Careers / Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers
Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers — Career Decision Dashboard
United States
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Report generated from official BLS OEWS and O*NET data — United States.
Median annual wage
$68,120
United States, 2025
Employment
28,500
United States, 2025
Typical education
High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)
Job Zone 2
Skills identified
35
10 related careers
Career overview
Develop programs to control machining or processing of materials by automatic machine tools, equipment, or systems. May also set up, operate, or maintain equipment.
- O*NET code
- 51-9162.00
- Job zone
- 2
- Experience required
- Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years
Typical tasks
- Determine the sequence of machine operations, and select the proper cutting tools needed to machine workpieces into the desired shapes.
- Analyze job orders, drawings, blueprints, specifications, printed circuit board pattern films, and design data to calculate dimensions, tool selection, machine speeds, and feed rates.
- Observe machines on trial runs or conduct computer simulations to ensure that programs and machinery will function properly and produce items that meet specifications.
- Write programs in the language of a machine's controller and store programs on media, such as punch tapes, magnetic tapes, or disks.
- Determine reference points, machine cutting paths, or hole locations, and compute angular and linear dimensions, radii, and curvatures.
- Enter computer commands to store or retrieve parts patterns, graphic displays, or programs that transfer data to other media.
- Revise programs or tapes to eliminate errors, and retest programs to check that problems have been solved.
- Modify existing programs to enhance efficiency.
Choose a location
Salary analysis — United States
10th percentile
$47,530
25th percentile
$58,270
75th percentile
$81,890
90th percentile
$100,320
Most important skills
- Programming3.8
- Monitoring3.5
- Complex Problem Solving3.1
- Mathematics3.1
- Systems Analysis3.1
- Operations Monitoring3.1
- Critical Thinking3.0
- Active Listening3.0
- Systems Evaluation3.0
- Reading Comprehension3.0
- Operation and Control3.0
- Judgment and Decision Making3.0
What skills do you need?
Select the skills you already have
Skills listed are those O*NET rates at importance 3.0 or above for this occupation. Set your own level on the same 0–7 O*NET scale.
Skill coverage
0%
0 of 16 identified skills
Matched
0
Missing
16
Your selected skills cover approximately 0% of the skills identified for this occupation in O*NET. This is a coverage measure of listed skills only — it is not a qualification, hiring or interview outcome.
Skills to develop
| Skill | Importance | Required level | Your level | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Operations Monitoring | 3.1 | 4.0 | Not selected | 4.0 |
| Monitoring | 3.5 | 3.5 | Not selected | 3.5 |
| Reading Comprehension | 3.0 | 3.6 | Not selected | 3.6 |
| Mathematics | 3.1 | 3.4 | Not selected | 3.4 |
| Critical Thinking | 3.0 | 3.5 | Not selected | 3.5 |
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.1 | 3.1 | Not selected | 3.1 |
| Systems Analysis | 3.1 | 3.1 | Not selected | 3.1 |
| Operation and Control | 3.0 | 3.1 | Not selected | 3.1 |
| Quality Control Analysis | 3.0 | 3.1 | Not selected | 3.1 |
| Active Listening | 3.0 | 3.0 | Not selected | 3.0 |
| Systems Evaluation | 3.0 | 3.0 | Not selected | 3.0 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.0 | 3.0 | Not selected | 3.0 |
| Speaking | 3.0 | 3.0 | Not selected | 3.0 |
| Troubleshooting | 3.0 | 3.0 | Not selected | 3.0 |
| Time Management | 3.0 | 3.0 | Not selected | 3.0 |
| Programming | 3.8 | — | Not selected | — |
Ordered by required level gap multiplied by O*NET importance. No prediction or recommendation is implied.
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Compare with Computer Numerically Controlled Tool ProgrammersHow salary varies by location
| Location | Median | Employment | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose, CA | $102,980 | 420 | 2025 |
| Wichita, KS | $99,790 | 390 | 2025 |
| St. Louis, MO | $94,230 | 290 | 2025 |
| Naples, FL | $93,770 | 40 | 2025 |
| San Francisco, CA | $93,640 | 260 | 2025 |
| Boulder, CO | $91,420 | 40 | 2025 |
| Hartford, CT | $89,190 | 290 | 2025 |
| Bridgeport, CT | $87,880 | 70 | 2025 |
| Seattle, WA | $86,860 | 400 | 2025 |
| CT | $86,390 | 500 | 2025 |
| Boston, MA | $85,560 | 540 | 2025 |
| Virginia Beach, VA | $84,260 | 100 | 2025 |
| Waterbury, CT | $83,730 | 60 | 2025 |
| New Haven, CT | $83,200 | 40 | 2025 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $82,950 | 1,350 | 2025 |
| CA | $82,090 | 2,990 | 2025 |
| MA | $81,670 | 680 | 2025 |
| WA | $81,420 | 660 | 2025 |
| Burlington, VT | $81,170 | 50 | 2025 |
| San Diego, CA | $79,990 | 270 | 2025 |
Career transition paths
Compare the skills of a career you hold today with Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers to see shared skills, target-only skills and skill overlap.
Build a transition comparisonCareer and skills data: O*NET 31.0.
Salary and employment data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, 2025 (May 2025 release).
Figures are periodic published survey snapshots, not real-time market rates.