Entry Level Cnc Operator Salary in the United States

How much does an Entry Level Cnc Operator make in the United States?

As of April 01, 2026, the average salary for an Entry Level Cnc Operator in the United States is $49,070 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $24.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $58,346
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $43,831 to $53,925
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $39,061
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View as table View as graph 25% $43,831 10% $39,061 90% $58,346 75% $53,925 $49,070 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Entry Level Cnc Operator Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary		 Monthly
Pay		 Weekly
Pay		 Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $53,925 $4,494 $1,037 $26
Average $49,070 $4,089 $944 $24
25th Percentile $43,831 $3,653 $843 $21
Check out Entry Level Cnc Operator Job Openings in the United States
ENTRY LEVEL OPERATOR FORKLIFT

Kelly Services, Inc. - Hudson, OH

Entry Level CNC Machine Operator

Pro Mechanical Services - Cincinnati, OH

Entry Level CNC Machining Operator

ZOOK - Chagrin Falls, OH

Entry level CNC Machinist

Pro Mechanical Services - Cleveland, OH

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Key Factors That Influence Entry Level Cnc Operator Salaries

An Entry Level 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.

Top Paying Cities for Entry Level 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:

  • San Jose: $61,892
  • San Francisco: $61,283
  • Oakland: $59,924

What Skills Can Increase an Entry Level Cnc Operator's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Troubleshooting (Mentioned in 1.81% 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.
  • Machine Controls (Mentioned in 1.31% Job Postings): Machine Control is the use of positioning tools and a display to provide a construction machinery operator with a reference between the position of the bucket or blade and the target grade.
  • Preventive Maintenance (Mentioned in 1.02% 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 1.81%
Machine Controls 1.31%
Preventive Maintenance 1.02%
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 an Entry Level Cnc Operator's salary.
  • Collaboration: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
  • Verbal Communication: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
  • CAD: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Collaboration
 $51,033
4%
Verbal Communication
 $51,033
4%
CAD
 $51,033
4%
Programming
 $50,542
3%
Welding
 $50,542
3%
Scheduling
 $50,542
3%
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Entry Level Cnc Operator Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Entry Level 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.

  • Hourly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Yearly
  • Table View
Last Updated on April 01, 2026
$43,831
Average $49,070/year
$53,925
$3,653
Average $4,089/month
$4,494
$843
Average $944/week
$1,037
$21
Average $24/hour
$26
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $53,925 $4,494 $1,037 $26
Average $49,070 $4,089 $944 $24
25th Percentile $43,831 $3,653 $843 $21

Salaries of jobs related to Entry Level Cnc Operator

Salary Trends for Entry Level Cnc Operator

Salaries for an Entry Level Cnc Operator can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary increased from $42,008 in 2023 to around $42,045 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Entry Level Cnc Operator salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Entry Level Cnc Operator Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$42,008
2024
$42,159
2025
$42,045
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $42,008
2024 $42,159
2025 $42,045
2026
View More
2027
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Most common benefits for Entry Level Cnc Operator

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Entry Level Cnc Operator

Here are companies hiring for Entry Level Cnc Operator and their salaries, click below for more details.

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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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