CNC Machinist Salary By State: Salary by State (Hourly + Annual)
Trade Industry Insights / CNC Machinist Salary By State
Quick Answer: How Much Do Machinists & CNC Operators Make?
Machinist and CNC pay varies by state, industry (job shop vs production vs aerospace/medical), and whether you can do setup and inspection—not just run parts. The biggest pay jumps usually come from holding tight tolerances, preventing scrap, and troubleshooting safely.
This page shows hourly and annual estimates by state so you can compare typical CNC/machinist pay where you live. Use the top 10 chart for quick context, then the full table to compare your state against nearby markets.
- Biggest pay drivers: setup ability, blueprint reading, offsets/tooling, metrology, and process troubleshooting.
- Where pay is often highest: precision industries and regions with aerospace, defense, medical, and complex machining demand.
- Reality check: “operator” vs “setup” vs “programmer” can be a totally different pay tier in the same building.
- Best next step: Jump to Machinist Salaries by State and compare your state to the top 10.
- Want the full career path? How to Become a Machinist
CNC Salaries by State
CNC pay can vary a lot depending on where you live. Use this state-by-state breakdown to compare average hourly wage, weekly pay, monthly income, and annual salary for cncs across the United States.
Salary estimates are based on aggregated data from publicly available wage sources, including state-level labor datasets, employer-reported estimates, and trade industry compensation data. Primary sources include the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), State Labor Departments, and union wage scales and collective bargaining agreements (where available). Data reflects the most recently available wage releases at the time of publication.
How these CNC salary estimates are calculated: Hourly wage figures are based on the most recent U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics for the trade, supplemented with state labor department wage data and published union wage scales where available. Weekly pay assumes a standard 40-hour work week. Annual salary estimates are calculated using 2,080 work hours per year, and monthly pay is derived by dividing the annual estimate by 12. These figures represent typical earnings and may vary based on experience level, system specialization, overtime, seasonality, and regional demand.
Top 10 Highest Paying States for CNCs (Hourly)
Complete CNC Salary Table by State
| State | Hourly Wage | Weekly Pay | Monthly Pay | Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $27.78 | $1,111 | $4,815 | $57,782 |
| New York | $26.87 | $1,075 | $4,658 | $55,890 |
| Massachusetts | $26.82 | $1,073 | $4,649 | $55,786 |
| Alaska | $26.46 | $1,058 | $4,586 | $55,037 |
| Vermont | $26.14 | $1,046 | $4,531 | $54,371 |
| North Dakota | $26.02 | $1,041 | $4,510 | $54,122 |
| Oregon | $26 | $1,040 | $4,507 | $54,080 |
| Colorado | $25.86 | $1,034 | $4,482 | $53,789 |
| Hawaii | $25.57 | $1,023 | $4,432 | $53,186 |
| Nevada | $25.08 | $1,003 | $4,347 | $52,166 |
| New Jersey | $25.01 | $1,000 | $4,335 | $52,021 |
| Wisconsin | $24.87 | $995 | $4,311 | $51,730 |
| Pennsylvania | $24.70 | $988 | $4,281 | $51,376 |
| Delaware | $24.67 | $987 | $4,276 | $51,314 |
| South Dakota | $24.65 | $986 | $4,273 | $51,272 |
| Virginia | $24.44 | $978 | $4,236 | $50,835 |
| California | $24.34 | $974 | $4,219 | $50,627 |
| Minnesota | $24.16 | $967 | $4,188 | $50,253 |
| Rhode Island | $24.16 | $967 | $4,188 | $50,253 |
| New Hampshire | $24 | $960 | $4,160 | $49,920 |
| Maryland | $23.95 | $958 | $4,151 | $49,816 |
| New Mexico | $23.91 | $957 | $4,144 | $49,733 |
| Illinois | $23.91 | $957 | $4,144 | $49,733 |
| Maine | $23.89 | $955 | $4,141 | $49,691 |
| Wyoming | $23.73 | $949 | $4,113 | $49,358 |
| Nebraska | $23.54 | $941 | $4,080 | $48,963 |
| Indiana | $23.50 | $940 | $4,073 | $48,880 |
| Connecticut | $23.49 | $939 | $4,072 | $48,859 |
| Ohio | $23.48 | $939 | $4,068 | $48,818 |
| Mississippi | $23.39 | $937 | $4,058 | $48,691 |
| Idaho | $23.25 | $930 | $4,030 | $48,360 |
| Iowa | $23.21 | $929 | $4,023 | $48,277 |
| Missouri | $23.18 | $927 | $4,018 | $48,214 |
| Arizona | $23.04 | $922 | $3,994 | $47,923 |
| Texas | $23.03 | $921 | $3,992 | $47,902 |
| South Carolina | $22.94 | $918 | $3,976 | $47,715 |
| Oklahoma | $22.83 | $913 | $3,959 | $47,506 |
| Montana | $22.70 | $908 | $3,935 | $47,216 |
| Utah | $22.53 | $901 | $3,905 | $46,862 |
| North Carolina | $22.49 | $899 | $3,897 | $46,759 |
| Tennessee | $22.46 | $898 | $3,891 | $46,696 |
| Alabama | $22.43 | $897 | $3,886 | $46,634 |
| Kansas | $22.09 | $884 | $3,829 | $45,947 |
| Michigan | $21.61 | $864 | $3,746 | $44,949 |
| Kentucky | $21.54 | $861 | $3,732 | $44,787 |
| Louisiana | $21.22 | $849 | $3,678 | $44,138 |
| Georgia | $20.97 | $838 | $3,632 | $43,578 |
| Arkansas | $20.55 | $822 | $3,562 | $42,744 |
| West Virginia | $19.31 | $772 | $3,347 | $40,165 |
| Florida | $18.67 | $747 | $3,236 | $38,834 |
What to Do Next
- Use the step-by-step training and career guide: How to Become a CNC Machinist
- Compare shop environments, benefits, and pay structures: CNC Machinist Union vs Non-Union Jobs
- Explore programs and apprenticeships near you: Trade Schools & Apprenticeships Near Me
