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Ever wonder if there were a way to program a computer to make just about any part or product you wanted? With computer numerical control (CNC) machines, this is possible.
CNC machinists work with CNC machinery to produce parts and tools from metal, plastic and other materials. They adjust the machines to control speed, material and path of the cut, while ensuring the machines are set up correctly, running smoothly and creating parts that meet the required specifications.
Today’s machinists support a variety of industries, including transportation, aerospace, electronics and medical, just to name a few. They create everything from medical device implants for human bodies to tiny, intricately designed parts that power machines.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports the median annual salary for computer numerically controlled tool operators in the United States was $46,760 in May 2022.34 This means half of CNC machinists earned more and half earned less. Keep in mind that salary depends on several factors, including experience, employer, demand and cost of living in the area.
If you’re wondering how much CNC machinists earn, you’ve come to the right place. Here's a look at average CNC machinist salary ranking rankings reported in May 2021 according to the BLS, which has data for all but Alaska, Hawaii and the District of Columbia.
Aerospace, agriculture, food manufacturing, defense, maritime, life science, global health, information and communications technology, and forestry are all industries in the state of Washington that need CNC machinists. One of Washington leadership’s top priorities is to drive clean technology innovation. For CNC machinists interested in making a positive environmental impact with their work, Washington state is a great option to consider.
While Vermont may be the sixth-smallest state in the U.S., it offers great opportunities for CNC machinists. Some of the top industries in Vermont include agriculture, manufacturing and mining, which all rely on the skills of machinists. Vermont has a long history as a precision manufacturing hub, dating to the Industrial Revolution. In fact, the town of Springfield was once part of an area known as “Precision Valley.” Today, Vermont uses some of the most modern techniques and equipment to create parts for precision machining, medical device segments and more.
According to U.S. News & World Report, prominent industries in Massachusetts are education, health services, manufacturing and technology. Massachusetts has become a significant manufacturer of electronic and computer products, which CNC machinists may create. There is also a great concentration of technology businesses, which rely on machinists to create core components for products and machinery.
Connecticut offers a wide variety of opportunities for trained CNC machinists. Among the state’s top industries is large-scale manufacturing, as those companies benefit from the state’s central location in the Northeast. This allows manufacturers to easily reach suppliers and customers throughout the U.S. and east coast of Canada. CNC machinists here may create anything from medical devices to parts for submarines.
In case beaches, golfing and historic districts aren’t enticing, South Carolina is also a leader in the CNC industry. According to the South Carolina government site, agriculture, automotive and advanced manufacturing are top industries in the state — all industries relevant to a CNC machinist.
Minnesota offers many opportunities for CNC machinists. Products in the state are manufactured for industries that include aerospace, farming, HVAC, food production and medical, which includes biopharmaceuticals and medical device production.
Manufacturing is the leading industry in Wisconsin, contributing to 18.79% of the total output of the state. Top products manufactured by Wisconsin include food, beverage and tobacco, machinery, and fabricated metal. The state also manufactures parts for computer and electronic products, transportation, and the aerospace industries. If you’re looking for a state where you can explore a variety of different avenues as a machinist, this may be the perfect place.
Maryland’s state government promotes a business-friendly culture supporting top industries like IT and cybersecurity, advanced manufacturing, defense and federal, life sciences, aerospace and defense, bio-health, energy and sustainability, and agribusiness. All these industries rely on perfectly working machinery to operate. CNC machinists may create small parts for machines powering these industries or products they sell.
New Hampshire, New Jersey and Rhode Island offer the same average median annual salary. Here’s some info about each state:
Maine, Wyoming and Montana all tie for 10th place for the median annual salary for CNC machinists in 2021. Here’s a little info about each state:
If you aspire to work in a competitive field with job opportunities around the country, CNC machining may be for you. In this industry, you can combine a love of computers and technology with hands-on work that is always producing something new.
A CNC machinist training program, like the one offered at NASCAR Technical Institute, can help you forge a career as a CNC machinist.1 To learn more about this 36-week program, visit our program page and request information to get in touch with one of our Admissions Representatives.
What does a CNC machinist do? Click here to learn all about this profession, including salary, day-to-day responsibilities and more.
Do you love working with your hands and computers? Maybe you should think about a career as a CNC machinist.
NASCAR Tech grad Wyatt Pearson is living his dream as a CNC operator for Compaero Inc. Read his inspiring story here.
1) UTI is an educational institution and cannot guarantee employment or salary.
2) For program outcome information and other disclosures, visit www.uti.edu/disclosures.
34) UTI’s CNC Machining Technology Program prepares graduates for entry-level positions using the provided training, primarily as CNC machinists. Estimated annual salary shown above is for Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators as published in the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ May 2022 Occupational Employment and Wages. Entry-level salaries are lower for UTI graduates. UTI is an educational institution and cannot guarantee employment or salary. UTI graduates’ achievements may vary. Individual circumstances and wages depend on economic factors, personal credentials, work experience, industry certifications, the location of the employer, and their compensation programs. Some UTI graduates get jobs within their field of study in positions other than as a CNC technician, such as CNC operator, apprentice machinist, and machined parts inspector. Salary information for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts: The average annual entry-level salary for persons employed as Computer-Controlled Machine Tool Operators, Metal and Plastic (51-4011) in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is $35,140 (Massachusetts Labor and Workforce Development, May 2020 data https://lmi.dua.eol.mass.gov/lmi/OccupationalEmploymentAndWageSpecificOccupations#). Salary information for North Carolina: The U.S. Department of Labor estimates the hourly median wage for skilled CNC machinists in North Carolina is $22.01 (Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, May 2022 Occupational Employment and Wages, Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators). The Bureau of Labor Statistics does not publish entry-level salary data. However, the 25th and 10th percentile of hourly earnings in North Carolina are $17.28 and $14.82, respectively.
Universal Technical Institute of Illinois, Inc. is approved by the Division of Private Business and Vocational Schools of the Illinois Board of Higher Education.
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