CNC Machine Operators
Impact: Product manufacturing, Quality assurance
Operate computer-controlled machines to perform precise manufacturing tasks, including cutting, drilling, shaping, and finishing parts for various industries.
What the day looks like
- People interaction
- Minimal
- Team vs solo
- 30% Team / 70% Solo
- Client facing
- Rarely
- Impact visibility
- High
- Travel
- Minimal
- Schedule flexibility
- Structured
- Remote work
- On-site Only
- Typical work hours
- 40 hours/week
- Stress level
- Moderate
At a glance
- Median salary
- $45,000
- Entry-level
- $35,000
- Senior
- $65,000
- Growth by 2033
- 4% (as fast as average)
- Demand
- Stable
- Freelance potential
- Low
- Salary growth potential
- Moderate to 85% growth from entry to senior
- Typical student debt
- Minimal
Skills you'll use
Hard skills
- CNC Programming
- Blueprint Reading
- G-Code
- Machine Operation
- Quality Control
- CAD/CAM Software
Soft skills
- Attention to Detail
- Problem-Solving
- Mechanical Aptitude
- Time Management
- Safety Consciousness
Technical complexity: High
How to get there
- Minimum education
- High School Diploma
- Licensing
- No
- Years to mid-career
- 3-5 years
- Years to senior
- 7-10 years
- Career switching
- Moderate
Where this career leads
How people arrive here
Where you can go from here
Typical progression
- CNC Operator
- CNC Programmer
- Manufacturing Engineer
Future outlook
- Automation probability
- 60% to moderate risk due to repetitive tasks, but human oversight remains crucial
- AI disruption risk
- Moderate
- Demand trend
- Stable
How people feel about it
- Overall satisfaction
- 3.2/10
- Meaning
- 3/10
- Work-life balance
- 3.5/10
- Prestige
- 5.5/10
- Social perception
- Moderate