Computer Numerically Controlled (CNC) Machinist Tech

Types of Degrees Computer Numerically Controlled (CNC) Machinist Tech Majors Are Getting

The following table lists how many computer numerically controlled (cnc) machinist technology/cnc machinist graduations there were in 2021-2022 for each degree level.

Education Level	Number of Grads
Basic Certificate	1,120
Undergraduate Certificate	839
Associate Degree	316

What Computer Numerically Controlled (CNC) Machinist Tech Majors Need to Know

O*NET surveyed people in occupations related to computer numerically controlled (cnc) machinist tech and asked them what knowledge areas, skills, and abilities were important for their jobs. The responses were rated on a scale of 1 to 5 with 5 being most important.

Knowledge Areas for Computer Numerically Controlled (CNC) Machinist Tech Majors

According to O*NET survey takers, a major in computer numerically controlled (cnc) machinist tech should prepare you for careers in which you will need to be knowledgeable in the following areas:

• Mechanical - Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
• Mathematics - Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
• Computers and Electronics - Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
• Production and Processing - Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
• Design - Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.

Skills for Computer Numerically Controlled (CNC) Machinist Tech Majors

When studying computer numerically controlled (cnc) machinist tech, you’ll learn many skills that will help you be successful in a wide range of jobs - even those that do not require a degree in the field. The following is a list of some of the most common skills needed for careers associated with this major:

• Operation Monitoring - Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
• Monitoring - Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
• Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
• Programming - Writing computer programs for various purposes.
• Quality Control Analysis - Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.

Abilities for Computer Numerically Controlled (CNC) Machinist Tech Majors

As a computer numerically controlled (cnc) machinist tech major, you will find yourself needing the following abilities:

• Near Vision - The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
• Information Ordering - The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
• Problem Sensitivity - The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
• Perceptual Speed - The ability to quickly and accurately compare similarities and differences among sets of letters, numbers, objects, pictures, or patterns. The things to be compared may be presented at the same time or one after the other. This ability also includes comparing a presented object with a remembered object.
• Selective Attention - The ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted.

What Can You Do With a Computer Numerically Controlled (CNC) Machinist Tech Major?

Below is a list of occupations associated with computer numerically controlled (cnc) machinist tech:

Job Title	Job Growth Rate	Median Salary
Computer Numerically Controlled Machine Tool Programmers, Metal and Plastic	16.3%	$53,190
Computer-Controlled Machine Tool Operators, Metal and Plastic	1.1%	$40,070

Who Is Getting an Associate’s Degree in Computer Numerically Controlled (CNC) Machinist Tech?

This major tends to be male dominated. About 91% of recent graduates are men.

Racial-Ethnic Diversity

At the countrywide level, the racial-ethnic distribution of computer numerically controlled (cnc) machinist tech majors is as follows:

Race/Ethnicity	Number of Grads
Asian	13
Black or African American	11
Hispanic or Latino	20
White	254
International Students	0
Other Races/Ethnicities	18

How Much Do Computer Numerically Controlled (CNC) Machinist Tech Majors Make?

Salaries According to BLS

Average salaries range from $41,960 to $56,300 (25th to 75th percentile) for careers related to computer numerically controlled (cnc) machinist tech. This range includes all degree levels, so the salary for a person with just a bachelor’s degree may be a little less and the one for a person with an advanced degree may be a little more.

To put that into context, according to BLS data from the first quarter of 2020, the typical high school graduate makes between $30,000 and $57,900 a year (25th through 75th percentile). The average person with a bachelor’s degree (any field) makes between $45,600 and $99,000. Advanced degree holders make the most with salaries between $55,600 and $125,400.

Amount of Education Required for Careers Related to Computer Numerically Controlled (CNC) Machinist Tech

Some degrees associated with computer numerically controlled (cnc) machinist tech may require an advanced degree, while others may not even require a bachelor’s in the field. Whatever the case may be, pursuing more education usually means that more career options will be available to you.

How much schooling do you really need to compete in today’s job market? People currently working in careers related to computer numerically controlled (cnc) machinist tech have obtained the following education levels.

Education Level	Percentage of Workers
Less than a High School Diploma	1.4%
High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)	32.9%
Post-Secondary Certificate - awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in agriculture or natural resources, computer services, personal or culinary services, engineering technologies, healthcare, construction trades, mechanic and repair technologies, or precision production)	28.3%
Some College Courses	11.3%
Associate’s Degree (or other 2-year degree)	15.1%
Bachelor’s Degree	11.0%

Online Computer Numerically Controlled (CNC) Machinist Tech Programs

The following table lists the number of programs by degree level, along with how many schools offered online courses in the field.

Degree Level	Colleges Offering Programs	Colleges Offering Online Classes
Certificate (Less Than 1 Year)	0	0
Certificate (1-2 years)	110	1
Certificate (2-4 Years)	12	0
Associate’s Degree	63	1
Bachelor’s Degree	0	0
Post-Baccalaureate	0	0
Master’s Degree	0	0
Post-Master’s	0	0
Doctor’s Degree (Research)	0	0
Doctor’s Degree (Professional Practice)	0	0
Doctor’s Degree (Other)	0	0

Is a Degree in Computer Numerically Controlled (CNC) Machinist Tech Worth It?

The median salary for a computer numerically controlled (cnc) machinist tech grad is $41,960 per year. This is based on the weighted average of the most common careers associated with the major.

This is 5% more than the average salary for an individual holding a high school degree. This adds up to a gain of about $41,200 after 20 years!

Trades Related to Computer Numerically Controlled (CNC) Machinist Tech

You may also be interested in one of the following majors related to computer numerically controlled (cnc) machinist tech.

Major	Number of Grads
Welding Technology/Welder	46,029
Machine Tool Technology/Machinist	3,181
Machine Shop Technology/Assistant	1,588
Tool & Die Technology/Technician	541
Metal Fabricator	413
Sheet Metal Technology/Sheetworking	319
Ironworking/Ironworker	226
Other Precision Metal Working	218

References

*The racial-ethnic minorities count is calculated by taking the total number of students and subtracting white students, international students, and students whose race/ethnicity was unknown. This number is then divided by the total number of students at the school to obtain the racial-ethnic minorities percentage.

• College Factual
• College Scorecard
• National Center for Education Statistics
• O*NET Online
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
• Usual Weekly Earnings of Wage and Salary Workers First Quarter 2020

More about our data sources and methodologies.