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

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

How does experience change A CNC Set Up Operator's salary?

A CNC Set Up Operator's salary grows with experience: a CNC Machine Operator I (1-3 years)earns $49,365, a CNC Set Up Operator (3-5 years)earns $62,530, a CNC Machine Operator III (5-7 years)earns $71,102,

What are the highest paying states for a CNC Set Up Operator?

CNC Set Up Operator salary varies significantly by state. The top 3 highest paying states for CNC Set Up Operator roles are District of Columbia $71,046, California $70,776, Massachusetts $69,833. These tech hubs typically pay 10-15% above the national average.

How much do different types of CNC Set Up Operator roles make?

Salaries for CNC Set Up Operator level roles vary by specialization: CNC Programmer/Set-Up IV: $109,490; CNC Programmer/Set-Up III: $85,290; CNC Set Up Machinist: $73,349; CNC Programmer/Set-Up II: $72,390; Equipment Set Up and Monitoring Operator, Experienced: $70,500.

How do different companies affect a CNC Set Up Operator's salary?

Company size, industry, and compensation structure create significant salary variations for CNC Set Up Operator roles. Large, established industry leaders like C R Bard Inc ($128,509) and Henry Schein Canada ($124,697) offer base salaries 35-40% above the national average. In contrast, smaller firms or startups may offer closer to $82,041.

CNC Set Up Operator Salary in the United States

How much does a CNC Set Up Operator make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a CNC Set Up Operator in the United States is $64,167 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $31.

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

Top Earners (90th percentile): $79,178
Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $58,201 to $72,024
Entry-Level (10th percentile): $52,769

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CNC Set Up Operator Salaries by Percentile

	Annual Salary	Monthly Pay	Weekly Pay	Hourly Wage
75th Percentile	$72,024	$6,002	$1,385	$35
Average	$64,167	$5,347	$1,234	$31
25th Percentile	$58,201	$4,850	$1,119	$28

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Key Factors That Influence CNC Set Up Operator Salaries

A CNC Set Up 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, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Do CNC Set Up 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 Set Up Operators. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

District of Columbia: $71,046.
California: $70,776.
Massachusetts: $69,833.

District of Columbia $71,046 California $70,776 Massachusetts $69,833 Washington $69,576 New Jersey $69,551 Alaska $69,461 Connecticut $68,575 New York $68,216

Hawaii $67,068 Rhode Island $66,529 Maryland $66,163 Minnesota $65,662 Colorado $65,470 Illinois $65,406 Oregon $65,162 Delaware $64,982

New Hampshire $64,869 Virginia $64,616 Pennsylvania $63,878 Nevada $63,506 North Dakota $63,384 Michigan $63,192 Wisconsin $63,121 Vermont $62,980

Texas $62,589 Maine $62,563 Arizona $62,525 Ohio $62,480 Georgia $61,889 Indiana $61,594 Wyoming $61,536 Utah $61,447

Iowa $61,408 Kansas $61,100 Louisiana $61,010 North Carolina $60,978 Missouri $60,965 Florida $60,715 Montana $60,580 Nebraska $60,452

Kentucky $60,381 South Carolina $60,125 Tennessee $59,964 Idaho $59,900 New Mexico $59,432 Oklahoma $59,329 Alabama $58,950 South Dakota $58,315

Arkansas $57,969 West Virginia $57,783 Mississippi $57,224

Top Paying Cities for CNC Set Up 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:

San Jose: $80,934
San Francisco: $80,048
Oakland: $78,361

San Jose, CA $80,934

San Francisco, CA $80,048

Oakland, CA $78,361

New York, NY $73,881

Paramus, NJ $72,983

Queens Village, NY $72,980

Passaic, NJ $72,919

Bergenfield, NJ $72,913

Stamford, CT $72,772

Huntington, NY $72,746

Newark, NJ $72,272

Bridgeport, CT $72,136

Vallejo, CA $72,008

New Brunswick, NJ $71,983

Petaluma, CA $71,944

Middlesex, NJ $71,822

Somerset, NJ $71,777

Santa Cruz, CA $71,694

Boston, MA $71,303

Monterey, CA $71,077

Seattle, WA $70,930

Santa Rosa, CA $70,918

Los Angeles, CA $70,898

Juneau, AK $70,732

Washington, DC $70,661

Orange, CA $70,432

Santa Ana, CA $70,263

Long Beach, CA $70,199

Anaheim, CA $70,186

Anchorage, AK $70,154

Santa Maria, CA $69,961

Everett, WA $69,949

Danbury, CT $69,723

Bremerton, WA $69,634

Tacoma, WA $69,403

New Suffolk, NY $69,402

Sacramento, CA $69,384

Santa Barbara, CA $69,313

Trenton, NJ $69,243

San Diego, CA $69,243

Brockton, MA $69,172

Fairbanks, AK $69,015

Lompoc, CA $68,851

Lowell, MA $68,799

Ventura, CA $68,787

Nashua, NH $68,774

Stockton, CA $68,768

Modesto, CA $68,300

Poughkeepsie, NY $68,158

Olympia, WA $68,036

Kennewick, WA $68,036

New Haven, CT $68,011

Lawrence, MA $67,780

Hartford, CT $67,716

Riverside, CA $67,703

New Bedford, MA $67,639

Richland, WA $67,639

Bakersfield, CA $67,549

San Bernardino, CA $67,523

New Britain, CT $67,517

Atlantic City, NJ $67,517

New London, CT $67,491

Norwich, CT $67,472

Portsmouth, NH $67,459

Boulder, CO $67,323

Portland, OR $67,234

Worcester, MA $67,228

Minneapolis, MN $67,029

Philadelphia, PA $66,939

Honolulu, HI $66,727

Saint Paul, MN $66,697

Vineland, NJ $66,683

Providence, RI $66,496

Chicago, IL $66,310

Bellingham, WA $66,233

Springfield, MA $66,182

Baltimore, MD $66,163

Chico, CA $66,002

Pittsfield, MA $65,829

Manchester, NH $65,707

Spokane, WA $65,425

Denver, CO $65,418

Albany, NY $65,117

Troy, NY $65,091

Nassau, NY $65,023

Schenectady, NY $64,956

Wilmington, DE $64,905

Burlington, VT $64,815

Salem, OR $64,790

Portland, ME $64,591

Yakima, WA $64,527

Rochester, MN $64,328

Reno, NV $64,296

Fresno, CA $64,296

Milwaukee, WI $64,238

Detroit, MI $64,174

Ann Arbor, MI $64,163

Allentown, PA $64,154

Colorado Springs, CO $64,045

Syracuse, NY $64,013

Carson City, NV $64,013

Houston, TX $63,923

Eugene, OR $63,891

Gary, IN $63,814

Springfield, OR $63,763

Bismarck, ND $63,750

Galveston, TX $63,705

Medford, OR $63,609

Fort Collins, CO $63,583

Concord, NH $63,551

Austin, TX $63,532

Mesa, AZ $63,397

Reading, PA $63,391

Phoenix, AZ $63,384

Dallas, TX $63,365

Saint Cloud, MN $63,304

Madison, WI $63,218

Utica, NY $63,044

Rochester, NY $62,942

Des Moines, IA $62,935

Raleigh, NC $62,929

Atlanta, GA $62,833

Battle Creek, MI $62,813

Salt Lake City, UT $62,794

Lancaster, PA $62,698

Harrisburg, PA $62,608

Kansas City, MO $62,544

Champaign, IL $62,531

Kansas City, KS $62,531

Fort Worth, TX $62,525

Columbus, OH $62,514

Boca Raton, FL $62,499

Pittsburgh, PA $62,473

Richmond, VA $62,448

Indianapolis, IN $62,435

Cleveland, OH $62,428

Las Vegas, NV $62,351

Cincinnati, OH $62,351

Petersburg, VA $62,255

Huntsville, AL $62,159

Lansing, MI $62,116

Lebanon, PA $62,107

Pueblo, CO $62,101

Appleton, WI $62,082

Buffalo, NY $62,056

Dayton, OH $62,037

Racine, WI $62,024

Charlotte, NC $62,018

Saint Louis, MO $61,998

York, PA $61,960

Elkhart, IN $61,960

Gastonia, NC $61,948

Billings, MT $61,932

Beaumont, TX $61,915

Lorain, OH $61,902

Benton Harbor, MI $61,889

Toledo, OH $61,876

Binghamton, NY $61,844

Rock Hill, SC $61,838

Rockford, IL $61,806

Springfield, IL $61,780

Elyria, OH $61,774

Fargo, ND $61,774

Flagstaff, AZ $61,729

Fort Lauderdale, FL $61,690

Duluth, MN $61,652

Miami, FL $61,652

Cheyenne, WY $61,607

Grand Forks, ND $61,607

Bangor, ME $61,466

Cedar Rapids, IA $61,395

Durham, NC $61,368

Louisville, KY $61,363

Grand Rapids, MI $61,350

Hialeah, FL $61,344

Casper, WY $61,254

Scranton, PA $61,177

New Orleans, LA $61,158

Virginia Beach, VA $61,151

Akron, OH $61,119

Peoria, IL $61,036

Sarasota, FL $61,023

Nashville, TN $60,978

Omaha, NE $60,978

Green Bay, WI $60,978

Baton Rouge, LA $60,946

Charleston, SC $60,933

Jamestown, NY $60,901

Davenport, IA $60,901

Tucson, AZ $60,869

Saint Petersburg, FL $60,831

Tampa, FL $60,818

Evansville, IN $60,779

Port Arthur, TX $60,779

Bradenton, FL $60,754

Santa Fe, NM $60,638

Orlando, FL $60,523

Clearwater, FL $60,503

Canton, OH $60,369

La Crosse, WI $60,369

Albuquerque, NM $60,330

Newport News, VA $60,324

High Point, NC $60,304

Ogden, UT $60,279

Corpus Christi, TX $60,227

Norfolk, VA $60,189

Laramie, WY $60,189

Rock Island, IL $60,150

Saginaw, MI $60,137

Jacksonville, FL $60,131

Salisbury, NC $60,118

Boise, ID $60,105

Moline, IL $60,073

Fort Myers, FL $60,054

Memphis, TN $60,041

Tulsa, OK $60,009

Waterloo, IA $59,971

Spartanburg, SC $59,906

Lincoln, NE $59,874

Fort Wayne, IN $59,862

Provo, UT $59,855

Cedar Falls, IA $59,778

San Antonio, TX $59,752

Greensboro, NC $59,727

South Bend, IN $59,720

Savannah, GA $59,650

Muskegon, MI $59,624

Birmingham, AL $59,618

Winston Salem, NC $59,586

Lake Charles, LA $59,432

Anderson, IN $59,419

Lexington, KY $59,400

Augusta, GA $59,380

Greenville, SC $59,380

Lima, OH $59,329

Wichita, KS $59,323

Tuscaloosa, AL $59,323

Columbia, SC $59,265

Springfield, OH $59,252

Asheville, NC $59,149

Bloomington, IN $59,104

Knoxville, TN $58,873

Shreveport, LA $58,867

Wilmington, NC $58,784

Roanoke, VA $58,784

Topeka, KS $58,668

Frankfort, KY $58,661

Oklahoma City, OK $58,617

Chillicothe, OH $58,591

Longview, TX $58,585

Melbourne, FL $58,578

Sioux Falls, SD $58,476

Mobile, AL $58,469

Terre Haute, IN $58,443

Altoona, PA $58,405

Amarillo, TX $58,360

Killeen, TX $58,341

Fayetteville, AR $58,289

Chattanooga, TN $58,270

Sioux City, IA $58,212

Idaho Falls, ID $58,200

Lynchburg, VA $58,148

Gainesville, FL $58,065

Portsmouth, OH $58,033

Little Rock, AR $58,020

Lafayette, LA $57,994

Youngstown, OH $57,994

Daytona Beach, FL $57,956

Clarksville, TN $57,949

Pensacola, FL $57,943

Temple, TX $57,938

Hopkinsville, KY $57,750

Erie, PA $57,738

Florence, SC $57,712

Charleston, WV $57,609

Great Falls, MT $57,577

Macon, GA $57,487

Tallahassee, FL $57,481

Fayetteville, NC $57,468

Waco, TX $57,455

Helena, MT $57,410

Pine Bluff, AR $57,386

Vincennes, IN $57,308

Lubbock, TX $57,282

Alamogordo, NM $57,244

Twin Falls, ID $57,186

Rapid City, SD $57,167

Jackson, MS $57,051

Huntington, WV $57,047

Greenville, MS $57,045

Parkersburg, WV $56,979

Montgomery, AL $56,968

Wichita Falls, TX $56,903

Springfield, MO $56,903

Biloxi, MS $56,871

Monroe, LA $56,807

Johnstown, PA $56,762

Sumter, SC $56,737

Columbus, GA $56,730

Pascagoula, MS $56,608

Abilene, TX $56,608

Kingsport, TN $56,441

Albany, GA $56,441

Gulfport, MS $56,422

Alexandria, LA $56,210

Fort Smith, AR $56,050

El Paso, TX $55,877

Las Cruces, NM $55,588

Harlingen, TX $55,425

Pocatello, ID $55,415

Florence, AL $55,331

Brownsville, TX $55,319

Mcallen, TX $55,184

Dothan, AL $55,094

Columbus, MS $54,713

Altus, OK $54,414

Lawton, OK $54,292

Pierre, SD $54,061

What Skills Can Increase a CNC Set Up Operator's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

Troubleshooting (Mentioned in 1.78% Job Postings): Troubleshooting is a form of problem solving, often applied to repair failed products or processes on a machine or a system. It is a logical, systematic search for the source of a problem in order to solve it, and make the product or process operational again. Troubleshooting is needed to identify the symptoms. Determining the most likely cause is a process of elimination—eliminating potential causes of a problem. Finally, troubleshooting requires confirmation that the solution restores the product or process to its working state. In general, troubleshooting is the identification or diagnosis of "trouble" in the management flow of a system caused by a failure of some kind. The problem is initially described as symptoms of malfunction, and troubleshooting is the process of determining and remedying the causes of these symptoms. A system can be described in terms of its expected, desired or intended behavior (usually, for artificial systems, its purpose). Events or inputs to the system are expected to generate specific results or outputs. (For example, selecting the "print" option from various computer applications is intended to result in a hardcopy emerging from some specific device). Any unexpected or undesirable behavior is a symptom. Troubleshooting is the process of isolating the specific cause or causes of the symptom. Frequently the symptom is a failure of the product or process to produce any results. (Nothing was printed, for example). Corrective action can then be taken to prevent further failures of a similar kind.
Preventative Maintenance (Mentioned in 1.3% Job Postings): Developing and implementing maintenance strategies to increase equipment life expectancy and avoid unplanned downtime.
Preventive Maintenance (Mentioned in 0.98% Job Postings): Preventive maintenance is the act of performing regularly scheduled maintenance activities to help prevent unexpected failures in the future. Put simply, it's about fixing things before they break.

See More Skills

Skills	Demand Percentage
Troubleshooting	1.78%
Preventative Maintenance	1.3%
Preventive Maintenance	0.98%

What skills can make your compensation higher?

Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a CNC Set Up Operator's salary.

Initiative: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
Written Communication: Can increase your salary by up to 3%.
Lean: Can increase your salary by up to 2%.

Skill	Salary	Salary % Increase
Initiative	$66,734	4%
Written Communication	$66,092	3%
Lean	$65,451	2%
Visual Inspection	$64,809	1%
CAD	$64,809	1%
Problem Solving	$64,809	1%

Get Latest Data

CNC Set Up Operator Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For CNC Set Up 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 Set Up Operator positions in Retail & Wholesale or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view CNC Set Up Operator as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a CNC Set Up Operator

Industry Sector	Average Annual Salary	Average Hourly Rate	Pay vs.Avg
Biotechnology	$89,834	$43.0	40%
Aerospace & Defense	$83,417	$40.0	30%
Energy & Utilities	$73,792	$35.0	15%

How Education impacts a CNC Set Up Operator's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many CNC Set Up Operators enter the field with a Associate's Degree degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a CNC Set Up Operator with a Associate's Degree is between $59,874 and $64,349).

CNC Set Up Operator Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for CNC Set Up Operator

No Diploma 1.1%

High School 76.1%

Associates 19.3%

Bachelors 2.3%

Masters 1.1%

Doctorate 0.0%

view as table

Degree Level	% of user with this level of education
No Diploma	1.1%
High School	76.1%
Associates	19.3%
Bachelors	2.3%
Masters	1.1%
Doctorate	0.0%

view as graph

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

Understanding how a CNC Set Up 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

$58,201

Average $64,167/year

$72,024

$4,850

Average $5,347/month

$6,002

$1,119

Average $1,234/week

$1,385

$28

Average $31/hour

$35

	Annual Salary	Monthly Pay	Weekly Pay	Hourly Wage
75th Percentile	$72,024	$6,002	$1,385	$35
Average	$64,167	$5,347	$1,234	$31
25th Percentile	$58,201	$4,850	$1,119	$28

Salaries of jobs related to CNC Set Up Operator

Salary Trends for CNC Set Up Operator

Salaries for a CNC Set Up Operator can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $47,339 in 2023 to around $46,888 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of CNC Set Up Operator salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of CNC Set Up Operator Over Time

2022

$???

2023

$47,339

2024

$47,203

2025

$46,888

2026

$???

2027

$???

Year	Average Annual Salary
2022	View More
2023	$47,339
2024	$47,203
2025	$46,888
2026	View More
2027	View More

Most common benefits for CNC Set Up Operator

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FAQ about CNC Set Up Operator

1. What industry pays the highest salary for CNC Set Up Operator?

The Biotechnology industry offers the highest average compensation for CNC Set Up Operator roles, with salaries approximately 40% above the market median.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

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