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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a CNC Operator in California is $64,900 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $31.
However, a CNC Operator's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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CNC Operator Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $71,787 | $5,982 | $1,381 | $35 |
| Average | $64,900 | $5,408 | $1,248 | $31 |
| 25th Percentile | $58,612 | $4,884 | $1,127 | $28 |
GPR Stabilizer llc. - San Diego, CA
CPP Industries - Burlingame, CA
Hubbell - Carson, CA
S & H Machine Inc - South El Monte, CA
A CNC 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.
Experience is a primary driver of a CNC Operator'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 |
|---|---|
| Machinist... Level CNC Operator | $50,498 |
| CNC Opera... Level CNC Operator | $64,394 |
| Machinist... Level CNC Operator | $72,230 |
| Machinist... Level CNC Operator | $80,573 |
| Machine S... Level CNC Operator | $72,160 |
What Am I Worth?
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 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 Operator roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 60% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Pharmaceuticals and Financial Services sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, CNC Operator positions in Transportation or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view CNC Operator as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pharmaceuticals | $77,880 | $37.0 | 20% |
| Financial Services | $74,635 | $36.0 | 15% |
| Internet | $74,635 | $36.0 | 15% |
| Aerospace & Defense | $72,688 | $35.0 | 12% |
| Energy & Utilities | $71,390 | $34.0 | 10% |
Understanding how a CNC 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 | $71,787 | $5,982 | $1,381 | $35 |
| Average | $64,900 | $5,408 | $1,248 | $31 |
| 25th Percentile | $58,612 | $4,884 | $1,127 | $28 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current CNC Operator job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
PrideStaff
Fresno, CA
PrideStaff | Fresno, CA
PrideStaff - - Responsibilities: QC parts using precision measuring tools. Troubleshoot CNC machines and perform setup. Read calipers, micrometers and blue... more
4 Days Ago
Hubbel
Carson, CA
Hubbel | Carson, CA
Hubbel - - Responsibilities: Preparing and operating CNC machines for drilling and milling. Reading and interpreting blueprints and mechanical drawings. Lo... more
4 Days Ago
Aerotek
Los Angeles, CA
Aerotek | Los Angeles, CA
Aerotek - - Responsibilities: Operate CNC machines to manufacture parts. Assemble mechanical components. Inspect quality of parts and maintain tolerances. ... more
4 Days Ago
Laser-tech
Riverside, CA
Laser-tech | Riverside, CA
CNC Machinist. Load and operate Computer numerical control (CNC) machines and machining centers to fabricate metallic and nonmetallic parts by performing t... more
5 Days Ago
AstroForge
Seal Beach, CA
AstroForge | Seal Beach, CA
CNC Operator. At AstroForge, our mission is to make space resources accessible on Earth. We mine asteroids to extract valuable minerals in space at a lower... more
5 Days Ago
Aerotek
San Leandro, CA
Aerotek | San Leandro, CA
Aerotek - - Responsibilities: Set up and operate CNC mills and lathes to produce parts to specification. Read and interpret blueprints and drawings. Inspec... more
5 Days Ago
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