Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, aged to 2026 using compounded market movement. State selections show BLS state-level figures where published. Actual pay varies with experience, industry, and organization size.
Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator salary by state
Base salary plus target annual bonus. Target bonus opportunity scales with role level, so a higher base carries a higher target percentage.
Base salary
$56,000
National baseline
Target bonus
$5,000
9.1% of base
Total target cash
$61,000
Base plus target bonus
Bonus percentiles:25th$3,00050th$5,00075th$8,000
Long-term incentive is not shown for this role. Equity awards are only disclosed publicly for the named executive officers of public companies, so no market figure exists for most jobs. See executive pay disclosures.
About this role
Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator is a professional role within the function in the Production job family.
Typical entry preparation: High School Diploma and up to 1 year of related work experience, per O*NET occupational data. Advancement typically requires additional years in role.
What Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators do
Typical education: High School Diploma
Measure dimensions of finished workpieces to ensure conformance to specifications, using precision measuring instruments, templates, and fixtures.
Set up and operate computer-controlled machines or robots to perform one or more machine functions on metal or plastic workpieces.
Mount, install, align, and secure tools, attachments, fixtures, and workpieces on machines, using hand tools and precision measuring instruments.
Review program specifications or blueprints to determine and set machine operations and sequencing, finished workpiece dimensions, or numerical control sequences.
Stop machines to remove finished workpieces or to change tooling, setup, or workpiece placement, according to required machining sequences.
Top skills:Operations MonitoringOperation and ControlMonitoringCritical ThinkingQuality Control AnalysisTroubleshooting
Includes information from O*NET OnLine by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (CC BY 4.0).
Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator pay by experience level
Entry level$39,500
Typical starting pay (about the 10th percentile)
Early career$46,500
A few years in (about the 25th percentile)
Experienced$52,500
Mid-career median pay
Senior$64,000
Seasoned professionals (about the 75th percentile)
Top earners$76,500
Highest earners (about the 90th percentile)
Experience tiers are derived from the BLS wage percentile distribution for this occupation, aged to 2026. Actual pay varies by employer, location, and specialization.
Job outlook
-10.7%
projected change in jobs, 2024–2034
13,500
projected openings per year
Declining
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program (2024–2034). Openings include growth and replacement needs.
Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator salary by industry
Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing
57,940 workers
$55,500
Machine Shops; Turned Product; and Screw, Nut, and Bolt Manufacturing
32,130 workers
$55,500
Machinery Manufacturing
29,440 workers
$57,000
Transportation Equipment Manufacturing
26,450 workers
$61,500
Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing (3321, 3322, 3325, 3326, and 3329 only)
17,400 workers
$54,500
Machinery Manufacturing (3331, 3332, 3334, and 3339 only)
16,020 workers
$57,000
Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing
13,470 workers
$69,000
Metalworking Machinery Manufacturing
10,020 workers
$56,500
Motor Vehicle Parts Manufacturing
9,200 workers
$51,500
Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing (3323 and 3324 only)
8,090 workers
$57,000
National sector-level figures, BLS OEWS May 2025, aged to 2026.
Typical duties and FLSA status
Core duties
Measure dimensions of finished workpieces to ensure conformance to specifications, using precision measuring instruments, templates, and fixtures.
Set up and operate computer-controlled machines or robots to perform one or more machine functions on metal or plastic workpieces.
Mount, install, align, and secure tools, attachments, fixtures, and workpieces on machines, using hand tools and precision measuring instruments.
Review program specifications or blueprints to determine and set machine operations and sequencing, finished workpiece dimensions, or numerical control sequences.
Stop machines to remove finished workpieces or to change tooling, setup, or workpiece placement, according to required machining sequences.
FLSA classification (typical)
Typically Non-exempt · Service, trades, or production work
Occupations in this SOC group are typically classified as Non-exempt and eligible for overtime pay under FLSA rules. Actual classification depends on the specific job duties, salary basis, and any applicable state or local rules. The current federal salary threshold for exemption is $684 per week ($35,568 per year), per the 2020 Department of Labor rule; the 2024 rule that would have raised the threshold was struck down by federal court in November 2024.
How this role compares
Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator pays 0% below the average across 112 roles in the Production job family (family average $56,000).
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