As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a CNC Engineer in the United States is $76,843 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $37.
However, a CNC Engineer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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A CNC Engineer'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 Engineer'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 |
|---|---|
| CNC Engin... Level CNC Engineer | $76,249 |
| Database ... Level CNC Engineer | $103,032 |
| Database ... Level CNC Engineer | $125,412 |
| Database ... Level CNC Engineer | $144,012 |
| Database ... Level CNC Engineer | $168,029 |
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 Engineers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Analysis | 3.55% |
| Computer Science | 3.76% |
| Data Modeling | 2.12% |
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
|
Partnering
|
$80,685 |
5%
|
|
Integrity
|
$79,917 |
4%
|
|
Data Warehousing
|
$79,917 |
4%
|
|
Agile
|
$79,148 |
3%
|
|
AWS
|
$79,148 |
3%
|
|
Collaboration
|
$79,148 |
3%
|
For CNC Engineer roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 113% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Pharmaceuticals and Software & Networking sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 40% above the average. In contrast, CNC Engineer positions in Transportation or Telecom typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view CNC Engineer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pharmaceuticals | $107,580 | $52.0 | 40% |
| Software & Networking | $103,738 | $50.0 | 35% |
| Financial Services | $99,896 | $48.0 | 30% |
| Insurance | $96,054 | $46.0 | 25% |
| Biotechnology | $92,211 | $44.0 | 20% |
Understanding how a CNC Engineer'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, 2026Salaries for a CNC Engineer can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $83,308 in 2023 to around $81,137 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of CNC Engineer salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 |
View More
|
| 2023 | $83,308 |
| 2024 | $83,069 |
| 2025 | $81,137 |
| 2026 |
View More
|
| 2027 |
View More
|
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The Pharmaceuticals industry offers the highest average compensation for CNC Engineer roles, with salaries approximately 40% above the market median.
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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