As of November 01, 2025, the average salary for a CNC Machine Programmer III in California is $93,981 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $45.
However, a CNC Machine Programmer III's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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CNC Machine Programmer III Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $106,049 | $8,837 | $2,039 | $51 |
| Average | $93,981 | $7,832 | $1,807 | $45 |
| 25th Percentile | $86,267 | $7,189 | $1,659 | $41 |
Jobs via Dice - Santa Clara, CA
Relativity - Long Beach, CA
Axis Product Development - Santa Ana, CA
Relativity Space - Long Beach, CA
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 and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
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:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level CNC Machine Programmer III | $90,498 |
| Intermediate Level CNC Machine Programmer III | $91,074 |
| Senior Level CNC Machine Programmer III | $92,225 |
| Specialist Level CNC Machine Programmer III | $97,466 |
| Expert Level CNC Machine Programmer III | $100,628 |
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:
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.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $106,049 | $8,837 | $2,039 | $51 |
| Average | $93,981 | $7,832 | $1,807 | $45 |
| 25th Percentile | $86,267 | $7,189 | $1,659 | $41 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current CNC Machine Programmer III job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
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