Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator salary in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area earn a median of $48,560 a year ($23.34 an hour), based on BLS data for 70 workers.
Pay ranges from $38,070 for the lowest-paid 10% to $63,470 for the top 10%. That is 4% lower than the national median of $50,690. Pay here is 4% lower than the North Carolina statewide median of $50,440. There are 0.19 computer numerically controlled tool operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.17). The average (mean) salary is $49,490, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for computer numerically controlled tool operators in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,070 | $18.30 |
| 25th percentile | $43,920 | $21.11 |
| Median | $48,560 | $23.34 |
| 75th percentile | $54,080 | $26.00 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $63,470 | $30.51 |
| Average (mean) | $49,490 | $23.79 |
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 | $4,046.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,023.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,867.69 |
| Weekly | $933.85 |
| Hourly | $23.34 |
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 other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Winston-Salem, NC | $53,110 | 250 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $52,240 | 340 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $50,750 | 220 |
| Asheville, NC | $50,440 | 160 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $49,400 | 960 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | $47,930 | 560 |
| Burlington, NC | $46,940 | n/a |
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC | $46,630 | 160 |
| Goldsboro, NC | $38,980 | 40 |
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 or the North Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $49,390 | $23.74 |
| Production Workers, All Other | $42,620 | $20.49 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $50,260 | $24.16 |
| Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders | $60,080 | $28.88 |
| Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $41,210 | $19.81 |
| Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $37,650 | $18.10 |
| Helpers--Production Workers | $40,290 | $19.37 |
| Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $46,600 | $22.41 |
| Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $55,920 | $26.89 |
| Mixing and Blending Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $48,410 | $23.28 |
| Jewelers and Precious Stone and Metal Workers | $63,650 | $30.60 |
| Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmer | $51,540 | $24.78 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $39,000 | $18.75 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $77,930 | $37.47 |
More: Production Occupations · all salaries in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
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 Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
The median salary for computer numerically controlled tool operators in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area is $48,560 a year, or $23.34 an hour. Pay ranges from $38,070 for the lowest-paid 10% to $63,470 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid computer numerically controlled tool operators make in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
The top 10% of computer numerically controlled tool operators in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area earn at least $63,470 a year. The top 25% earn $54,080 or more.
What is the starting pay for computer numerically controlled tool operators in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $38,070 a year, and a quarter of computer numerically controlled tool operators earn $43,920 or less.
How many computer numerically controlled tool operators work in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
About 70 computer numerically controlled tool operators are employed in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area, not counting the self-employed.