Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers
Also called: CNC Machinist (Computer Numerical Control Machinist), CNC Operator (Computer Numerical Control Operator), CNC Programmer (Computer Numerical Control Programmer), ProgrammerDevelop programs to control machining or processing of materials by automatic machine tools, equipment, or systems. May also set up, operate, or maintain equipment.
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What the data says: AI could halve the time on 11 of its 15 rated tasks, yet jobs are projected to grow 5.9% by 2035. In the most exposed occupations, the squeeze shows up first among early-career workers. How to think about this →
About this projection
BLS builds AI into its projections where the research supports it: “BLS generally applies adjustments based on this research conservatively, where there is convincing evidence for a change.”
It also notes a limit: “BLS projection methods are not designed to capture extremely rapid technological change.”
On its AI exposure groups, BLS says exposure “does not imply job loss.”
Recent conditions
- In 2024, 5.3% of people in this work were unemployed, against 3.8% across all occupations Census ACS 2024, all workers in the Census group “Other production workers”
- From Sep 2025 to Aug 2026, 5.4 hires for every 10 job openings in durable goods manufacturing, which employs about 83% of people in this work, against 7.3 across all industries BLS JOLTS
One box per opening, filled for each hire; hires beyond the openings are added in a lighter shade. Higher can mean openings get filled, or that people leave often; lower, that jobs go unfilled, or hiring is slow.5.4 this industry7.3 all industries
Median pay by state BLS OEWS May 2025, state estimates
Tap a state for its figures.
Median pay in every state
| State | Median | Middle half earn | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $64,590 | $50,220 to $78,920 | 420 |
| Arizona | $74,450 | $57,920 to $81,660 | 470 |
| Arkansas | $56,390 | $50,460 to $63,650 | 210 |
| California | $82,090 | $66,440 to $102,980 | 2,990 |
| Colorado | $69,570 | $58,240 to $87,470 | 410 |
| Connecticut | $86,390 | $67,490 to $101,500 | 500 |
| Florida | $63,970 | $50,790 to $77,720 | 770 |
| Georgia | $61,360 | $56,050 to $74,880 | 420 |
| Idaho | $63,560 | $53,060 to $72,530 | 120 |
| Illinois | $68,830 | $61,110 to $80,110 | 1,070 |
| Indiana | $63,200 | $51,630 to $76,440 | 1,490 |
| Iowa | $57,780 | $49,650 to $67,510 | 640 |
| Kansas | $76,080 | $62,320 to $105,430 | 680 |
| Kentucky | $64,980 | $57,400 to $75,340 | 230 |
| Maine | $72,920 | $64,900 to $77,550 | 50 |
| Maryland | $65,670 | $50,550 to $78,840 | 200 |
| Massachusetts | $81,670 | $67,970 to $94,090 | 680 |
| Michigan | $64,640 | $58,890 to $76,720 | 2,300 |
| Minnesota | $74,190 | $63,740 to $81,820 | 1,250 |
| Mississippi | $50,190 | $44,970 to $57,710 | 140 |
| Missouri | $78,130 | $57,060 to $106,990 | 430 |
| Montana | $70,860 | $59,760 to $81,810 | 60 |
| Nebraska | $63,190 | $52,800 to $68,730 | 70 |
| Nevada | $57,210 | $44,110 to $74,990 | 130 |
| New Hampshire | $71,680 | $62,660 to $87,250 | 290 |
| New Jersey | $70,460 | $60,660 to $79,680 | 520 |
| New York | $68,730 | $59,450 to $81,790 | 1,140 |
| North Carolina | $63,990 | $53,040 to $78,090 | 760 |
| North Dakota | $75,990 | $65,990 to $82,030 | 40 |
| Ohio | $60,080 | $46,020 to $72,430 | 2,370 |
| Oklahoma | $65,590 | $55,730 to $81,970 | 330 |
| Oregon | $75,150 | $63,890 to $87,560 | 500 |
| Pennsylvania | $66,330 | $58,600 to $75,200 | 1,080 |
| Rhode Island | $62,640 | $58,250 to $71,010 | 70 |
| South Carolina | $69,470 | $60,270 to $84,480 | 340 |
| South Dakota | $66,650 | $55,070 to $79,360 | 80 |
| Tennessee | $69,700 | $60,770 to $78,740 | 330 |
| Texas | $69,550 | $58,230 to $81,210 | 1,930 |
| Utah | $65,610 | $58,180 to $83,580 | 150 |
| Vermont | $77,980 | $64,030 to $99,480 | 140 |
| Virginia | $74,390 | $58,570 to $87,020 | 330 |
| Washington | $81,420 | $73,570 to $96,380 | 660 |
| Wisconsin | $67,460 | $62,400 to $72,550 | 1,610 |
Nationally: $68,120. Shades run from the lowest state median to the highest; a territory below that range takes the lightest. How to read this
How AI touches the work
What AI could speed up, task by task, and where people already use it.
AI could halve the time on 11 of its 15 rated tasks
| AI rating | Its main tasks | Share of Claude conversations May 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Not much | Observe machines on trial runs or conduct computer simulations to ensure that programs and machinery will function properly and produce items that meet specifications. | Not published |
| AI + software | Analyze job orders, drawings, blueprints, specifications, printed circuit board pattern films, and design data to calculate dimensions, tool selection, machine speeds, and feed rates. | Not published |
| AI + software | Determine the sequence of machine operations, and select the proper cutting tools needed to machine workpieces into the desired shapes. | Not published |
| AI + software | Enter computer commands to store or retrieve parts patterns, graphic displays, or programs that transfer data to other media. | under 0.01% |
| AI + software | Revise programs or tapes to eliminate errors, and retest programs to check that problems have been solved. | Not published |
| AI + software | Modify existing programs to enhance efficiency. | Not published |
See all 16 tasks
| AI + software | Write programs in the language of a machine's controller and store programs on media, such as punch tapes, magnetic tapes, or disks. | Not published |
| Not much | Determine reference points, machine cutting paths, or hole locations, and compute angular and linear dimensions, radii, and curvatures. | Not published |
| AI + software | Prepare geometric layouts from graphic displays, using computer-assisted drafting software or drafting instruments and graph paper. | 0.01% |
| Not rated | Order tooling for jobs. | Not published |
| Not much | Perform preventative maintenance or minor repairs on machines. | Not published |
| AI + software | Enter coordinates of hole locations into program memories by depressing pedals or buttons of programmers. | Not published |
| AI + software | Compare encoded tapes or computer printouts with original part specifications and blueprints to verify accuracy of instructions. | under 0.01% |
| AI + software | Sort shop orders into groups to maximize materials utilization and minimize machine setup time. | Not published |
| AI + software | Write instruction sheets and cutter lists for a machine's controller to guide setup and encode numerical control tapes. | Not published |
| Not much | Align and secure pattern film on reference tables of optical programmers, and observe enlarger scope views of printed circuit boards. | Not published |
Ordered by how important O*NET's respondents rate each task (1 to 5) times the share who say it is part of their job. The ordering is ours. 3 of the 16 have a published share of Claude conversations; “not published” means too few conversations for Anthropic to publish a figure.
Where people already use AI
The tasks above say what AI could speed up. This shows what people are using it for. Its 16 tasks fall under 13 work activities that many occupations share, and Microsoft counted how often each one came up in 200,000 conversations with its Copilot assistant in 2024.
- #8 Read documents or materials to inform work processes
- #14 Create visual designs or displays
- #31 Program computer systems or production equipment
- and 3 more, in the table below
| Work activity | This occupation's tasks under it | People asked AI for help in 10,000 conversations |
AI did it for them in 10,000 conversations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Program computer systems or production equipment | |||
| Determine operational methods or procedures | |||
| Read documents or materials to inform work processes | |||
| Create visual designs or displays | |||
| Purchase goods or services | |||
| Select materials or equipment for operations or projects | |||
| Evaluate the quality or accuracy of data | |||
| Plan work activities |
Show all 13 activities
| Test performance of equipment or systems | |||
| Maintain facilities or equipment | |||
| Measure physical characteristics of materials, products, or equipment | |||
| Inspect completed work or finished products | |||
| Position materials or components for assembly |
How people in this work use Claude
What people in this work made with Claude % of conversations
- A chart or visualization31%
- An explanation or answer10%
- A document or report10%
- A script or snippet9%
- An analysis or summary4%
How they worked with Claude
46% of these conversations were about work. Anthropic Economic Index, May 2026.
How to read this
Work activities come from O*NET, which links every task to the broader activities it involves. Microsoft's figures are for the activity across everyone who used Copilot, not for computer numerically controlled tool programmers specifically. Copilot is a general chat assistant; dedicated coding tools are not included, so programming help is under-counted here. Activities are listed by how many of this occupation's tasks fall under them.
The task ratings say whether AI could halve the time a task takes: on its own (“AI alone”), or with software built on it (“AI + software”). They were made by people in 2023 (Eloundou et al.). Claude's share is the task's share of all Claude.ai conversations in May 2026; Anthropic doesn't publish a task with too few conversations. None of these add up to the BLS exposure group, which combines five research measures.
More in the Guide: task ratings · task order · work activities · Copilot figures · Claude
High exposure doesn't mean fewer jobs
BLS projects most occupations in its two most exposed groups to grow: 141 of 206 rated Very high and 165 of 206 rated High. Each dot is one of the 831 occupations BLS rates.
Career moves into and out of this occupation
From moves between occupations found in online resumes, 2002–2016. Career changes only: a first job after school isn't a move.
Where people moved next
of 249,798 moves out
- 1 Managers, All Other (2010 group) an older group BLS has since split; no exposure group today 5%
- 2 Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers Moderate +3.8% 5%
- 3 Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand Low +1.8% 3%
- 4 Customer Service Representatives Very high -5.3% 2%
- 5 Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators Low +1.5% 2%
Where people moved in from
of 216,423 moves in
- 1 Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand Low +1.8% 6%
- 2 Customer Service Representatives Very high -5.3% 4%
- 3 Cashiers High -6.5% 3%
- 4 Managers, All Other (2010 group) an older group BLS has since split; no exposure group today 3%
- 5 Retail Salespersons Very high -0.3% 3%
The resume data uses 2010 occupation codes. This occupation comes from “Computer Numerically Controlled Machine Tool Programmers, Metal and Plastic” and “Production Workers, All Other”, which today also include “Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators” and the occupation still called “Production Workers, All Other”, so these figures cover those too. Resumes over-represent younger, white-collar job-seekers and moves into management. Schubert, Stansbury and Taska (resume data).
Education and training for the occupation
O*NET survey of workers in this occupation
- 33% high school
- 31% postsecondary certificate
- 20% some college
- 14% associate's
- 2% bachelor's
O*NET 31.0 survey of workers in this occupation · 23 people answered.
Census survey (American Community Survey)
- 17% less than high school
- 47% high school
- 19% some college
- 7% associate's
- 7% bachelor's
- 2% master's
Census ACS 2024, all workers in the Census group “Other production workers” · 14,074 people surveyed.
Why the two can differ
O*NET asks about 20 people in each occupation, which makes its shares uncertain, but it reports the exact occupation and counts certificates. The Census survey reaches thousands, but it groups some occupations together and counts degrees only. More in the Guide
Median pay by highest degree full-time, year-round · Census ACS 2024, all workers in the Census group “Other production workers”
1 program: Computer Numerically Controlled (CNC) Machinist Technology/CNC Machinist.
Jobs that require a credential BLS Occupational Requirements Survey 2023
10.0% this occupation
45.3% all occupations
| By kind | This occupation | All occupations |
|---|---|---|
| a license | <0.5% | 19.1% |
| a certification | 5.0% | 5.8% |
| an educational certificate | not published |
Share of jobs whose employer requires it. BLS doesn't say which credential. How to read this
Look up certifications, training and licenses U.S. Department of Labor
- Certification Finder ↗ certifications CareerOneStop lists for this occupation
- Training Finder ↗ schools and programs, nationwide; narrow the place there
- License Finder ↗ licenses by state
- Apprenticeship Finder ↗ DOL lists 7 registered apprenticeships in this occupation. Apprenticeship.gov can't be linked to one occupation, so search for “Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers” there.
These open in a new tab and send only the occupation's public code. More in the Guide
BLS AI exposure categories (Aug 2026) · BLS Employment Projections 2025–35 · O*NET 31.0 · Task ratings: Eloundou et al., Science (2024) · Microsoft "Working with AI" v1.1 · Anthropic Economic Index (2026-06-26) · Schubert, Stansbury and Taska · NCES CIP–SOC · Census ACS 2024 · BLS JOLTS · Brynjolfsson, Chandar and Chen, Stanford (Aug 2026)
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