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CNC Machinist

Types of Degrees CNC Machinist Majors Are Earning

Those studying CNC Machinist may pursue degrees at several award levels.

Award Level	Graduates
Certificate	745
Associate’s Degree	264
Master’s Degree	1,079

What CNC Machinist Majors Need to Know

Programs in CNC Machinist develop a specific mix of knowledge, skills, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in occupations that CNC Machinist graduates commonly enter.

Knowledge Areas

Coursework in CNC Machinist emphasizes the following knowledge areas:

• Production and Processing — Importance 4.1 / 5; level 4.4 / 7.
• Mathematics — Importance 4.1 / 5; level 4.6 / 7.
• Engineering and Technology — Importance 3.7 / 5; level 4.0 / 7.
• Mechanical — Importance 3.6 / 5; level 4.3 / 7.
• Design — Importance 3.5 / 5; level 3.9 / 7.

^{Importance is rated 1–5; level is 1–7. Source: ONET Online — weighted across related occupations.*}

Skills

The skill set developed in a CNC Machinist program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:

• Operations Monitoring — Importance 3.6 / 5; level 3.9 / 7.
• Operation and Control — Importance 3.6 / 5; level 3.5 / 7.
• Monitoring — Importance 3.6 / 5; level 3.6 / 7.
• Critical Thinking — Importance 3.3 / 5; level 3.6 / 7.
• Quality Control Analysis — Importance 3.2 / 5; level 3.3 / 7.

Abilities

Abilities most relevant to CNC Machinist careers — again drawn from O*NET surveys of related occupations:

• Near Vision — Importance 3.9 / 5; level 3.7 / 7.
• Problem Sensitivity — Importance 3.7 / 5; level 3.4 / 7.
• Information Ordering — Importance 3.7 / 5; level 3.6 / 7.
• Perceptual Speed — Importance 3.5 / 5; level 3.1 / 7.
• Arm-Hand Steadiness — Importance 3.4 / 5; level 3.3 / 7.

Common Job Activities

Day-to-day, CNC Machinist graduates report doing:

Activity	Frequency / Importance
Controlling Machines and Processes	4.3 / 7
Working with Computers	4.3 / 7
Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials	4.1 / 7
Making Decisions and Solving Problems	4.0 / 7
Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events	4.0 / 7
Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings	4.0 / 7
Getting Information	3.9 / 7
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates	3.9 / 7
Handling and Moving Objects	3.7 / 7
Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment	3.7 / 7

Technology Skills Used on the Job

Most frequently-cited tools used by CNC Machinist professionals:

Tool / Software	Category	In-Demand
Computer aided manufacturing CAM software	Computer aided manufacturing CAM software	—
Microsoft Outlook	Electronic mail software	—
CGTech Vericut CNC	Computer aided manufacturing CAM software	—
Autodesk AutoCAD	Computer aided design CAD software	✓
BobCAD-CAM	Computer aided manufacturing CAM software	—
Dassault Systemes SolidWorks	Computer aided design CAD software	✓
Microsoft PowerPoint	Presentation software	—
Mastercam computer-aided design and manufacturing software	Computer aided manufacturing CAM software	✓
G-code	Object or component oriented development software	✓
M-code	Object or component oriented development software	—
Computer aided design CAD software	Computer aided design CAD software	—
SmartCAMcnc SmartCAM	Computer aided manufacturing CAM software	—

^{Source: ONET Online technology skills, weighted across related occupations.*}

Sample Job Titles

Real job postings for CNC Machinist graduates include:

• CNC Machinist (Computer Numerical Control Machinist)
• CNC Machinist (Computer Numerically Controlled Machinist)
• CNC Lathe Operator (Computer Numerically Controlled Lathe Operator)
• CNC Machine Operator (Computer Numerical Control Machine Operator)
• CNC Tech (Computer Numerical Control Technician)
• CNC Operator (Computer Numerical Control Operator)
• Numerical Control Router Operator
• Laser Operator
• Numerical Control Machinist Operator
• Metal Jig Boring Machine Operator
• Robotic Machine Operator
• CNC Milling Machine Operator (Computer Numerically Controlled Milling Machine Operator)
• Welding Robot Operator
• Automated Equipment Operator
• PLC Tech (Programmable Logic Control Technician)

Education Typically Required

Across the occupations open to CNC Machinist graduates, the typical level of education actually held by current workers is distributed as:

Education Level	Share of Workers
High school diploma or equivalent	40.9%
Postsecondary certificate	26.0%
Some college courses	18.2%
Associate’s degree (or other 2-year)	10.5%
Bachelor’s degree	2.6%
Less than a high school diploma	1.8%

^{Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*}

Who Is Earning a Degree in CNC Machinist?

Gender Distribution

This field skews predominantly male, with men earning 90.7% of CNC Machinist degrees.

Gender	Graduates	Share
Women	203	9.3%
Men	1,971	90.7%

Racial-Ethnic Diversity

At the national level, the racial-ethnic distribution of CNC Machinist graduates is as follows:

Race / Ethnicity	Graduates	Share
White	1,378	63.4%
Asian	78	3.6%
Hispanic or Latino	355	16.3%
Black or African American	163	7.5%
American Indian / Alaska Native	31	1.4%
Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander	6	0.3%
Two or More Races	87	4.0%
Race Unknown	63	2.9%
International Students	13	0.6%

^{See minority definition below.}

How Much Do CNC Machinist Graduates Earn?

Federal data tracks median earnings of CNC Machinist graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Wages typically rise steadily as graduates gain experience and move into mid-career roles.

Years Out	Median Earnings
1 year	$33,800
4 years	$39,416
5 years	$44,203

By year 5 out, median earnings rise to $44,203 — roughly 31% above the 1-year mark.

^{Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.}

Online CNC Machinist Programs

Online study are documented by IPEDS for CNC Machinist. The table below shows how many graduates earned at least some of their coursework online (Distance-Ed Available) versus completing the entire program online (Distance-Ed Only).

Award Level	Distance-Ed Available	Distance-Ed Only
Associate’s	1	2

^{Distance-Ed Only = degrees completed entirely online; Distance-Ed Available = degrees including at least some online coursework. Source: IPEDS Completions by Distance Education status.}

Is a Degree in CNC Machinist Worth It?

On the earnings side, the federal earnings tracker, CNC Machinist graduates earn a median of $39,416 four years after completion — roughly 4% above the national median for workers with only a high school diploma (~$38,000).

^{ROI estimate compares the program’s 4-yr median earnings against the 2023 BLS CPS median earnings for high-school-only workers. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard + BLS Current Population Survey.}

Related Programs

You may also be interested in these closely related fields of study:

Program	CIP Code
Precision Metal Working	48.05
Ironworking/Ironworker	48.0509
Machine Shop Technology/Assistant	48.0503
Machine Tool Technology/Machinist	48.0501
Metal Fabricator	48.0511
Precision Metal Working, Other	48.0599
Sheet Metal Technology/Sheetworking	48.0506
Tool and Die Technology/Technician	48.0507
Welding Technology/Welder	48.0508

References

The racial-ethnic minorities count is calculated by taking the total number of students and subtracting white students and international students. This number is then divided by the total number of students to obtain the racial-ethnic minorities percentage.

• College Factual
• National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS)
• O*NET Online
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
• U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard

More about our data sources and methodologies.