How much does a cnc programmer make?
Answer: A typical cnc programmer in the United States makes $68,120 a year (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
Line up 100 people; this is the one in the middle (median). about 29,000 people work in this job. Well above the US-wide typical pay ($50,980).
If 100 people had this job
Lowest at bottom-left, highest at top-rightHover over a person to see their yearly pay
CNC programmer pay in the United States (May 2025, median and spread)
| Lower earner (10th from bottom) | Typical person (median) | Higher earner (10th from top) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|---|
| $47,530 | $68,120 | $100,320 | about 29,000 |
| State | Typical person (median) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Connecticut | $86,390 | about 500 |
| California | $82,090 | about 3,000 |
| Massachusetts | $81,670 | about 680 |
| Washington | $81,420 | about 660 |
| Kansas | $76,080 | about 680 |
Why does pay differ?
In the U.S., experience and in-demand skills can boost earnings, and professional certificates may help. Pay also varies by employer and industry, location, and how complex or specialized the work is.
What if you lived in a different state?
Pay varies a lot by state in the USTop 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
What does a cnc programmer do?
Develop programs to control machining or processing of materials by automatic machine tools, equipment, or systems. May also set up, operate, or maintain equipment.
What's a typical day like?
They read drawings, choose cutting tools and the order of operations, then write the machine's instructions on a computer. They test or simulate the program, check the part against its specifications, and fix errors.
How to get this job
Finish high school, then take postsecondary CNC or CAD/CAM training at a U.S. technical school or community college. Learn on the job or through an apprenticeship; optional certificates can show your skills.
High school plus some training (preparation level 2 of 5)
Good for people who like keeping things organized and building and doing.
Did you know?
An early ancestor of today's CNC machines was developed at MIT in 1952, and it read movement commands from punched paper tape!
Similar jobs
Jobs using similar skills (O*NET)Earn more in the same field
Production jobs that pay a bit moreSources and data
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 (bls.gov); descriptions and related jobs from O*NET 31.0. Figures as of May 2025, full-time yearly pay (hourly × 2,080 hours). bls.gov/oes · O*NET OnLine
Pages used for the text
- www.bls.gov/ooh/production/metal-and-plastic-machine-workers.htm
- www.bls.gov/ooh/production/machinists-and-tool-and-die-makers.htm
- www.onetonline.org/link/details/51-9162.00
- www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2015/article/wage-differences.htm
- www.bls.gov/oes/2023/may/oes519162.htm
- www.mitmuseum.mit.edu/collections/object/1990.036.001
Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY