Production · Holland code CRI
Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers
Develop programs to control machining or processing of materials by automatic machine tools, equipment, or systems. May also set up, operate, or maintain equipment.
Also called: CNC Machinist (Computer Numerical Control Machinist), CNC Operator (Computer Numerical Control Operator), CNC Programmer (Computer Numerical Control Programmer), Programmer, CAD Programmer (Computer-Aided Design Programmer), CAM Programmer (Computer-Aided Manufacturing Programmer), CNC Machine Operator (Computer Numerical Control Machine Operator), CNC Tech (Computer Numerical Control Technician).
O*NET 51-9162.00
At a glance
- US median annual pay
- $68,120
- Middle half earn $58,270 to $81,890. BLS OEWS, May 2025.
- Most common education
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)
- 33% of workers surveyed by O*NET report this level.
- Preparation needed
- Job Zone 2 of 5
- Some preparation. Zone 1 is little or none; zone 5 is graduate-level.
What the work involves
The tasks workers in this occupation rate as most important, from the O*NET survey.
- 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, tool selection, machine speeds, and feed rates.
- Observe machines on trial runs or conduct computer simulations to ensure that programs and machinery will function properly and produce items that meet specifications.
- Write programs in the language of a machine's controller and store programs on media, such as punch tapes, magnetic tapes, or disks.
- Determine reference points, machine cutting paths, or hole locations, and compute angular and linear dimensions, radii, and curvatures.
- Enter computer commands to store or retrieve parts patterns, graphic displays, or programs that transfer data to other media.
- Revise programs or tapes to eliminate errors, and retest programs to check that problems have been solved.
- Modify existing programs to enhance efficiency.
Skills and knowledge it leans on
Skills
- Monitoring3.5 / 5
- Mathematics3.1 / 5
- Reading Comprehension3.0 / 5
- Active Listening3.0 / 5
- Speaking3.0 / 5
- Critical Thinking3.0 / 5
Knowledge areas
- Production and Processing4.3 / 5
- Engineering and Technology4.1 / 5
- Mathematics4.0 / 5
- Design3.9 / 5
- Computers and Electronics3.8 / 5
- English Language3.6 / 5
Importance ratings on O*NET’s 1 to 5 scale. Higher means the occupation depends on it more.
Who tends to enjoy it
How strongly this occupation draws on each of the six Holland interest types, which is the same profile the career interests test compares you against.
- Realistic65
- Investigative44
- Artistic9
- Social8
- Enterprising11
- Conventional82
The same work abroad
Other countries classify jobs differently, so these are the closest matches through the international ISCO-08 standard, not exact equivalents.
European occupation titles (ESCO)
- tooling engineer · DE Werkzeugingenieur/Werkzeugingenieurin · FR ingénieur outillage/ingénieure outillage
- industrial tool design engineer · DE Entwicklungsingenieur Industriewerkzeug/Entwicklungsingenieurin Industriewerkzeug · FR ingénieur en mécanique industrielle/ingénieure en mécanique industrielle
- numerical tool and process control programmer · DE CNC-Programmierer/CNC-Programmiererin · FR programmeur en informatique industrielle/programmeuse en informatique industrielle
- machine operator supervisor · DE Maschinenfabrikaufsichtskraft · FR superviseur d’opérateurs sur machines/superviseuse d’opérateurs sur machines
- tool and die maker · DE Werkzeugbautechniker/Werkzeugbautechnikerin · FR ajusteur-outilleur/ajusteuse-outilleuse
- metal planer operator · DE Maschinenbediener für Hobelmeißel/Maschinenbedienerin für Hobelmeißel · FR raboteur / raboteuse
Closest UK occupation groups (SOC 2020)
- Tool makers, tool fitters and markers-out (5222)8,600 employed
- Skilled metal, electrical and electronic trades supervisors (5250)42,900 employed
- Metal machining setters and setter-operators (5221)40,400 employed
Employment is the UK Annual Population Survey for April 2025 to March 2026, all workers in the group, which can be broader than this one occupation.
Pay across Europe, for the whole group
Median annual earnings of all employees in “Craft and related trades workers”. This is the broad ISCO group this occupation falls in, not the occupation itself, so treat it as context for the wage level, not as a salary for this job.
| Country | Median pay |
|---|---|
| Belgium | €40,086 |
| Germany | €38,638 |
| Austria | €38,194 |
| Sweden | €37,856 |
| Netherlands | €37,077 |
| Ireland | €36,098 |
| France | €27,145 |
| Italy | €26,488 |
| Spain | €22,817 |
| Portugal | €11,142 |
| Poland | €10,099 |
Eurostat Structure of Earnings Survey, businesses with ten or more employees outside public administration, in euro and not adjusted for the cost of living. Reference years differ between sources: the US, Japan and Europe figures on this page come from different survey years, so compare them as rough levels, not to the euro or yen.
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