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CNC Machine Programmer III Salary in the United States

How much does a CNC Machine Programmer III make in the United States?

As of January 01, 2026, the average salary for a CNC Machine Programmer III in the United States is $85,218 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $41.

However, a CNC Machine Programmer III's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $106,130
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $78,223 to $96,164
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $71,854
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View as table View as graph 25% $78,223 10% $71,854 90% $106,130 75% $96,164 $85,218 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 $96,164 $8,014 $1,849 $46
Average $85,218 $7,102 $1,639 $41
25th Percentile $78,223 $6,519 $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): $82,086
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $82,608
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $83,652
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $88,485
  • Expert (over 8 years): $91,426
Levels Salary
Entry Level CNC Machine Programmer III$82,086
Intermediate Level CNC Machine Programmer III$82,608
Senior Level CNC Machine Programmer III$83,652
Specialist Level CNC Machine Programmer III$88,485
Expert Level CNC Machine Programmer III$91,426
$82,086 0 yr
$82,608 < 2 yrs
$83,652 2-4 yrs
$88,485 5-8 yrs
$91,426 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for CNC Machine Programmer IIIs

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: $107,485
  • San Francisco: $106,429
  • Oakland: $104,068

What Skills Can Increase a CNC Machine Programmer III'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 Machine Programmer III's salary.
  • Mechanical Engineering: Can increase your salary by up to 12%.
  • Analysis: Can increase your salary by up to 11%.
  • Word Processing: Can increase your salary by up to 10%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Mechanical Engineering
$95,444
12%
Analysis
$94,592
11%
Word Processing
$93,740
10%
Manufacturing Support
$93,740
10%
Manufacturing Processes
$92,888
9%
Technical Support
$92,888
9%
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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%
Doctorate 0.0%
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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 January 01, 2026

CNC Machine Programmer III Salary Growth & Career Path

For a CNC Machine Programmer III, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the CNC Machine Programmer IV role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $119,349 - a projected growth of 40% over your current level.

Salary Trends for CNC Machine Programmer III

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
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $86,927
2024 $86,562
2025 $85,496
2026
View More
2027
View More

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

Here are companies hiring for CNC Machine Programmer III and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about CNC Machine Programmer III

1. Where can a CNC Machine Programmer III earn the most?

A CNC Machine Programmer 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 Programmer III earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a CNC Machine Programmer III is $107,485.

2. What is the highest pay for CNC Machine Programmer III?

The highest pay for CNC Machine Programmer III is $106,130.

3. What is the lowest pay for CNC Machine Programmer III?

The lowest pay for CNC Machine Programmer III is $71,854.

4. 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.

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.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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