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

A Cnc Machine Operator's salary grows with experience: a CNC Machine Operator I (1-3 years)earns $50,915, a Cnc Machine Operator (3-5 years)earns $64,494, a CNC Machine Operator III (5-7 years)earns $73,334,

What are the highest paying states for a Cnc Machine Operator?

Cnc Machine Operator salary varies significantly by state. The top 3 highest paying states for Cnc Machine Operator roles are District of Columbia $70,903, California $70,634, Massachusetts $69,693. These tech hubs typically pay 10-15% above the national average.

How much do different types of Cnc Machine Operator roles make?

Salaries for Cnc Machine Operator level roles vary by specialization: CNC Laser Machine Operator IV: $71,400; CNC Machine Operator IV: $71,330; CNC Machine Programmer: $63,515; CNC Laser Machine Operator III: $62,800; CNC Machine Operator III: $62,731.

How do different companies affect a Cnc Machine Operator's salary?

Company size, industry, and compensation structure create significant salary variations for Cnc Machine 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 Machine Operator Salary in the United States

How much does a Cnc Machine Operator make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Cnc Machine Operator in the United States is $64,038 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $31.

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

Top Earners (90th percentile): $77,380
Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $57,477 to $71,022
Entry-Level (10th percentile): $51,503

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Cnc Machine Operator Salaries by Percentile

	Annual Salary	Monthly Pay	Weekly Pay	Hourly Wage
75th Percentile	$71,022	$5,918	$1,366	$34
Average	$64,038	$5,337	$1,232	$31
25th Percentile	$57,477	$4,790	$1,105	$28

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Key Factors That Influence Cnc Machine Operator Salaries

A Cnc Machine 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 Machine 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 Machine Operators. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

District of Columbia: $70,903.
California: $70,634.
Massachusetts: $69,693.

District of Columbia $70,903 California $70,634 Massachusetts $69,693 Washington $69,437 New Jersey $69,411 Alaska $69,321 Connecticut $68,438 New York $68,079

Hawaii $66,933 Rhode Island $66,395 Maryland $66,030 Minnesota $65,530 Colorado $65,338 Illinois $65,274 Oregon $65,031 Delaware $64,851

New Hampshire $64,739 Virginia $64,486 Pennsylvania $63,750 Nevada $63,379 North Dakota $63,257 Michigan $63,065 Wisconsin $62,994 Vermont $62,853

Texas $62,463 Maine $62,437 Arizona $62,399 Ohio $62,354 Georgia $61,765 Indiana $61,470 Wyoming $61,413 Utah $61,323

Iowa $61,284 Kansas $60,977 Louisiana $60,887 North Carolina $60,855 Missouri $60,843 Florida $60,593 Montana $60,458 Nebraska $60,330

Kentucky $60,260 South Carolina $60,004 Tennessee $59,844 Idaho $59,780 New Mexico $59,312 Oklahoma $59,210 Alabama $58,832 South Dakota $58,198

Arkansas $57,852 West Virginia $57,666 Mississippi $57,109

Top Paying Cities for Cnc Machine 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: $80,771
San Francisco: $79,887
Oakland: $78,203

San Jose, CA $80,771

San Francisco, CA $79,887

Oakland, CA $78,203

New York, NY $73,733

Paramus, NJ $72,836

Queens Village, NY $72,833

Passaic, NJ $72,772

Bergenfield, NJ $72,766

Stamford, CT $72,626

Huntington, NY $72,599

Newark, NJ $72,126

Bridgeport, CT $71,991

Vallejo, CA $71,864

New Brunswick, NJ $71,838

Petaluma, CA $71,800

Middlesex, NJ $71,678

Somerset, NJ $71,633

Santa Cruz, CA $71,550

Boston, MA $71,159

Monterey, CA $70,934

Seattle, WA $70,788

Santa Rosa, CA $70,775

Los Angeles, CA $70,756

Juneau, AK $70,589

Washington, DC $70,519

Orange, CA $70,291

Santa Ana, CA $70,122

Long Beach, CA $70,058

Anaheim, CA $70,045

Anchorage, AK $70,013

Santa Maria, CA $69,821

Everett, WA $69,808

Danbury, CT $69,583

Bremerton, WA $69,494

Tacoma, WA $69,264

New Suffolk, NY $69,262

Sacramento, CA $69,244

Santa Barbara, CA $69,174

Trenton, NJ $69,104

San Diego, CA $69,104

Brockton, MA $69,033

Fairbanks, AK $68,876

Lompoc, CA $68,713

Lowell, MA $68,661

Ventura, CA $68,649

Nashua, NH $68,636

Stockton, CA $68,630

Modesto, CA $68,162

Poughkeepsie, NY $68,021

Olympia, WA $67,900

Kennewick, WA $67,900

New Haven, CT $67,874

Lawrence, MA $67,643

Hartford, CT $67,579

Riverside, CA $67,567

New Bedford, MA $67,503

Richland, WA $67,503

Bakersfield, CA $67,413

San Bernardino, CA $67,387

New Britain, CT $67,381

Atlantic City, NJ $67,381

New London, CT $67,355

Norwich, CT $67,336

Portsmouth, NH $67,323

Boulder, CO $67,187

Portland, OR $67,099

Worcester, MA $67,093

Minneapolis, MN $66,894

Philadelphia, PA $66,805

Honolulu, HI $66,593

Saint Paul, MN $66,562

Vineland, NJ $66,548

Providence, RI $66,363

Chicago, IL $66,177

Bellingham, WA $66,100

Springfield, MA $66,049

Baltimore, MD $66,030

Chico, CA $65,870

Pittsfield, MA $65,697

Manchester, NH $65,575

Spokane, WA $65,293

Denver, CO $65,287

Albany, NY $64,986

Troy, NY $64,960

Nassau, NY $64,892

Schenectady, NY $64,826

Wilmington, DE $64,775

Burlington, VT $64,685

Salem, OR $64,659

Portland, ME $64,461

Yakima, WA $64,397

Rochester, MN $64,198

Reno, NV $64,166

Fresno, CA $64,166

Milwaukee, WI $64,109

Detroit, MI $64,045

Ann Arbor, MI $64,034

Allentown, PA $64,025

Colorado Springs, CO $63,916

Syracuse, NY $63,884

Carson City, NV $63,884

Houston, TX $63,795

Eugene, OR $63,763

Gary, IN $63,686

Springfield, OR $63,635

Bismarck, ND $63,622

Galveston, TX $63,577

Medford, OR $63,481

Fort Collins, CO $63,455

Concord, NH $63,423

Austin, TX $63,404

Mesa, AZ $63,270

Reading, PA $63,263

Phoenix, AZ $63,257

Dallas, TX $63,238

Saint Cloud, MN $63,176

Madison, WI $63,090

Utica, NY $62,917

Rochester, NY $62,815

Des Moines, IA $62,809

Raleigh, NC $62,802

Atlanta, GA $62,706

Battle Creek, MI $62,687

Salt Lake City, UT $62,668

Lancaster, PA $62,572

Harrisburg, PA $62,482

Kansas City, MO $62,418

Champaign, IL $62,405

Kansas City, KS $62,405

Fort Worth, TX $62,399

Columbus, OH $62,388

Boca Raton, FL $62,373

Pittsburgh, PA $62,347

Richmond, VA $62,322

Indianapolis, IN $62,309

Cleveland, OH $62,303

Las Vegas, NV $62,226

Cincinnati, OH $62,226

Petersburg, VA $62,130

Huntsville, AL $62,034

Lansing, MI $61,991

Lebanon, PA $61,982

Pueblo, CO $61,976

Appleton, WI $61,957

Buffalo, NY $61,931

Dayton, OH $61,912

Racine, WI $61,899

Charlotte, NC $61,893

Saint Louis, MO $61,874

York, PA $61,835

Elkhart, IN $61,835

Gastonia, NC $61,823

Billings, MT $61,808

Beaumont, TX $61,790

Lorain, OH $61,778

Benton Harbor, MI $61,765

Toledo, OH $61,752

Binghamton, NY $61,720

Rock Hill, SC $61,714

Rockford, IL $61,681

Springfield, IL $61,656

Elyria, OH $61,649

Fargo, ND $61,649

Flagstaff, AZ $61,605

Fort Lauderdale, FL $61,566

Duluth, MN $61,528

Miami, FL $61,528

Cheyenne, WY $61,483

Grand Forks, ND $61,483

Bangor, ME $61,342

Cedar Rapids, IA $61,272

Durham, NC $61,245

Louisville, KY $61,240

Grand Rapids, MI $61,227

Hialeah, FL $61,220

Casper, WY $61,131

Scranton, PA $61,054

New Orleans, LA $61,035

Virginia Beach, VA $61,028

Akron, OH $60,996

Peoria, IL $60,913

Sarasota, FL $60,900

Nashville, TN $60,855

Omaha, NE $60,855

Green Bay, WI $60,855

Baton Rouge, LA $60,823

Charleston, SC $60,811

Jamestown, NY $60,779

Davenport, IA $60,779

Tucson, AZ $60,747

Saint Petersburg, FL $60,708

Tampa, FL $60,695

Evansville, IN $60,657

Port Arthur, TX $60,657

Bradenton, FL $60,631

Santa Fe, NM $60,516

Orlando, FL $60,401

Clearwater, FL $60,382

Canton, OH $60,247

La Crosse, WI $60,247

Albuquerque, NM $60,209

Newport News, VA $60,202

High Point, NC $60,183

Ogden, UT $60,157

Corpus Christi, TX $60,106

Norfolk, VA $60,068

Laramie, WY $60,068

Rock Island, IL $60,029

Saginaw, MI $60,017

Jacksonville, FL $60,010

Salisbury, NC $59,997

Boise, ID $59,984

Moline, IL $59,952

Fort Myers, FL $59,933

Memphis, TN $59,920

Tulsa, OK $59,888

Waterloo, IA $59,850

Spartanburg, SC $59,786

Lincoln, NE $59,754

Fort Wayne, IN $59,741

Provo, UT $59,735

Cedar Falls, IA $59,658

San Antonio, TX $59,632

Greensboro, NC $59,607

South Bend, IN $59,600

Savannah, GA $59,530

Muskegon, MI $59,504

Birmingham, AL $59,498

Winston Salem, NC $59,466

Lake Charles, LA $59,312

Anderson, IN $59,299

Lexington, KY $59,280

Augusta, GA $59,261

Greenville, SC $59,261

Lima, OH $59,210

Wichita, KS $59,203

Tuscaloosa, AL $59,203

Columbia, SC $59,146

Springfield, OH $59,133

Asheville, NC $59,030

Bloomington, IN $58,985

Knoxville, TN $58,755

Shreveport, LA $58,749

Wilmington, NC $58,665

Roanoke, VA $58,665

Topeka, KS $58,550

Frankfort, KY $58,543

Oklahoma City, OK $58,499

Chillicothe, OH $58,473

Longview, TX $58,467

Melbourne, FL $58,460

Sioux Falls, SD $58,358

Mobile, AL $58,352

Terre Haute, IN $58,326

Altoona, PA $58,287

Amarillo, TX $58,243

Killeen, TX $58,223

Fayetteville, AR $58,172

Chattanooga, TN $58,153

Sioux City, IA $58,095

Idaho Falls, ID $58,083

Lynchburg, VA $58,031

Gainesville, FL $57,948

Portsmouth, OH $57,916

Little Rock, AR $57,903

Lafayette, LA $57,878

Youngstown, OH $57,878

Daytona Beach, FL $57,839

Clarksville, TN $57,833

Pensacola, FL $57,826

Temple, TX $57,822

Hopkinsville, KY $57,634

Erie, PA $57,621

Florence, SC $57,596

Charleston, WV $57,493

Great Falls, MT $57,461

Macon, GA $57,372

Tallahassee, FL $57,365

Fayetteville, NC $57,353

Waco, TX $57,340

Helena, MT $57,295

Pine Bluff, AR $57,271

Vincennes, IN $57,192

Lubbock, TX $57,167

Alamogordo, NM $57,128

Twin Falls, ID $57,071

Rapid City, SD $57,052

Jackson, MS $56,936

Huntington, WV $56,932

Greenville, MS $56,930

Parkersburg, WV $56,865

Montgomery, AL $56,853

Wichita Falls, TX $56,789

Springfield, MO $56,789

Biloxi, MS $56,757

Monroe, LA $56,693

Johnstown, PA $56,648

Sumter, SC $56,622

Columbus, GA $56,616

Pascagoula, MS $56,494

Abilene, TX $56,494

Kingsport, TN $56,328

Albany, GA $56,328

Gulfport, MS $56,309

Alexandria, LA $56,097

Fort Smith, AR $55,937

El Paso, TX $55,764

Las Cruces, NM $55,476

Harlingen, TX $55,314

Pocatello, ID $55,303

Florence, AL $55,220

Brownsville, TX $55,207

Mcallen, TX $55,073

Dothan, AL $54,983

Columbus, MS $54,603

Altus, OK $54,304

Lawton, OK $54,183

Pierre, SD $53,952

What Skills Can Increase a Cnc Machine 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 Machine 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	$66,600	4%
Written Communication	$65,959	3%
Lean	$65,319	2%
Visual Inspection	$64,678	1%
CAD	$64,678	1%
Problem Solving	$64,678	1%

Get Latest Data

Cnc Machine Operator Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

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

The top paying industries for a Cnc Machine Operator

Industry Sector	Average Annual Salary	Average Hourly Rate	Pay vs.Avg
Biotechnology	$89,653	$43.0	40%
Aerospace & Defense	$83,250	$40.0	30%
Energy & Utilities	$73,644	$35.0	15%

How Education impacts a Cnc Machine Operator's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Cnc Machine 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 Machine Operator with a Associate's Degree is between $59,874 and $64,349).

Cnc Machine Operator Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Cnc Machine 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 Machine Operator Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Cnc Machine 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

$57,477

Average $64,038/year

$71,022

$4,790

Average $5,337/month

$5,918

$1,105

Average $1,232/week

$1,366

$28

Average $31/hour

$34

	Annual Salary	Monthly Pay	Weekly Pay	Hourly Wage
75th Percentile	$71,022	$5,918	$1,366	$34
Average	$64,038	$5,337	$1,232	$31
25th Percentile	$57,477	$4,790	$1,105	$28

Salaries of jobs related to Cnc Machine Operator

Salary Trends for Cnc Machine Operator

Salaries for a Cnc Machine Operator can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $48,826 in 2023 to around $48,361 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Cnc Machine Operator salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Cnc Machine Operator Over Time

2022

$???

2023

$48,826

2024

$48,685

2025

$48,361

2026

$???

2027

$???

Year	Average Annual Salary
2022	View More
2023	$48,826
2024	$48,685
2025	$48,361
2026	View More
2027	View More

Most common benefits for Cnc Machine Operator

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Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Cnc Machine Operator job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

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FAQ about Cnc Machine Operator

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Cnc Machine Operator?

The Biotechnology industry offers the highest average compensation for Cnc Machine 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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