Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators: Salary, Job Outlook & How to Become One (2026 Parent Guide)
Production · SOC 51-9161 · O*NET 51-9161.00
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.
Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators fall under the Production category in the U.S. occupational classification. Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators earn a median salary of $49,970 per year, ranking in the top 62% of all U.S. occupations. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects -10.7% job growth through 2034, projected to lose jobs through 2034. Entry into this field typically requires an apprenticeship, technical certification, or postsecondary training, with specific licensing or certification depending on the state and employer. For parents whose teenager is exploring this path, the most actionable step is mapping the education requirements to specific colleges and majors before junior year — not waiting until application season.
What do computer numerically controlled tool operators earn?
The median annual wage for computer numerically controlled tool operators is $49,970. That puts computer numerically controlled tool operators at #502 on the BLS ranked list of all U.S. occupations by median pay. This salary is around or below the U.S. median for individual workers, so career growth often depends on advancement into supervisory roles, specialization, or additional credentials. Actual pay varies meaningfully by state, employer type, and years of experience — entry-level salaries are typically 30–40% below the median, while top-decile earners often exceed it by 50% or more.
| 10th percentile (entry-level) | $37,160 |
| 25th percentile | $42,710 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $49,970 |
| 75th percentile | $60,980 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $71,160 |
| Median hourly wage | $24.02/hr |
Is computer numerically controlled tool operators a growing career?
The 10-year outlook for computer numerically controlled tool operators is -10.7%, projected to lose jobs through 2034. Employment is projected to move from approximately 177K positions in 2024 to 158K in 2034, a net change of -19K. A declining outlook does not mean the field is disappearing; it means automation, demographics, or substitution effects are shrinking the pool of openings. Students entering a declining field should plan for adjacent skills that transfer to growing roles.
What do computer numerically controlled tool operators do every day?
According to O*NET task surveys of working computer numerically controlled tool operators, these are the core responsibilities most professionals perform. This is what your teen would actually be doing in this role.
- 1.Measure dimensions of finished workpieces to ensure conformance to specifications, using precision measuring instruments, templates, and fixtures.
- 2.Mount, install, align, and secure tools, attachments, fixtures, and workpieces on machines, using hand tools and precision measuring instruments.
- 3.Lift workpieces to machines manually or with hoists or cranes.
- 4.Remove and replace dull cutting tools.
- 5.Check to ensure that workpieces are properly lubricated and cooled during machine operation.
- 6.Adjust machine feed and speed, change cutting tools, or adjust machine controls when automatic programming is faulty or if machines malfunction.
- 7.Insert control instructions into machine control units to start operation.
- 8.Input initial part dimensions into machine control panels.
Top skills for computer numerically controlled tool operators
O*NET ranks these as the most important skills for this occupation, on a 1–5 importance scale derived from worker surveys.
What education does my child need to become computer numerically controlled tool operator?
Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators typically enter the field through a formal apprenticeship, technical certification, or vocational training program — a strong fit for teens who prefer hands-on learning over traditional college. For parents helping a teen prepare, the highest-leverage step before junior year is identifying colleges and programs that feed reliably into this occupation — Solyo's college search lets parents filter by major and admissions data side by side.
Based on O*NET surveys of incumbents — what people in this job actually have, not what employers list as required.
Related careers your child might also consider
How parents help teens explore careers like this
Solyo helps parents map a teen's interests to specific careers, then back to the colleges and majors that lead there. Salary, outlook, and education data come from BLS and O*NET — the same sources high school counselors use — but presented for the parent's planning lens, not the student's exploration view.
Common questions parents ask about computer numerically controlled tool operators
What is the median salary for computer numerically controlled tool operators?
The median annual salary for computer numerically controlled tool operators is $49,970 according to the latest Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Is computer numerically controlled tool operators a growing career?
BLS projects -10.7% growth for computer numerically controlled tool operators from 2024 through 2034, which is declining growth projected to lose jobs through 2034.
What education does my child need to become computer numerically controlled tool operator?
The typical entry path requires an apprenticeship, technical certification, or postsecondary training, plus any state licensure or certification specific to the role. Programs that align well with this career can be filtered inside Solyo's college search.
What careers are similar to computer numerically controlled tool operators?
Related occupations within the Production category share education paths and skill profiles, so they're a useful starting set when a teen is uncertain. The "Related careers" section below lists nearby options.
Salary data sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment Statistics program. Skills, tasks, and education distribution from the O*NET database. Job outlook from the BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034 release.