Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator salary in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA
Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators in the Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA metro area earn a median of $59,280 a year ($28.50 an hour), based on BLS data for 70 workers.
Pay ranges from $39,520 for the lowest-paid 10% to $79,260 for the top 10%. That is 17% higher than the national median of $50,690. Pay here is 5% higher than the California statewide median of $56,510. There are 0.69 computer numerically controlled tool operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.63). The average (mean) salary is $59,930, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for computer numerically controlled tool operators in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $39,520 | $19.00 |
| 25th percentile | $46,560 | $22.39 |
| Median | $59,280 | $28.50 |
| 75th percentile | $73,530 | $35.35 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $79,260 | $38.10 |
| Average (mean) | $59,930 | $28.81 |
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 | $4,940 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,470 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,280 |
| Weekly | $1,140 |
| Hourly | $28.50 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 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 or the California statewide figures.
Related jobs in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $43,610 | $20.96 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $51,210 | $24.62 |
| Helpers--Production Workers | $39,700 | $19.09 |
| Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $55,560 | $26.71 |
| Production Workers, All Other | $46,340 | $22.28 |
| Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $61,260 | $29.45 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $47,560 | $22.87 |
| Baker | $42,920 | $20.63 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $74,690 | $35.91 |
| Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers | $49,280 | $23.69 |
| Butchers and Meat Cutters | $44,260 | $21.28 |
| Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers | $37,910 | $18.23 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $50,840 | $24.44 |
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | $94,060 | $45.22 |
More: Production Occupations · all salaries in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA
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 Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA?
The median salary for computer numerically controlled tool operators in the Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA metro area is $59,280 a year, or $28.50 an hour. Pay ranges from $39,520 for the lowest-paid 10% to $79,260 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid computer numerically controlled tool operators make in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA?
The top 10% of computer numerically controlled tool operators in the Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA metro area earn at least $79,260 a year. The top 25% earn $73,530 or more.
What is the starting pay for computer numerically controlled tool operators in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $39,520 a year, and a quarter of computer numerically controlled tool operators earn $46,560 or less.
How many computer numerically controlled tool operators work in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA?
About 70 computer numerically controlled tool operators are employed in the Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA metro area, not counting the self-employed.