Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator Salary: How Much Do They Make? (2026)

Median pay, hourly rates, salary ranges, and best-paying states for Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators — from official U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data.

Official BLS wage data · Unknown vintage
Median Salary
$50,690
per year, national
Hourly Rate
$24.37
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
Top 10% Earn
$73,890
entry level starts ~$38,140
Pay Grade
C+
modest pay · 169,000 employed

How much does a Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator make?

The median pay for a Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator in the United States is $50,690 per year — about $24.37 per hour. Entry-level positions start near $38,140, while the most experienced Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators in the top 10% earn $73,890.

That is $10,700 less than the median across all occupations in BLS data ($61,390).

Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator salary range by percentile

Half of all Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators earn between $44,930 and $61,760 a year.

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$38,140$18.34
25th percentile (early career)$44,930$21.60
50th percentile (median)$50,690$24.37
75th percentile (experienced)$61,760$29.69
90th percentile (top earners)$73,890$35.52

Highest-paying states for Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator

Where you work matters more than almost anything else. Washington leads the country for Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator pay at $107,920 a year, followed by Massachusetts ($61,630) and North Dakota ($60,250). At the other end, Mississippi posts the lowest median at $39,520 — a gap of $68,400 for the same job, driven by local demand, industry mix, and cost of living.

#StateMedian salaryHourlyvs national
1Washington$107,920$51.88+113%
2Massachusetts$61,630$29.63+22%
3North Dakota$60,250$28.97+19%
4Connecticut$59,840$28.77+18%
5New Hampshire$59,730$28.72+18%

Workforce and education

About 169,000 people work as Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators in the United States. The mean (average) wage is $54,320 — above the median, which means high earners pull the average up. On qualifications: a high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job, per O*NET occupation data.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator make in the United States?
The median Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator salary in the United States is $50,690 per year, or about $24.37 per hour, according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates. Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $38,140, while the top 10% of earners make $73,890 or more.
How does Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator pay compare to other jobs?
With a pay grade of C+ (modest pay), the Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator median of $50,690 is below the national median across all occupations tracked in BLS data ($61,390).
Which state pays Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators the most?
Washington is the highest-paying state for Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators, with a median salary of $107,920 per year, based on official state-level BLS wage estimates.
How long does it take to become a Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator?
Becoming a Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator typically requires a high school diploma. A high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job.
How many Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators work in the United States?
About 169,000 people were employed as Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators in the United States in the latest BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics estimates.

Related salaries

Other manufacturing & production roles with similar pay.

Cutters and Trimmers, Hand

$38,020
median pay · 6,000 employed

Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers

$48,570
median pay · 597,000 employed

Adhesive Bonding Machine Operators and Tenders

$46,460
median pay · 12,000 employed

Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers

$62,750
median pay · 3,000 employed

Sewer, Hand

$36,480
median pay · 2,000 employed
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). Percentiles, employment, and state figures are official BLS estimates; hourly figures assume 2,080 hours/year. Individual pay varies by employer, experience, and location.