Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmer Job Outlook
The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects employment of computer numerically controlled tool programmers to grow 5.9% from 2025 to 2035 (about 1,700 more jobs), with about 2,700 openings a year, and the May 2025 median pay of $68,120 a year ranks 329th of 825 occupations.
- Projected change
- +5.9%
- Openings a year
- 2,700
- Median pay
- $68,120
- Pay rank
- 329th of 825
Is employment of computer numerically controlled tool programmers growing or shrinking?
Growing: BLS projects employment of computer numerically controlled tool programmers to rise 5.9% (about 1,700 more jobs) from 2025 to 2035, faster than the 3.5% projected across all occupations. That is faster than the -0.4% summed from BLS's employment levels across the 105 production occupations with a projection. That change ranks 170th of 830 projected occupations.
| Measure | Figure |
|---|---|
| Employment, 2025 | 28,600 |
| Employment, 2035 | 30,300 |
| Projected change | +5.9% |
| Openings a year | 2,700 |
Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2025 to 2035. A projection is a BLS estimate, not a count. The 28,600 jobs here differ from the 28,500 on the salary page because Employment Projections also counts the self-employed and a wider set of workers, while OEWS counts wage and salary jobs in May 2025. BLS published these projections on August 27, 2026; checked November 10, 2026. Confirm any figure in the BLS Employment Projections tables.
BLS's reasons for this projection are at the Occupational Outlook Handbook. State projections are at Projections Central; projections by industry are left to BLS. Education, licensing and work context at O*NET.
How many job openings are there each year?
About 2,700 openings a year, from job growth and from workers leaving the occupation, the 495th most of 830 occupations. About 94% of them replace workers who change occupations or leave the labor force; the rest come from the 170 jobs added in an average year.
Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2025 to 2035.
How does pay for computer numerically controlled tool programmers rank?
The median of $68,120 a year ranks 329th of 825 occupations with a published median. It sits in the upper half of occupations on pay and the lower half on openings.
Source: BLS OEWS national file, May 2025. Wage and salary jobs only; the self-employed are not counted. OEWS pay excludes overtime, shift differentials and non-production bonuses. Ranks count only the occupations with that published figure: 830 for projected change, 830 for openings, 825 for median pay, which is why the totals differ.
What does it take to start?
- Typical entry-level education: postsecondary nondegree award.
- Typical on-the-job training: moderate-term on-the-job training.
Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2025 to 2035, education and training assignments.
How do related jobs compare on outlook?
| Occupation | Change | Openings a year | Median pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators | -9.4% | 12,500 | $50,690 |
| Machinists | +1.0% | 26,100 | $58,750 |
| Model Makers, Metal and Plastic | -17.3% | 200 | $63,340 |
| Patternmakers, Metal and Plastic | -22.8% | 100 | $58,000 |
| Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | -13.2% | 1,000 | $52,800 |
| Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | -11.3% | 1,400 | $50,620 |
| Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | +0.6% | 11,600 | $47,180 |
| Engine and Other Machine Assemblers | -17.0% | 2,100 | $53,710 |
Related occupations from O*NET; projections from BLS Employment Projections, 2025 to 2035; pay from BLS OEWS, May 2025.