As of November 01, 2025, the average salary for a CNC Machine Operator III in Challenge, CA is $72,847 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $35.
However, a CNC Machine Operator III's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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CNC Machine Operator III Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $80,137 | $6,678 | $1,541 | $39 |
| Average | $72,847 | $6,071 | $1,401 | $35 |
| 25th Percentile | $64,521 | $5,377 | $1,241 | $31 |
Safran Group - Garden Grove, CA
Aerotek - Pacoima, CA
USA Jobs - Escondido, CA
California Staffing - Escondido, CA
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, skills and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
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:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level CNC Machine Operator III | $69,973 |
| Intermediate Level CNC Machine Operator III | $70,231 |
| Senior Level CNC Machine Operator III | $72,816 |
| Specialist Level CNC Machine Operator III | $75,432 |
| Expert Level CNC Machine Operator III | $76,478 |
What Am I Worth?
Salaries can also vary between different cities, even within the same state. 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 California cities:
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Troubleshooting | 1.82% |
| ISO | 1.35% |
| Preventive Maintenance | 0.96% |
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
|
Dedication
|
$76,489 |
5%
|
|
Analysis
|
$75,761 |
4%
|
|
Mechanical Drawing
|
$75,761 |
4%
|
|
Work Ethic
|
$75,761 |
4%
|
|
Quality Assurance
|
$75,761 |
4%
|
|
Continuous Improvement
|
$75,761 |
4%
|
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.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $80,137 | $6,678 | $1,541 | $39 |
| Average | $72,847 | $6,071 | $1,401 | $35 |
| 25th Percentile | $64,521 | $5,377 | $1,241 | $31 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current CNC Machine Operator III job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
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