbock, TX$63,666
Alamogordo, NM$63,624
Twin Falls, ID$63,559
Rapid City, SD$63,538
Jackson, MS$63,410
Huntington, WV$63,405
Greenville, MS$63,403
Parkersburg, WV$63,330
Montgomery, AL$63,317
Wichita Falls, TX$63,246
Springfield, MO$63,246
Biloxi, MS$63,210
Monroe, LA$63,139
Johnstown, PA$63,089
Sumter, SC$63,060
Columbus, GA$63,053
Pascagoula, MS$62,918
Abilene, TX$62,918
Kingsport, TN$62,732
Albany, GA$62,732
Gulfport, MS$62,711
Alexandria, LA$62,475
Fort Smith, AR$62,297
El Paso, TX$62,105
Las Cruces, NM$61,784
Harlingen, TX$61,602
Pocatello, ID$61,591
Florence, AL$61,498
Brownsville, TX$61,484
Mcallen, TX$61,334
Dothan, AL$61,234
Columbus, MS$60,811
Altus, OK$60,479
Lawton, OK$60,343
Pierre, SD$60,086
What Skills Can Increase a CNC Machine Operator III's Salary?
Demanded Skills for the Role:
Troubleshooting (Mentioned in 1.82% Job Postings): Troubleshooting is a form of problem solving, often applied to repair failed products or processes on a machine or a system. It is a logical, systematic search for the source of a problem in order to solve it, and make the product or process operational again. Troubleshooting is needed to identify the symptoms. Determining the most likely cause is a process of elimination—eliminating potential causes of a problem. Finally, troubleshooting requires confirmation that the solution restores the product or process to its working state. In general, troubleshooting is the identification or diagnosis of "trouble" in the management flow of a system caused by a failure of some kind. The problem is initially described as symptoms of malfunction, and troubleshooting is the process of determining and remedying the causes of these symptoms. A system can be described in terms of its expected, desired or intended behavior (usually, for artificial systems, its purpose). Events or inputs to the system are expected to generate specific results or outputs. (For example, selecting the "print" option from various computer applications is intended to result in a hardcopy emerging from some specific device). Any unexpected or undesirable behavior is a symptom. Troubleshooting is the process of isolating the specific cause or causes of the symptom. Frequently the symptom is a failure of the product or process to produce any results. (Nothing was printed, for example). Corrective action can then be taken to prevent further failures of a similar kind.
ISO (Mentioned in 1.35% Job Postings): The International Organization for Standardization is an international standard development organization composed of representatives from the national standards organizations of member countries.
Preventive Maintenance (Mentioned in 0.96% Job Postings): Preventive maintenance is the act of performing regularly scheduled maintenance activities to help prevent unexpected failures in the future. Put simply, it's about fixing things before they break.
See More Skills
Skills
Demand Percentage
Troubleshooting
1.82%
ISO
1.35%
Preventive Maintenance
0.96%
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 Machine Operator III's salary.
Dedication: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
Analysis: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
Mechanical Drawing: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
Skill
Salary
Salary % Increase
Dedication
$74,885
5%
Analysis
$74,172
4%
Mechanical Drawing
$74,172
4%
Work Ethic
$74,172
4%
Quality Assurance
$74,172
4%
Continuous Improvement
$74,172
4%
Get Latest Data
CNC Machine Operator III Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise
CNC Machine Operator III salary potential scales significantly with company size.
Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $79,777.
While startup companies pay approximate $67,569.
CNC Machine Operator III Salary by Company Size
Company Size
Employees
Average Salary
Startup
1~50
$67,569
Growth Stage
51~500
$71,432
Established
501~5000
$77,069
Enterprise
5000+
$79,777
CNC Machine Operator III Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors
For CNC Machine Operator III roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential
by as much as 85% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries).
Data shows that the Biotechnology and MFG Durable
sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 30% above the average.
In contrast, CNC Machine Operator positions in Retail & Wholesale or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay,
as these industries often view CNC Machine Operator III as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
The top paying industries for a CNC Machine Operator III
Industry Sector
Average Annual Salary
Average Hourly Rate
Pay vs.Avg
Biotechnology
$92,715
$45.0
30%
MFG Durable
$89,149
$43.0
25%
Aerospace & Defense
$82,017
$39.0
15%
Energy & Utilities
$78,451
$38.0
10%
Software & Networking
$78,451
$38.0
10%
CNC Machine Operator III Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay
Understanding how a CNC Machine Operator III'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.
Hourly
Monthly
Weekly
Yearly
Table View
Last Updated on July 01, 2026
$63,043
Average$71,319/year
$78,459
$5,254
Average$5,943/month
$6,538
$1,212
Average$1,372/week
$1,509
$30
Average$34/hour
$38
Annual Salary
Monthly Pay
Weekly Pay
Hourly Wage
75th Percentile
$78,459
$6,538
$1,509
$38
Average
$71,319
$5,943
$1,372
$34
25th Percentile
$63,043
$5,254
$1,212
$30
CNC Machine Operator III Salary Growth & Career Path
Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings.
As a CNC Machine Operator III, you have the following paths for advancement.
The table below compares the salary raises for common next-step roles.
By comparing these figures, you can choose the career path that best meets your financial goals.
CNC Machine Operator III Salary Growth and Career Path
Next Step Role
Estimate Salary
Projected Raise
Machine Operator Supervisor
$80,540
13%
Machine Shop Production Supervisor I
$65,693
-8%
Packaging Supervisor
$84,498
18%
Salaries of jobs related to CNC Machine Operator III
Salaries for a CNC Machine Operator III can change over time,
reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy.
The median salary decreased from $57,673 in 2023
to around $57,093 in 2025,
reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy.
For a detailed analysis of CNC Machine Operator III salary trends,
.
Average Annual Salary of CNC Machine Operator III Over Time
2022
$???
2023
$57,673
2024
$57,487
2025
$57,093
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year
Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023
$57,673
2024
$57,487
2025
$57,093
2026
View More
2027
View More
Most common benefits for CNC Machine Operator III
Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for CNC Machine Operator III
Here are companies hiring for CNC Machine Operator III and their salaries, click below for more details.
C
$128,509/per year
C R Bard Inc
Biotechnology
the United States
H
$124,697/per year
Henry Schein Canada
Biotechnology
the United States
N
$123,899/per year
Nordex Inc
Biotechnology
the United States
N
$120,416/per year
Nipro Corp
Biotechnology
the United States
E
$115,870/per year
Enovis
Biotechnology
the United States
A
$114,553/per year
Advanced Research Projects Agency - Energy
Biotechnology
the United States
M
$112,110/per year
MiniMed Inc
Biotechnology
the United States
L
$111,500/per year
Labcorp Drug Development
Biotechnology
the United States
L
$110,229/per year
Life Technologies Corp
Biotechnology
the United States
Z
$106,224/per year
Zimmer Biomet
Biotechnology
the United States
P
$103,077/per year
Promontory Therapeutics
Biotechnology
the United States
S
$102,181/per year
Steris PLC
Biotechnology
the United States
G
$97,274/per year
Gavin Conferences Pty Ltd
Biotechnology
the United States
E
$94,764/per year
Endeavor BioMedicines
Biotechnology
the United States
R
$94,402/per year
Replay Holdings LLC
Biotechnology
the United States
P
$94,235/per year
Pleno Inc
Biotechnology
the United States
S
$93,666/per year
Simulaids Inc
Biotechnology
the United States
N
$88,880/per year
NOIRLab/CAS
Biotechnology
the United States
O
$86,468/per year
Onward Technology
Biotechnology
the United States
L
$84,895/per year
LED Medical Diagnostics Inc
Biotechnology
the United States
E
$84,682/per year
Eyeco Ltd
Biotechnology
the United States
P
$84,523/per year
Paerosol
Biotechnology
the United States
I
$83,525/per year
IONIQ Sciences Inc
Biotechnology
the United States
S
$82,815/per year
Stateside PPE
Biotechnology
the United States
D
$82,041/per year
Digi Bio
Biotechnology
the United States
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FAQ about CNC Machine Operator III
1. Where can a CNC Machine Operator III earn the most?
A CNC Machine Operator III's earning potential can vary widely depending on several factors, including location, industry, experience, education, and the specific employer.
According to the latest salary data by Salary.com, a CNC Machine Operator III earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a CNC Machine Operator III is $89,955.
2. What is the highest pay for CNC Machine Operator III?
The highest pay for CNC Machine Operator III is $84,960.
3. What is the lowest pay for CNC Machine Operator III?
The lowest pay for CNC Machine Operator III is $55,508.
4. What are the responsibilities of CNC Machine Operator III?
Responsible for operating one or more types of computer numeric controlled production equipment. Selects appropriate settings and makes adjustments as necessary. Follows established quality and safety standards. Typically requires a high school diploma. Typically reports to a supervisor. Independently performs a wide range of complex duties under general guidance from supervisors. Has gained full proficiency in a broad range of activities related to the job. Typically requires 5-7 years of related experience.
5. What industry pays the highest salary for CNC Machine Operator III?
The Biotechnology industry offers the highest average compensation for CNC Machine Operator III roles,
with salaries approximately 30% above the market median.
Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?
Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.
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