Production Occupations
BLS May 2025 wages Above-baseline growth SOC 51-9162

Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers

Projected +13% employment change leads this card; pay sits next to Power Distributors and Dispatchers, Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators, Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers, Model Makers, Metal and Plastic.

Full salary details → About this data

Same-major-group titles next to Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers: Power Distributors and Dispatchers ($107K) , Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators ($60K) , Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers ($63K) , Model Makers, Metal and Plastic ($63K) . Hash-ordered per card so residual SOC siblings do not share an identical peer sentence.

What Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers publish as work

O*NET task statements for SOC 51-9162 - occupation-level descriptions, not every employer's posting. Sibling cards diverge here because the task set is entity-keyed.

  1. 1. Determine the sequence of machine operations, and select the proper cutting tools needed to machine workpieces into the desired shapes
  2. 2. Analyze job orders, drawings, blueprints, specifications, printed circuit board pattern films, and design data to calculate dimensions, t…
  3. 3. Observe machines on trial runs or conduct computer simulations to ensure that programs and machinery will function properly and produce i…
  4. 4. Write programs in the language of a machine's controller and store programs on media, such as punch tapes, magnetic tapes, or disks
  5. 5. Determine reference points, machine cutting paths, or hole locations, and compute angular and linear dimensions, radii, and curvatures
  6. 6. Enter computer commands to store or retrieve parts patterns, graphic displays, or programs that transfer data to other media
  7. 7. Revise programs or tapes to eliminate errors, and retest programs to check that problems have been solved
  8. 8. Modify existing programs to enhance efficiency
  9. 9. Enter coordinates of hole locations into program memories by depressing pedals or buttons of programmers
  10. 10. Sort shop orders into groups to maximize materials utilization and minimize machine setup time
  11. 11. Compare encoded tapes or computer printouts with original part specifications and blueprints to verify accuracy of instructions
  12. 12. Prepare geometric layouts from graphic displays, using computer-assisted drafting software or drafting instruments and graph paper

O*NET skills and knowledge for Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers

Importance-ranked O*NET profile for SOC 51-9162 - entity-keyed; sibling cards diverge here even when peer titles overlap.

Top skills

  1. 1. Programming 3.8
  2. 2. Monitoring 3.5
  3. 3. Mathematics 3.1
  4. 4. Complex Problem Solving 3.1
  5. 5. Operations Monitoring 3.1
  6. 6. Systems Analysis 3.1
  7. 7. Reading Comprehension 3.0
  8. 8. Active Listening 3.0

Knowledge areas

  1. 1. Production and Processing 4.3
  2. 2. Engineering and Technology 4.1
  3. 3. Mathematics 4.0
  4. 4. Design 3.9
  5. 5. Computers and Electronics 3.8
  6. 6. English Language 3.6
Projected employment change 2024-2034
↑ +13%
much faster than average (3.1%)
National median $68,120/yr
$68K
National median
3,100
Annual openings
28,500
Estimated US jobs
Power Distributors and Dispatchers
Highest-pay peer · $107K

Typical Entry and Preparation Assignments

Entry education Postsecondary nondegree award

Top Paying States for Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers

1. Washington $81,420
2. Vermont $77,980
3. North Dakota $75,990
4. Kansas $76,080
5. Oregon $75,150
6. Massachusetts $81,670
7. Missouri $78,130
8. Connecticut $86,390
9. California $82,090
10. Arizona $74,450

Other Production Occupations titles

  1. 1. Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers $62,750
  2. 2. Model Makers, Metal and Plastic $63,340
  3. 3. Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators $60,020
  4. 4. Layout Workers, Metal and Plastic $63,870
  5. 5. Plant and System Operators, All Other $62,470
  6. 6. Power Distributors and Dispatchers $106,730

BLS projects +13% employment change for Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers (2024-2034), much faster than average vs the all-occupations baseline of 3.1%. Published median pay is $68,120.

BLS assigns Postsecondary nondegree award as typical entry education. These are occupation-level assignments, not universal employer rules. BLS does not publish a separate occupation-specific safety rate for this role; its broad SOC-group rate is excluded from this career card's grade.

Highest published state median in this ranking: Washington at $81,420. The table records differences without proving causes. Highest-pay peer shown here: Power Distributors and Dispatchers at $106,730. Compare the same statistic in the relevant local wage area before treating the national median as a personal benchmark; OEWS excludes employer benefits.

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Data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025. Projections from BLS Employment Projections program, 2024–2034.

Dive into Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers in more depth or explore nearby career data.

Full Salary Details

State, metro, and percentile breakdown

Jobs in Washington

Top-paying state for this role

Jobs in Vermont

Second-highest state pay

Power Distributors and Dispatchers

Highest-pay peer · $107K

Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators

Lower-pay peer · $60K

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Frequently Asked Questions

What do computer numerically controlled tool programmers do day to day? ▼
O*NET lists published task statements for Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers. Leading ones include: 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, t…; Observe machines on trial runs or conduct computer simulations to ensure that programs and machinery will function properly and produce i…; Write programs in the language of a machine's controller and store programs on media, such as punch tapes, magnetic tapes, or disks. These are occupation-level task descriptions, not every employer's job description.
Which O*NET skills rank highest for computer numerically controlled tool programmers? ▼
For SOC 51-9162, O*NET importance scores lead with Programming (3.8), Monitoring (3.5), Mathematics (3.1), Complex Problem Solving (3.1). Knowledge areas emphasize Production and Processing, Engineering and Technology, Mathematics. These are occupation-level profiles, not a hiring checklist for every employer.
How does Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers sit next to other Production Occupations titles? ▼
On this card, neighboring same-major-group titles include Power Distributors and Dispatchers, Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators, Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers, Model Makers, Metal and Plastic. Among those peers, Power Distributors and Dispatchers holds the highest published national median ($106,730). Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators sits lower at $60,020. Peer titles are hash-ordered per card so adjacent SOC pages do not share an identical ladder.
What is the median salary for Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers? ▼
The median salary for Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers is $68,120 per year according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025 OEWS data). This means half of workers in this occupation earn more and half earn less. The full range is $47,530 (10th percentile) to $100,320 (90th percentile). For context beside Power Distributors and Dispatchers ($106,730), this role's median is the OEWS national figure above.
Is Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers a growing occupation? ▼
The BLS projects +13% employment change for Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers from 2024 to 2034. There are approximately 3,100 projected annual openings. This is much faster than average relative to the current all-occupations baseline of 3.1%.
What education do you need to become a computer numerically controlled tool programmers? ▼
BLS assigns Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers to Postsecondary nondegree award for typical education needed for entry. These occupation-level categories are not requirements for every employer or worker.
Which states pay computer numerically controlled tool programmers the most? ▼
The highest published state medians in this ranking for Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers are Washington ($81,420), Vermont ($77,980), North Dakota ($75,990). The table does not identify why state estimates differ.

Source data and WageDex calculations are identified in context on this page. Wage and state figures use BLS OEWS May 2025; growth and education use BLS Employment Projections for 2024–2034; safety fields cite BLS CFOI/SOII; task statements cite O*NET where shown. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.

Disclaimer: Wage and outlook figures on this page are provided for informational purposes only and do not constitute career, financial, or salary-negotiation advice. Actual pay varies by employer, experience, and local conditions; consult a career counselor or the hiring employer for guidance specific to your situation.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OES Occupational wage estimates by area and industry · 2025

All federal data sources used on this page
  • BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS / OES) - wage estimates by area + occupation. bls.gov/oes
  • O*NET OnLine - occupation task statements (importance-ranked). onetcenter.org
  • BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW) - quarterly employment and wage totals by industry. bls.gov/cew
  • U.S. Census Bureau ACS - demographic and labor-force context for metro/state aggregates. census.gov/programs-surveys/acs
  • BLS Current Employment Statistics (CES) - monthly nonfarm payroll baselines. bls.gov/ces
  • IRS Statistics of Income (SOI) - payroll-tax aggregate context. irs.gov/statistics
  • BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS) - unemployment context for labor-market comparisons. bls.gov/lau