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CNC Tool Operator Salary by State (2026)
How much does a CNC Tool Operator make? The median CNC Tool Operator salary in the US is about $52,316 per year (roughly $25.00 an hour), across 169,400 jobs (Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators). But pay swings widely by state — the median ranges from $39,520 in Mississippi to $107,920 in Washington. Pick your state below for the full pay range and an estimated take-home after taxes.
Median CNC Tool Operator salary in every state
| State | Median salary | Jobs |
| Washington | $107,920 | 2,270 |
| Massachusetts | $61,630 | 2,500 |
| North Dakota | $60,250 | 250 |
| Connecticut | $59,840 | 2,740 |
| New Hampshire | $59,730 | 1,770 |
| Maine | $59,660 | 440 |
| Vermont | $57,500 | 1,190 |
| Rhode Island | $57,390 | 540 |
| Minnesota | $56,780 | 4,290 |
| Oregon | $56,670 | 2,920 |
| California | $56,510 | 21,680 |
| Colorado | $55,270 | 1,580 |
| Pennsylvania | $54,590 | 7,840 |
| Wyoming | $54,170 | 60 |
| New Jersey | $54,100 | 1,770 |
| Idaho | $53,340 | 480 |
| New York | $53,340 | 5,530 |
| Wisconsin | $52,690 | 8,330 |
| Alabama | $52,380 | 3,120 |
| Iowa | $52,300 | 4,750 |
| Montana | $51,880 | 240 |
| South Carolina | $51,800 | 2,460 |
| Missouri | $51,000 | 1,500 |
| South Dakota | $50,750 | 1,420 |
| North Carolina | $50,440 | 3,680 |
| Arkansas | $50,280 | 2,180 |
| Delaware | $50,010 | 170 |
| Tennessee | $49,980 | 1,980 |
| Louisiana | $49,800 | 670 |
| West Virginia | $49,630 | 160 |
| Virginia | $49,590 | 1,890 |
| Nebraska | $49,360 | 830 |
| Kentucky | $49,180 | 1,740 |
| Ohio | $49,160 | 21,250 |
| Arizona | $48,950 | 1,800 |
| Indiana | $48,590 | 9,690 |
| Texas | $48,480 | 13,190 |
| Illinois | $48,420 | 8,170 |
| Kansas | $48,400 | 2,540 |
| Oklahoma | $47,760 | 1,490 |
| Georgia | $47,630 | 2,200 |
| Michigan | $47,250 | 7,330 |
| Maryland | $46,870 | 1,800 |
| Nevada | $46,670 | 400 |
| Florida | $46,170 | 4,040 |
| Utah | $45,140 | 1,170 |
| New Mexico | $44,970 | 70 |
| Mississippi | $39,520 | 1,290 |
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a CNC Tool Operator make?
- A CNC Tool Operator makes a median of about $52,316 per year in the US (roughly $25.00 per hour), according to the latest BLS data. Pay ranges from $39,520 in Mississippi to $107,920 in Washington depending on the state.
- What is the average CNC Tool Operator salary in the US?
- The typical (employment-weighted median) CNC Tool Operator salary in the US is about $52,316 per year, based on the latest BLS data covering 169,400 jobs nationwide.
- Which state pays CNC Tool Operators the most?
- Washington has the highest median CNC Tool Operator salary at $107,920 per year. Remember that taxes and cost of living vary — a high gross salary can shrink after state taxes.
- Which state pays CNC Tool Operators the least?
- Mississippi has the lowest median at $39,520 per year. Lower-paying states often also have lower living costs and, in some cases, no state income tax.
Sources and methodology
All figures: BLS OEWS May 2025 (state file, released April 2026) (Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators, code 51-9161). “Typical pay” is the employment-weighted average of state medians. Take-home estimates on state pages use 2026 federal and verified state tax rules from our PaycheckTally engine.