Trade hub · BLS OEWS May 2025
CNC Machinist
The short answer
CNC machinists earn a median $50,690 per year nationally, with the middle half between $44,930 and $61,760. Employment is projected to shrink -10.7% by 2034, with about 13,500 openings a year. State licensing requirements for this trade are being compiled and publish with sources per state.
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.
National wage distribution. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025 (SOC 51-9161)
Where the pay is
The gap between states is wide: Washington pays about 173% more than Mississippi at the median. Cost of living closes part of that gap. In licensed states the credential itself also travels differently across borders, which changes what a move is worth.
| State | Median /yr |
|---|---|
| Washington | $107,920 |
| Massachusetts | $61,630 |
| North Dakota | $60,250 |
| Connecticut | $59,840 |
| New Hampshire | $59,730 |
| ⋯ 38 states ⋯ | |
| Nevada | $46,670 |
| Florida | $46,170 |
| Utah | $45,140 |
| New Mexico | $44,970 |
| Mississippi | $39,520 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
Outlook to 2034
BLS projects employment moving from 177,100 in 2024 to 158,100 in 2034 (-10.7%). Typical entry-level education: high school diploma or equivalent. Annual openings run near 13,500. That figure counts both new positions and replacements for workers leaving the occupation, which is why it exceeds the growth number. The 2024 figure here is larger than the employment count in the summary above because these are two different BLS programs: the summary counts jobs surveyed at employers, while the projections program also counts the self-employed, and this trade has a lot of them.
Licensing
State licensing requirements for this trade are being compiled and publish with sources per state.
Price a credential with the license cost estimator, weigh training paths with the apprenticeship vs. school calculator, or set this trade against others in your state with the salary comparison.
Trades that pay similarly
Auto Mechanic at $50,620, Solar PV Installer at $53,140, Welder at $53,750, CDL Truck Driver at $58,640. Full list on the trades index.
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 (SOC 51-9161) and Employment Projections 2024–2034.
- O*NET 30.1 occupation description (U.S. Department of Labor).
How figures are computed: methodology