California Median
$82,090
per year
Hourly Rate
$39.47
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+21% vs US median
US median $68,120
State Rank
#2 of 43
2,990 employed here
How much does a Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmer make in California?
Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers in California take home a median of $82,090 annually — roughly $39.47 an hour — which runs 21% above the national median of $68,120.
Within California, entry-level pay starts around $55,900 while the top 10% make $126,010 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $66,440 and $102,980 a year.
Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmer salary range in California
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $55,900 | $26.88 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $66,440 | $31.94 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $82,090 | $39.47 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $102,980 | $49.51 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $126,010 | $60.58 |
|
How California compares
California ranks 2nd out of 43 states and territories for Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmer pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmer salary in other states
Connecticut $86,390Massachusetts $81,670Washington $81,420Missouri $78,130Vermont $77,980Kansas $76,080North Dakota $75,990Oregon $75,150Arizona $74,450Virginia $74,390Minnesota $74,190Maine $72,920New Hampshire $71,680Montana $70,860New Jersey $70,460Tennessee $69,700Colorado $69,570Texas $69,550South Carolina $69,470Illinois $68,830New York $68,730Wisconsin $67,460South Dakota $66,650Pennsylvania $66,330Maryland $65,670Utah $65,610Oklahoma $65,590Kentucky $64,980Michigan $64,640Alabama $64,590North Carolina $63,990Florida $63,970Idaho $63,560Indiana $63,200Nebraska $63,190Rhode Island $62,640Georgia $61,360Ohio $60,080Iowa $57,780Nevada $57,210Arkansas $56,390Mississippi $50,190
Working as a Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmer in California
Nationally, about 29,000 people work as Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers in the United States. A high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job.
Considering a move? Compare California pay ($82,090) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmer make in California?
The median Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmer salary in California is $82,090 per year, or about $39.47 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $55,900 at the entry level to $126,010 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers about 21% more than the national median of $68,120. California ranks 2nd out of 43 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers?
Yes on pay — California pays above the national median for this occupation, at $82,090 a year. About 2,990 Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers are employed in California. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in California?
The highest-paying occupations in California include Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric ($400,150), Neurologist ($357,080), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($353,900), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmer salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.