Operate computer-controlled tools, machines, or robots to machine or process parts, tools, or other work pieces made of metal, plastic, wood, stone, or other materials. May also set up and maintain equipment.
National median · BLS
$50,690
▲ +1.44%YoY
H-1B sponsor median
—
Too few H-1B filings
Average salary · BLS
$54,320
Mean annual wage
U.S. employment
169,450
Jobs (BLS)
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Pay range for Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators
Annual base pay at each percentile. BLS covers all U.S. workers in this occupation.
Percentile
All U.S. workers (BLS)
10th — entry pay
$38,140
25th
$44,930
Median (50th)
$50,690
75th
$61,760
90th — top pay
$73,890
Hourly ⇄ annual pay
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Monthly—
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Weekly—
Daily—
Based on
hrs/week ×
weeks/year
= 2,080 hrs
Projections 2025–2035
Job outlook for Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators
BLS projects employment of computer numerically controlled tool operators to decline 9.4% from 2025 to 2035, while employment across all occupations grows 3.5%.
About 12,500 openings are projected each year, on average, from new jobs and from replacing workers who retire or move to other occupations.
Jobs 2025 → 2035
170,000 → 154,100
-15,900 jobs
Projected change
-9.4%
All occupations: +3.5%
Openings per year
12,500
Average, 2025–2035
Typical entry education
High school diploma or equivalent
No related experience required
On-the-job training
Moderate-term on-the-job training
Self-employed
0.5% of workers (2025)
Preparation needed (O*NET Job Zone 2)
Very Little to Some Preparation Needed. Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
Highlighted = in demand: frequently listed in employer job postings for this occupation (O*NET).
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
About the job
What computer numerically controlled tool operators do
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.
Listen to machines during operation to detect sounds such as those made by dull cutting tools or excessive vibration, and adjust machines to compensate for problems.
Implement changes to machine programs, and enter new specifications, using computers.
Calculate machine speed and feed ratios and the size and position of cuts.
Also called
CNC Machine Operator (Computer Numerical Control Machine Operator)CNC Machinist (Computer Numerical Control Machinist)CNC Operator (Computer Numerical Control Operator)Machine OperatorCNC Gear Operator (Computer Numerical Control Gear Operator)CNC Lathe Operator (Computer Numerical Control Lathe Operator)CNC Mill Operator (Computer Numerical Control Mill Operator)CNC Set Up Operator (Computer Numerical Control Set Up Operator)Machine Set Up Operator
More job titles for this occupation (42)
Aircraft Metals TechnicianAutomated Cutting Machine OperatorAutomated Equipment OperatorAutomation Machine OperatorCNC Laser Operator (Computer Numerical Control Laser Operator)CNC Lathe Operator (Computer Numerically Controlled Lathe Operator)CNC Machine Operator (Computer Numerically Controlled Machine Operator)CNC Machinist (Computer Numerically Controlled Machinist)CNC Mill Operator (Computer Numerically Controlled Mill Operator)CNC Milling Machine Operator (Computer Numerically Controlled Milling Machine Operator)CNC Operator (Computer Numeric Control Operator)CNC Router Operator (Computer Numerical Control Router Operator)CNC Shot Peening Operator (Computer Numerically Controlled Shot Peening Operator)CNC Tech (Computer Numerical Control Technician)CNC Tech (Computer Numerically Controlled Technician)Laser Beam Trim OperatorLaser OperatorMedical Numerical Control OperatorMetal Computer Numerically Controlled Operator (Metal CNC Operator)Metal Jig Boring Machine OperatorMetal Numerical Control Machine OperatorNumerical Control Drill Press OperatorNumerical Control Jig Boring Machine OperatorNumerical Control Lathe OperatorNumerical Control Machine OperatorNumerical Control Machine Set Up OperatorNumerical Control Machine Tool OperatorNumerical Control Machinist OperatorNumerical Control Milling Machine OperatorNumerical Control Milling Machine Set Up OperatorNumerical Control Router OperatorNumerical Control Router Set Up OperatorOperatorPlastic CNC Machine Operator (Plastic Computer Numerically Controlled Machine Operator)Plastic Numerical Control Machine OperatorPLC Tech (Programmable Logic Control Technician)Printed Circuit Boards Numerical Control Drill Operator (PCB Numerical Control Drill Operator)Robotic Machine OperatorSet Up OperatorShot Peening OperatorStencil CutterWelding Robot Operator
Source: O*NET 31.0 (USDOL/ETA, CC BY 4.0). These are general job titles, not H-1B filings; for titles employers actually filed, see “Job titles” above.
Similar jobs and how they pay
Occupations O*NET lists as closely related to Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators, with BLS national medians compared with this occupation's $50,690.
