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Hourly Wage for CNC Machine Programmer III Salary in the United States

What is the highest and lowest hourly pay for CNC Machine Programmer III?

As of November 01, 2025, the average hourly rate for a CNC Machine Programmer III in the United States is $41, which translates to an annual salary of about $85,205.

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): $51 per hour
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $38 to $46 per hour
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $35 per hour
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View as table View as graph 25% $38 10% $35 90% $51 75% $46 $41 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

CNC Machine Programmer III Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $96,146 $8,012 $1,849 $46
Average $85,205 $7,100 $1,639 $41
25th Percentile $78,211 $6,518 $1,504 $38
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Key Factors That Influence CNC Machine Programmer III Salaries

A CNC Machine Programmer 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, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects CNC Machine Programmer III Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a CNC Machine Programmer 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:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $82,047
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $82,569
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $83,613
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $88,364
  • Expert (over 8 years): $91,231
Levels Salary
Entry Level CNC Machine Programmer III $82,047
Intermediate Level CNC Machine Programmer III $82,569
Senior Level CNC Machine Programmer III $83,613
Specialist Level CNC Machine Programmer III $88,364
Expert Level CNC Machine Programmer III $91,231
$82,047 0 yr
$82,569 < 2 yrs
$83,613 2-4 yrs
$88,364 5-8 yrs
$91,231 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

How Education impacts a CNC Machine Programmer III's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many CNC Machine Programmer IIIs enter the field with a Bachelor'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 Machine Programmer III with a Bachelor's Degree is between $88,516 and $94,826.

CNC Machine Programmer III Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for CNC Machine Programmer III
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 2.2%
High School 56.8%
Associates 28.4%
Bachelors 10.9%
Masters 1.6%
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CNC Machine Programmer III Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a CNC Machine Programmer 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.

Last Updated on November 01, 2025

Salary Trends for CNC Machine Programmer IIIs

Salaries for a CNC Machine Programmer III can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $86,927 in 2023 to around $85,496 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of CNC Machine Programmer III salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of CNC Machine Programmer III Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$86,927
2024
$86,562
2025
$85,496
2026
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $86,927
2024 $86,562
2025 $85,496
2026
View More

CNC Machine Programmer III bonus and incentive rates

Based on HR-reported data: a national average with a geographic differential
Base Salary 61.3%
Bonuses 10.1%
Social Security 5.5%
401k/403b 3.0%
Disability 1.4%
Healthcare 6.0%
Pension 3.9%
Time Off 8.8%
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Core Compensation
Median % of Total
Base Salary $85,205 61.3%
Bonus $14,031 10.1%
Value of Benefits
Median % of Total
Social Security $7,592 5.5%
401K/403B $4,168 3.0%
Disability $1,985 1.4%
Healthcare $8,352 6.0%
Pension $5,359 3.9%
Time Off $12,214 8.8%
Total Compensation $138,905 100%
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Most common benefits for CNC Machine Programmer III

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for CNC Machine Programmer III

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FAQ about CNC Machine Programmer III

1. What are the responsibilities of CNC Machine Programmer III?

Programs and sets up CNC milling, lathe, or other machinery according to blueprint specifications. Reads and interprets technical blueprints and design models and inputs the product design into the computer modeling software. Adjusts machine settings to the desired product specifications, and troubleshoots and maintains the machine. Utilizes G or M code and CAM software (MasterCAM, CAMWorks, or others). Tests the accuracy of settings and programs. May require a bachelor's degree. Typically reports to a manager. Work is generally independent and collaborative in nature. Contributes to moderately complex aspects of a project. Typically requires 4-7 years of related experience.

2. What are the skills of CNC Machine Programmer III

Specify the abilities and skills that a person needs in order to carry out the specified job duties. Each competency has five to ten behavioral assertions that can be observed, each with a corresponding performance level (from one to five) that is required for a particular job.

1.)

Process Improvement: Analyzing and improving existing processes and workflows to minimize process errors and streamline organizational efficiency.

2.)

Continuous Improvement: 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.

3.)

Quality Control: Developing and implementing a set of procedures intended to maintain the quality of a product and reduce any risks or errors.

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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