Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators

Median salary

$50,690

Average salary

$54,320

Employment

169,450

Projected growth

10.7% decline

Annual openings

13,500

Typical entry education

High school diploma or equivalent

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.

See full salary breakdown & percentiles →

Career Outlook

National employment outlook, 2024–2034.

Related work experience: None
On-the-job training: Moderate-term on-the-job training
Self-employed: 0.2%

Source: BLS Employment Projections — 2024-2034.

How Much Preparation Does This Take?

Job Zone 2 of 5

Job Zone 1-2: Very Little to Some Preparation Needed

Experience: Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience.
Education: Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
Job training: Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training.

Source: O*NET Job Zones.

Key Knowledge Areas

Subject-matter areas this occupation draws on most, per O*NET.

Mathematicsimportance 4.2/5
Production and Processingimportance 4.0/5
Mechanicalimportance 3.8/5
English Languageimportance 3.3/5
Engineering and Technologyimportance 3.3/5
Education and Trainingimportance 3.1/5
Designimportance 3.1/5
Administration and Managementimportance 3.0/5

Work Environment

What the day-to-day work setting is like, per O*NET.

Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets5.0/5
Importance of Being Exact or Accurate4.8/5
Spend Time Standing4.6/5
Time Pressure4.4/5
Exposed to Sounds, Noise Levels that are Distracting or Uncomfortable4.3/5
Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams4.2/5

Careers With Similar Skills

Occupations whose Transferable Skills profile most closely matches this one — a mathematical comparison, not observed data about people actually moving between these careers.

Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic90% skill match
Textile Cutting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders90% skill match
Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic90% skill match
Extruding and Drawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic90% skill match
Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic89% skill match
Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic89% skill match
Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians88% skill match
Rolling Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic88% skill match

Transferable Skills

Cross-functional skills this occupation draws on most, per O*NET — the kind that carry over to other careers.

Operations Monitoringimportance 4.1/5
Operation and Controlimportance 4.1/5
Quality Control Analysisimportance 3.4/5
Complex Problem Solvingimportance 3.1/5
Troubleshootingimportance 3.1/5
Equipment Maintenanceimportance 3.0/5
Repairingimportance 3.0/5
Judgment and Decision Makingimportance 3.0/5

Software & Technologies

Tools and software used in this occupation, per O*NET.

Hot Technologies

In-Demand Technologies

G-code

Other Software Used

1CadCam Unigraphics
BobCAD-CAM
CGTech Vericut CNC
CNC Consulting Machinists' Calculator
CNC Mastercam
Cadem CAPSMill
Cadem CAPSTurn
Cadem NCnet

Work Style

Personal work characteristics that matter most for this occupation, per O*NET.

Attention to Detail
Dependability
Cautiousness
Achievement Orientation
Stress Tolerance
Self-Confidence
Adaptability

Career Interests

This occupation’s RIASEC interest profile, per O*NET — how strongly it fits each of the six Holland interest types.

RealisticHigh
ConventionalHigh
InvestigativeLow
EnterprisingLow
ArtisticLow
SocialLow

This page includes information from the O*NET 30.3 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.

Where This Career Is Most Concentrated

Metro areas where computer numerically controlled tool operators make up the largest share of local employment, relative to the national average (BLS location quotient).