Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator salary in California
Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators in California earn a median of $56,510 a year ($27.17 an hour), based on BLS data for 21,680 workers.
Pay ranges from $39,670 for the lowest-paid 10% to $76,840 for the top 10%. That is 11% higher than the national median of $50,690. California ranks 11th of 48 states for computer numerically controlled tool operators pay. There are 1.2 computer numerically controlled tool operators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $57,400, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for computer numerically controlled tool operators in California
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $39,670 | $19.07 |
| 25th percentile | $47,140 | $22.66 |
| Median | $56,510 | $27.17 |
| 75th percentile | $63,850 | $30.70 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $76,840 | $36.94 |
| Average (mean) | $57,400 | $27.60 |
Half of computer numerically controlled tool operators earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $4,709.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,354.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,173.46 |
| Weekly | $1,086.73 |
| Hourly | $27.17 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator salary in cities in California
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $60,100 | 200 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $59,930 | 110 |
| Vallejo, CA | $59,740 | 170 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $59,620 | 2,050 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $59,600 | 1,930 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | $59,280 | 70 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $58,850 | 240 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $58,540 | 160 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $57,310 | 620 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | $57,300 | 110 |
| Visalia, CA | $56,670 | 50 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $54,980 | 10,450 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $54,910 | 1,960 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $52,750 | 620 |
| Chico, CA | $51,960 | 40 |
| Redding, CA | $50,440 | 70 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $49,460 | 1,990 |
| Fresno, CA | $49,330 | 250 |
| Merced, CA | $49,200 | 40 |
| Modesto, CA | $49,020 | 140 |
Highest-paying states for computer numerically controlled tool operators
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Washington | $107,920 |
| Massachusetts | $61,630 |
| North Dakota | $60,250 |
| Connecticut | $59,840 |
| New Hampshire | $59,730 |
| Maine | $59,660 |
| Vermont | $57,500 |
| Rhode Island | $57,390 |
| Minnesota | $56,780 |
| Oregon | $56,670 |
See Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator pay in every state.
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $54,300 | $26.11 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $44,020 | $21.16 |
| Production Workers, All Other | $41,670 | $20.03 |
| Helpers--Production Workers | $43,970 | $21.14 |
| Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $52,910 | $25.44 |
| Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $52,950 | $25.46 |
| Mixing and Blending Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $50,640 | $24.34 |
| Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders | $58,300 | $28.03 |
| Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $48,730 | $23.43 |
| Semiconductor Processing Technician | $48,030 | $23.09 |
| Dental Laboratory Technician | $47,410 | $22.80 |
| Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $47,300 | $22.74 |
| Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic | $49,190 | $23.65 |
| Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $46,110 | $22.17 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 51-9161. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a computer numerically controlled tool operator make in California?
The median salary for computer numerically controlled tool operators in California is $56,510 a year, or $27.17 an hour. Pay ranges from $39,670 for the lowest-paid 10% to $76,840 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid computer numerically controlled tool operators make in California?
The top 10% of computer numerically controlled tool operators in California earn at least $76,840 a year. The top 25% earn $63,850 or more.
What is the starting pay for computer numerically controlled tool operators in California?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $39,670 a year, and a quarter of computer numerically controlled tool operators earn $47,140 or less.
How many computer numerically controlled tool operators work in California?
About 21,680 computer numerically controlled tool operators are employed in California, not counting the self-employed.