Updated November 7, 2026 · 2026 tax rules · Data: IRS, BLS, BEA, HUD · How we calculate

Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator Salary

Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators earn a median $50,690 a year nationally. Production Occupations

U.S. median

$50,690

$24.37 per hour

Range

$38,140 – $73,890

10th to 90th percentile

Employed

169,450

across the U.S.

▲1.4%

Pay trend: The median for computer numerically controlled tool operators in the U.S. rose from $49,970 (May 2024) to $50,690 (May 2025). That trailed inflation (2.4%), so buying power slipped about 1.0%.

What computer numerically controlled tool operators do

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.

Typical education: High school diploma or equivalent
Work experience: None required
On-the-job training: Moderate-term on-the-job training
Job outlook, 2025–35: -9.4% (declining)
Openings per year: 12,500

Employment of computer numerically controlled tool operators is projected to shrink 9.4% from 2025 to 2035, slower than the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 12,500 openings are expected each year, on average, including jobs left by workers who retire or switch careers.

Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.

Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator take-home pay calculator

Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.

Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator

Pay

Per

State

Filing status

City income tax

Deductions, kids & local tax

401(k) % of pay

Health/HSA $ per year

Children under 17

Other local tax %

2026 tax year. Federal brackets from IRS Rev. Proc. 2025-32.

Your take-home pay

$42,909

per year · effective tax rate 15.3%

$3,576Monthly

$1,788Twice a month

$1,650Every 2 weeks

$20.63Hourly

Federal income tax$3,903
Social Security (6.2%)$3,143
Medicare (1.45%)$735
Texas income tax$0
Take-home pay$42,909

Marginal rate: 12% federal + 0.00% state

Pay by experience

Percentile	Salary	Hourly	Take-home (no state tax)
10th percentile (entry level)	$38,140	$18.34	$32,825
25th percentile	$44,930	$21.60	$38,281
Median (50th)	$50,690	$24.37	$42,909
75th percentile	$61,760	$29.69	$51,804
90th percentile (top earners)	$73,890	$35.52	$60,812

Best cities for computer numerically controlled tool operators (after tax & cost of living)

#	Metro area	Median	Take-home	Real value*	Jobs
1	Cincinnati, OH	$54,790	$45,479	$47,687	2,970
2	Minneapolis, MN	$57,850	$46,252	$44,124	3,010
3	Cleveland, OH	$48,670	$40,730	$43,366	4,770
4	Houston, TX	$50,280	$42,580	$43,172	5,200
5	New York, NY	$58,900	$46,923	$41,686	2,770
6	Dallas, TX	$47,990	$40,740	$39,519	3,150
7	Los Angeles, CA	$54,980	$44,293	$39,002	10,450
8	Detroit, MI	$46,880	$38,106	$37,993	2,900
9	Chicago, IL	$48,660	$39,014	$37,661	5,480

*Take-home pay in U.S.-average dollars (BEA Regional Price Parities).

Highest-paying cities

New York, NY — $58,900
Minneapolis, MN — $57,850
Los Angeles, CA — $54,980
Cincinnati, OH — $54,790
Houston, TX — $50,280
Cleveland, OH — $48,670
Chicago, IL — $48,660
Dallas, TX — $47,990
Detroit, MI — $46,880

Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator salary by state

State	Median	1-yr change	Take-home	Range	Jobs
Washington	$107,920	+3.6%	$84,752	$54,590 – $116,670	2,270
Massachusetts	$61,630	−0.3%	$48,838	$42,810 – $77,920	2,500
North Dakota	$60,250	−2.2%	$50,591	$46,530 – $72,660	250
Connecticut	$59,840	+11.3%	$48,494	$45,410 – $74,310	2,740
New Hampshire	$59,730	+7.7%	$50,173	$46,750 – $80,280	1,770
Maine	$59,660	+0.7%	$47,271	$42,880 – $62,250	440
Vermont	$57,500	+8.9%	$46,889	$44,480 – $81,820	1,190
Rhode Island	$57,390	+12.3%	$46,758	$44,010 – $74,630	540
Minnesota	$56,780	+5.5%	$45,465	$43,890 – $76,340	4,290
Oregon	$56,670	+10.4%	$43,585	$42,850 – $76,980	2,920
California	$56,510	+2.3%	$45,411	$39,670 – $76,840	21,680
Colorado	$55,270	+8.6%	$44,866	$44,450 – $77,260	1,580
Pennsylvania	$54,590	−1.8%	$44,367	$40,410 – $74,420	7,840
Wyoming	$54,170	+1.5%	$45,706	$40,800 – $75,560	60
New Jersey	$54,100	−4.7%	$44,208	$35,430 – $75,230	1,770
Idaho	$53,340	+12.9%	$43,320	$40,340 – $77,560	480
New York	$53,340	+5.4%	$42,755	$39,800 – $72,950	5,530
Wisconsin	$52,690	−5.1%	$42,979	$40,800 – $72,290	8,330
Alabama	$52,380	+6.0%	$41,913	$38,320 – $76,360	3,120
Iowa	$52,300	+4.1%	$42,867	$39,450 – $63,040	4,750
Montana	$51,880	+9.9%	$42,184	$39,040 – $68,880	240
South Carolina	$51,800	+4.0%	$41,850	$38,350 – $67,980	2,460
Missouri	$51,000	+3.5%	$41,699	$37,790 – $68,730	1,500
South Dakota	$50,750	+0.6%	$42,958	$39,910 – $64,720	1,420
North Carolina	$50,440	−4.4%	$41,205	$37,410 – $80,770	3,680
Arkansas	$50,280	+3.0%	$40,832	$35,180 – $69,250	2,180
Delaware	$50,010	+4.9%	$40,264	$39,450 – $66,560	170
Tennessee	$49,980	+2.6%	$42,339	$38,000 – $64,620	1,980
Louisiana	$49,800	−1.2%	$41,087	$35,610 – $64,570	670
West Virginia	$49,630	+8.1%	$40,553	$34,450 – $64,550	160
Virginia	$49,590	+4.2%	$39,988	$36,620 – $69,720	1,890
Nebraska	$49,360	−1.5%	$40,474	$37,950 – $63,070	830
Kentucky	$49,180	+3.0%	$40,092	$37,900 – $64,260	1,740
Ohio	$49,160	+2.2%	$41,111	$37,170 – $70,630	21,250
Arizona	$48,950	+0.6%	$40,496	$40,400 – $65,780	1,800
Indiana	$48,590	+1.9%	$39,818	$38,550 – $71,170	9,690
Texas	$48,480	+3.2%	$41,134	$34,940 – $69,760	13,190
Illinois	$48,420	+0.9%	$38,833	$38,990 – $68,950	8,170
Kansas	$48,400	+1.8%	$39,168	$39,660 – $70,240	2,540
Oklahoma	$47,760	−2.2%	$38,951	$34,490 – $62,190	1,490
Georgia	$47,630	−0.2%	$38,602	$36,490 – $72,610	2,200
Michigan	$47,250	+1.3%	$38,388	$36,190 – $62,800	7,330
Maryland	$46,870	−9.9%	$37,977	$32,060 – $74,010	1,800
Nevada	$46,670	−7.3%	$39,679	$36,500 – $68,270	400
Florida	$46,170	+1.9%	$39,278	$36,430 – $61,860	4,040
Utah	$45,140	−1.6%	$37,385	$36,300 – $61,180	1,170
New Mexico	$44,970	+2.9%	$37,347	$32,560 – $61,670	70
Mississippi	$39,520	−0.9%	$33,086	$33,280 – $60,080	1,290

Related jobs

Job	Median salary	Education	Growth 2025–35
Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmer	$68,120	Postsecondary nondegree award	+5.9%
Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders	$50,270	High school diploma or equivalent	-3.6%
Semiconductor Processing Technician	$51,430	High school diploma or equivalent	+8.2%
Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders	$51,610	High school diploma or equivalent	-5.7%
Dental Laboratory Technician	$49,610	High school diploma or equivalent	-5.9%
Mixing and Blending Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders	$48,990	High school diploma or equivalent	-6.1%
Jeweler and Precious Stone and Metal Worker	$52,540	High school diploma or equivalent	-3.2%
Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers	$48,570	High school diploma or equivalent	+2.5%
Crushing, Grinding, and Polishing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders	$48,540	High school diploma or equivalent	-1.7%
Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders	$48,250	High school diploma or equivalent	+2.5%

Frequently asked questions

How much does a computer numerically controlled tool operator make?

The national median salary for computer numerically controlled tool operators is $50,690 a year ($24.37 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $38,140 and the top 10% earn over $73,890. Source: BLS, May 2025.

Which state pays computer numerically controlled tool operators the most?

Washington has the highest median pay at $107,920. After taxes and local prices, Cincinnati, OH offers the best real take-home pay of any metro area.

How many computer numerically controlled tool operators are there in the U.S.?

About 169,450 people work as computer numerically controlled tool operators nationwide.