# Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators

> 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.

- Edition: Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition
- Page: https://www.collegesref.com/careers/computer-numerically-controlled-tool-operators
- SOC code: 51-9161.00
- Career family: Production
- Median annual pay: $50,690 (10th percentile $38,140, 90th percentile $73,890)
- Projected growth: Decline, -9.4%
- Openings a year: 12,500
- Typical entry education: High school diploma
- Bright outlook: no
- Data years: BLS 2025 wages · 2025–35 projections

## Interest profile (code RCI)

| Interest area | Score (0–100) |
| --- | ---: |
| Realistic (R) | 91 |
| Investigative (I) | 31 |
| Artistic (A) | 3 |
| Social (S) | 0 |
| Enterprising (E) | 6 |
| Conventional (C) | 73 |

## What you'd do

- Controlling Machines and Processes (importance 90/100)
- Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials (importance 82/100)
- Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings (importance 77/100)
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events (importance 75/100)
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates (importance 71/100)
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems (importance 71/100)
- Getting Information (importance 71/100)
- Handling and Moving Objects (importance 71/100)
- Working with Computers (importance 70/100)
- Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards (importance 69/100)

## Skills

Operation and Control, Operations Monitoring, Critical Thinking, Monitoring, Quality Control Analysis, Active Listening, Complex Problem Solving, Troubleshooting, Equipment Maintenance, Judgment and Decision Making

## Knowledge

Mathematics, Production and Processing, Mechanical, English Language, Engineering and Technology, Education and Training, Design, Administration and Management, Computers and Electronics, Physics

## Also called

Aircraft Metals Technician, Automated Cutting Machine Operator, Automated Equipment Operator, Automation Machine Operator, CNC Gear Operator (Computer Numerical Control Gear Operator), CNC Laser Operator (Computer Numerical Control Laser Operator), CNC Lathe Operator (Computer Numerical Control Lathe Operator), CNC Lathe Operator (Computer Numerically Controlled Lathe Operator), CNC Machine Operator (Computer Numerical Control Machine Operator), CNC Machine Operator (Computer Numerically Controlled Machine Operator)

## Majors that lead here (NCES CIP–SOC crosswalk, 4-digit CIP)

- [Precision Metal Working](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/4805) (CIP 4805, 746 colleges)

## Colleges with strong outcomes (College Scorecard, 2025)

| College | Program | Earnings 1 yr | Earnings 4 yrs | Median debt |
| --- | --- | ---: | ---: | ---: |
| [Ferris State University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/ferris-state-university-949) | Precision Metal Working | not reported | $86,941 | $12,000 |
| [Del Mar College](https://www.collegesref.com/college/del-mar-college-782) | Precision Metal Working | $41,304 | $79,303 | not reported |
| [Hennepin Technical College](https://www.collegesref.com/college/hennepin-technical-college-1182) | Precision Metal Working | $68,632 | $76,020 | $11,033 |
| [Des Moines Area Community College](https://www.collegesref.com/college/des-moines-area-community-college-797) | Precision Metal Working | $65,355 | $75,145 | not reported |
| [Ivy Tech Community College](https://www.collegesref.com/college/ivy-tech-community-college-1314) | Precision Metal Working | $69,427 | $75,002 | $5,900 |
| [Dunwoody College of Technology](https://www.collegesref.com/college/dunwoody-college-of-technology-838) | Precision Metal Working | $60,388 | $70,886 | $12,000 |
| [Pennsylvania College of Technology](https://www.collegesref.com/college/pennsylvania-college-of-technology-2096) | Precision Metal Working | $63,054 | $70,298 | $19,500 |
| [Austin Community College District](https://www.collegesref.com/college/austin-community-college-district-152) | Precision Metal Working | $46,036 | $69,185 | not reported |

## Related careers

- [Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/milling-and-planing-machine-setters-operators-and-tenders-metal-and-plastic): $52,800 median pay
- [Machinists](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/machinists): $58,750 median pay
- [Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/lathe-and-turning-machine-tool-setters-operators-and-tenders-metal-and-plastic): $50,620 median pay
- [Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/multiple-machine-tool-setters-operators-and-tenders-metal-and-plastic): $47,180 median pay
- [Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/computer-numerically-controlled-tool-programmers): $68,120 median pay
- [Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/grinding-lapping-polishing-and-buffing-machine-tool-setters-operators-and-tenders-metal): $46,550 median pay

## Sources

- [O*NET Database](https://www.onetcenter.org/database.html), version 31.0 (CC BY 4.0)
- [BLS Employment Projections](https://www.bls.gov/emp/tables.htm), version 2025-35, data year 2025 (Public domain (U.S. government work))
- [BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics](https://www.bls.gov/oes/tables.htm), version 2025, data year 2025 (Public domain (U.S. government work))
- [NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk](https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/cipcode/resources.aspx?y=56), version 2020, data year 2020 (Public domain (U.S. government work))

O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. CollegesRef has modified all or some of this information.