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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a CNC Operator in Missouri is $55,904 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $27.
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 | $61,836 | $5,153 | $1,189 | $30 |
| Average | $55,904 | $4,659 | $1,075 | $27 |
| 25th Percentile | $50,487 | $4,207 | $971 | $24 |
QPS Employment Group - Saint Louis, MO
Closet Factory - Fenton, MO
Architectural Systems, Inc. - Aurora, MO
Maxcess International - Eureka, MO
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 | $43,498 |
| CNC Opera... Level CNC Operator | $55,468 |
| Machinist... Level CNC Operator | $62,217 |
| Machinist... Level CNC Operator | $69,403 |
| Machine S... Level CNC Operator | $62,157 |
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 | $67,085 | $32.0 | 20% |
| Financial Services | $64,289 | $31.0 | 15% |
| Internet | $64,289 | $31.0 | 15% |
| Aerospace & Defense | $62,612 | $30.0 | 12% |
| Energy & Utilities | $61,494 | $30.0 | 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 | $61,836 | $5,153 | $1,189 | $30 |
| Average | $55,904 | $4,659 | $1,075 | $27 |
| 25th Percentile | $50,487 | $4,207 | $971 | $24 |
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.
The Gund Company
Overland, MO
The Gund Company | Overland, MO
Description: CNC Operator I - 2nd Shift The Gund Company – St. Louis, MO Schedule: 2:00 PM-10:30 PM Monday–Friday | Full-Time Pay: Competitive pay based on... more
4 Days Ago
Maxcess
Eureka, MO
Maxcess | Eureka, MO
CNC Operator - 3rd Shift. Eureka, Missouri, United States. PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITY: Grinds rotary tooling to specification per work instructions. Sets blade... more
5 Days Ago
CMMG
Boonville, MO
CMMG | Boonville, MO
Job Title. Location: 2301 Boonslick Drive, Boonville, MO, 65233, United States. Job Category: CNC. Employee Type: Non-Exempt. Required Degree: High school.... more
5 Days Ago
Maxcess
Eureka, MO
Maxcess | Eureka, MO
CNC Operator - 2nd Shift. Eureka, Missouri, United States. Primary Responsibility. Sets up and operates CNC Lathe machines/inspects parts per drawing. Duti... more
6 Days Ago
Deutsche Precision, LLC
Saint Ann, MO
Deutsche Precision, LLC | Saint Ann, MO
CNC Operator - Hydromat. CNC Operators are responsible for the operation of one or more previously set up Hydromat machines equipped with automatic indexin... more
6 Days Ago
The Gund Company
Saint Louis, MO
The Gund Company | Saint Louis, MO
CNC Operator I - 2nd Shift. The Gund Company St. Louis, MO. Schedule: 2:00 PM-10:30 PM MondayFriday | Full-Time Pay: $22+ based on experience + 15% Shift D... more
7 Days Ago
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