CNC Process Engineer Salary in the United States

How much does a CNC Process Engineer make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a CNC Process Engineer in the United States is $87,962 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $42.

However, a CNC Process Engineer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $102,410
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $81,175 to $95,524
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $74,995

Key Factors That Influence CNC Process Engineer Salaries

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

How Experience Level Affects CNC Process Engineer Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a CNC Process 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:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $87,406
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $100,170
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $111,185
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $135,910
  • Expert (over 8 years): $118,560
Levels Salary
CNC Proce... Level CNC Process Engineer$87,406
Process E... Level CNC Process Engineer$100,170
Process E... Level CNC Process Engineer$111,185
Process E... Level CNC Process Engineer$135,910
Process E... Level CNC Process Engineer$118,560

How Do CNC Process Engineer 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 Process Engineers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $97,391.
  • California: $97,022.
  • Massachusetts: $95,729.

Top Paying Cities for CNC Process Engineers

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: $110,946
  • San Francisco: $109,731
  • Oakland: $107,419

What Skills Can Increase a CNC Process Engineer's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 6.14% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • Design Engineering (Mentioned in 1.88% Job Postings): Creating a system, component, or process to develop new products and systems.
  • PowerPoint (Mentioned in 1.46% Job Postings): A computer software created by Microsoft which allows the user to create slides with recordings, narrations, transitions and other features in order to present information.
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 6.14%
Design Engineering 1.88%
PowerPoint 1.46%

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 Process Engineer's salary.

  • Semiconductors: Can increase your salary by up to 10%.
  • Mechanical Engineering: Can increase your salary by up to 8%.
  • Six Sigma: Can increase your salary by up to 8%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Semiconductors $96,758
10%
Mechanical Engineering $94,999
8%
Six Sigma $94,999
8%

CNC Process Engineer Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For CNC Process Engineer roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 45% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Biotechnology and Energy & Utilities sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, CNC Process Engineer positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit or Construction typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view CNC Process Engineer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a CNC Process Engineer

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Biotechnology$105,554$51.020%
Energy & Utilities$101,156$49.015%
Aerospace & Defense$96,758$47.010%
Software & Networking$96,758$47.010%
Telecom$96,758$47.010%

How Education impacts a CNC Process Engineer's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many CNC Process Engineers enter the field with a Bachelor'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 Process Engineer with a Bachelor's Degree is between $75,272 and $78,139).

CNC Process Engineer Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for CNC Process Engineer
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 2.3%
High School 2.3%
Associates 3.5%
Bachelors 62.6%
Masters 27.0%
Doctorate 4.6%

CNC Process Engineer Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a CNC Process 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 September 01, 2026
$81,175
Average $87,962/year
$95,524
$6,765
Average $7,330/month
$7,960
$1,561
Average $1,692/week
$1,837
$39
Average $42/hour
$46
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $95,524 $7,960 $1,837 $46
Average $87,962 $7,330 $1,692 $42
25th Percentile $81,175 $6,765 $1,561 $39

Most common benefits for CNC Process Engineer

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for CNC Process Engineer

Here are companies hiring for CNC Process Engineer and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about CNC Process Engineer

1. What industry pays the highest salary for CNC Process Engineer?

The Biotechnology industry offers the highest average compensation for CNC Process Engineer roles, with salaries approximately 20% 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.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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