What are the main factors that influence a CNC Operator's salary?

The primary factors are: 1) Experience Level, 2) Geographic Location, 3) Education/Skills, 4) Company Size & Industry

What industry pays the highest salary for CNC Operator?

The Pharmaceuticals industry offers the highest average compensation for CNC Operator roles, with salaries approximately 20% above the market median.

How does experience change A CNC Operator's salary?

A CNC Operator's salary grows with experience: a Machinist I (0-1 years)earns $46,364, a CNC Operator (1-3 years)earns $59,122, a Machinist III (3-5 years)earns $66,317, a Machinist IV (5-7 years)earns $73,976, a Machine Shop Production Supervisor I (7+ years)earns $66,252,

What are the highest paying states for a CNC Operator?

CNC Operator salary varies significantly by state. The top 3 highest paying states for CNC Operator roles are District of Columbia $65,148, California $64,900, Massachusetts $64,035. These tech hubs typically pay 10-15% above the national average.

How much do different types of CNC Operator roles make?

Salaries for CNC Operator level roles vary by specialization: Cnc Programmer And Operator: $71,814; Cnc Machine Operator: $64,038; CNC Mill Operator: $63,734; Cnc Router Operator: $61,972; CNC Lathe Operator: $61,779.

CNC Operator Salary in Delaware

How much does a CNC Operator make in Delaware?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a CNC Operator in Delaware is $59,587 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $29.

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

Top Earners (90th percentile): $71,666
Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $53,813 to $65,910
Entry-Level (10th percentile): $48,556

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CNC Operator Salaries by Percentile

	Annual Salary	Monthly Pay	Weekly Pay	Hourly Wage
75th Percentile	$65,910	$5,492	$1,267	$32
Average	$59,587	$4,966	$1,146	$29
25th Percentile	$53,813	$4,484	$1,035	$26

You may get higher pay by adjusting the following factors:

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Check out CNC Operator Job Openings in Delaware

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Mettler Toledo - COLUMBUS, OH

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Kalman Manufacturing Inc - MORGAN HILL, CA

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Key Factors That Influence CNC Operator Salaries

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.

How Experience Level Affects CNC Operator Salaries?

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:

Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $46,364
Early Career (1-2 years): $59,122
Mid-Level (2-4 years): $66,317
Senior-Level (5-8 years): $73,976
Expert (over 8 years): $66,252

Levels	Salary
Machinist... Level CNC Operator	$46,364
CNC Opera... Level CNC Operator	$59,122
Machinist... Level CNC Operator	$66,317
Machinist... Level CNC Operator	$73,976
Machine S... Level CNC Operator	$66,252

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What Am I Worth?

How Do CNC Operator Salaries Vary from State to State?

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:

District of Columbia: $65,148.
California: $64,900.
Massachusetts: $64,035.

District of Columbia $65,148 California $64,900 Massachusetts $64,035 Washington $63,800 New Jersey $63,777 Alaska $63,694 Connecticut $62,882 New York $62,553

Hawaii $61,499 Rhode Island $61,005 Maryland $60,670 Minnesota $60,211 Colorado $60,034 Illinois $59,976 Oregon $59,752 Delaware $59,587

New Hampshire $59,484 Virginia $59,252 Pennsylvania $58,575 Nevada $58,234 North Dakota $58,122 Michigan $57,946 Wisconsin $57,881 Vermont $57,751

Texas $57,392 Maine $57,369 Arizona $57,334 Ohio $57,292 Georgia $56,751 Indiana $56,480 Wyoming $56,427 Utah $56,345

Iowa $56,310 Kansas $56,027 Louisiana $55,945 North Carolina $55,916 Missouri $55,904 Florida $55,674 Montana $55,551 Nebraska $55,433

Kentucky $55,368 South Carolina $55,133 Tennessee $54,986 Idaho $54,927 New Mexico $54,498 Oklahoma $54,403 Alabama $54,056 South Dakota $53,474

Arkansas $53,156 West Virginia $52,985 Mississippi $52,473

Top Paying Cities for CNC Operators

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:

Lincoln: $59,319
Little Creek: $59,753
Magnolia: $59,667

Lincoln, DE $59,319 Little Creek, DE $59,753 Magnolia, DE $59,667 Milford, DE $59,469 Marydel, DE $59,567 Millsboro, DE $59,070 Millville, DE $59,161 Milton, DE $59,264

Nassau, DE $59,307 Ocean View, DE $59,151 Rehoboth Beach, DE $59,265 Seaford, DE $59,298 Selbyville, DE $59,053 Smyrna, DE $59,794 Viola, DE $59,519 Woodside, DE $59,679

Bear, DE $59,541 Newark, DE $59,519 Claymont, DE $59,641 Delaware City, DE $59,578 Hockessin, DE $59,514 Kirkwood, DE $59,567 Middletown, DE $59,590 Montchanin, DE $59,527

New Castle, DE $59,536 Odessa, DE $59,620 Port Penn, DE $59,660 Rockland, DE $59,533 Saint Georges, DE $59,571 Townsend, DE $59,663 Winterthur, DE $59,540 Lewes, DE $59,286

Wilmington, DE $59,517 Dover, DE $59,753 Dover Afb, DE $59,438 Bethany Beach, DE $59,089 Bethel, DE $59,150 Bridgeville, DE $59,289 Camden Wyoming, DE $59,585 Cheswold, DE $59,734

Clayton, DE $59,735 Dagsboro, DE $59,048 Delmar, DE $58,953 Ellendale, DE $59,132 Felton, DE $59,465 Fenwick Island, DE $59,061 Frankford, DE $58,958 Frederica, DE $59,524

Georgetown, DE $59,025 Greenwood, DE $59,299 Harbeson, DE $59,088 Harrington, DE $59,389 Hartly, DE $59,574 Houston, DE $59,305 Kenton, DE $59,738 Laurel, DE $58,990

Yorklyn, DE $59,531

CNC Operator Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

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.

The top paying industries for a CNC Operator

Industry Sector	Average Annual Salary	Average Hourly Rate	Pay vs.Avg
Pharmaceuticals	$71,505	$34.0	20%
Financial Services	$68,525	$33.0	15%
Internet	$68,525	$33.0	15%
Aerospace & Defense	$66,738	$32.0	12%
Energy & Utilities	$65,546	$32.0	10%

CNC Operator Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

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.

Last Updated on August 01, 2026

$53,813

Average $59,587/year

$65,910

$4,484

Average $4,966/month

$5,492

$1,035

Average $1,146/week

$1,267

$26

Average $29/hour

$32

	Annual Salary	Monthly Pay	Weekly Pay	Hourly Wage
75th Percentile	$65,910	$5,492	$1,267	$32
Average	$59,587	$4,966	$1,146	$29
25th Percentile	$53,813	$4,484	$1,035	$26

Salaries of jobs related to CNC Operator

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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.

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LA VERGNE, TN

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BRENTWOOD, NY

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B & R Machine Inc

LUDLOW, MA

Entry

B & R Machine Inc | LUDLOW, MA

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