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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a CNC Mill Operator in California is $70,299 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $34.
However, a CNC Mill Operator's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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CNC Mill Operator Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $78,569 | $6,547 | $1,511 | $38 |
| Average | $70,299 | $5,858 | $1,352 | $34 |
| 25th Percentile | $63,683 | $5,307 | $1,225 | $31 |
AtWork - Walnut, CA
MD Engineering Incorporated - Corona, CA
TalentZok - Spring Valley, CA
B&Z MANUFACTURING COMPANY INC - Milpitas, CA
A CNC Mill Operator'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.
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 Mill Operators. 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:
For CNC Mill Operator roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 80% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Biotechnology and Aerospace & Defense sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 40% above the average. In contrast, CNC Mill Operator positions in Retail & Wholesale or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view CNC Mill Operator as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biotechnology | $98,418 | $47.0 | 40% |
| Aerospace & Defense | $91,388 | $44.0 | 30% |
| Energy & Utilities | $80,843 | $39.0 | 15% |
Understanding how a CNC Mill Operator'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 | $78,569 | $6,547 | $1,511 | $38 |
| Average | $70,299 | $5,858 | $1,352 | $34 |
| 25th Percentile | $63,683 | $5,307 | $1,225 | $31 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current CNC Mill Operator job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Aerotek
Vista, CA
Aerotek | Vista, CA
Aerotek - - Responsibilities: Operate CNC machining centers and run production lots. Inspect and monitor parts during production. Read and interpret bluepr... more
8 Days Ago
Martin Sprocket and Gear, Inc.
Sacramento, CA
Martin Sprocket and Gear, Inc. | Sacramento, CA
CNC Machine Machinists. Are you ready to bring your CNC Machining skills to a team that values precision and innovation. At Martin Sprocket & Gear, we're d... more
4 Days Ago
Element
Huntington Beach, CA
Element | Huntington Beach, CA
Machinist Mill (CNC). Join us as a Machinist Mill (CNC) and see how your variety of routine and non-routine machining make a difference and how critical it... more
4 Days Ago
Partners Personnel
Santa Fe Springs, CA
Partners Personnel | Santa Fe Springs, CA
CNC Mill Operator. We are seeking a skilled and detail-oriented CNC Mill Operator to set up, operate, and maintain CNC milling machines to produce precisio... more
5 Days Ago
Biomerics
Santa Clara, CA
Biomerics | Santa Clara, CA
Machine Operator. Biomerics is a world-class manufacturer and innovative polymer solutions provider for the medical device and biotech industries. As a ver... more
7 Days Ago
PEAK Technical Staffing USA
Oceanside, CA
PEAK Technical Staffing USA | Oceanside, CA
Job Opportunity in Oceanside, CA. We are seeking an entry-level operator for the 2nd shift in Oceanside, CA. The ideal candidate will have some experience ... more
8 Days Ago
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