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Job outlook for numerical control operators in the United States
Numerical control operator job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected numerical control operator job growth rate is -8% from 2018-2028.
About -83,800 new jobs for numerical control operators are projected over the next decade.
Numerical control operator salaries have increased 11% for numerical control operators in the last 5 years.
There are over 830,965 numerical control operators currently employed in the United States.
There are 85,068 active numerical control operator job openings in the US.
The average numerical control operator salary is $38,280.
Are numerical control operator jobs in demand?
Numerical control operator job and salary trends over time
Numerical control operator jobs over time
Numerical control operator job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 830,965 | 0.25% |
| 2020 | 269,252 | 0.08% |
| 2019 | 924,686 | 0.28% |
| 2018 | 262,226 | 0.08% |
| 2017 | 257,496 | 0.08% |
Average numerical control operator salary over time
Numerical control operator salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $38,280 | $18.40 | +3.4% |
| 2024 | $37,022 | $17.80 | +1.4% |
| 2023 | $36,515 | $17.56 | +2.1% |
| 2022 | $35,749 | $17.19 | +3.6% |
| 2021 | $34,519 | $16.60 | +2.3% |
Numerical control operator jobs by state
Most common states for numerical control operators
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 1,907 | 28% |
| 2 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 172 | 25% |
| 3 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 282 | 21% |
| 4 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 197 | 19% |
| 5 | Alaska | 739,795 | 121 | 16% |
| 6 | Wisconsin | 5,795,483 | 845 | 15% |
| 7 | New Jersey | 9,005,644 | 1,270 | 14% |
| 8 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 714 | 13% |
| 9 | Ohio | 11,658,609 | 1,116 | 10% |
| 10 | Georgia | 10,429,379 | 1,008 | 10% |
| 11 | Indiana | 6,666,818 | 691 | 10% |
| 12 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 304 | 10% |
| 13 | Hawaii | 1,427,538 | 146 | 10% |
| 14 | Pennsylvania | 12,805,537 | 1,106 | 9% |
| 15 | South Carolina | 5,024,369 | 433 | 9% |
| 16 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 76 | 9% |
| 17 | Tennessee | 6,715,984 | 510 | 8% |
| 18 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 454 | 8% |
| 19 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 295 | 8% |
| 20 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 256 | 8% |
Most common cities for numerical control operators
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Manitowoc | 4 | 12% | $37,187 |
| 2 | Post Falls | 3 | 9% | $41,004 |
| 3 | Waukesha | 5 | 7% | $37,058 |
| 4 | Santee | 3 | 5% | $38,530 |
| 5 | Yorba Linda | 3 | 4% | $38,789 |
| 6 | Grand Rapids | 5 | 3% | $36,840 |
| 7 | Peoria | 3 | 3% | $37,612 |
| 8 | Vista | 3 | 3% | $38,613 |
| 9 | Saint Paul | 4 | 1% | $37,985 |
| 10 | Miami | 3 | 1% | $34,821 |
| 11 | San Diego | 3 | 0% | $38,549 |
| 12 | San Jose | 3 | 0% | $39,882 |
Numerical Control Operator job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of numerical control operator experts
Precision Machined Products Association
What type of skills will young Numerical Control Operators need?
Miles Free: Skills are essential, but most of our precision machining shops hire for attitude. We will help reliable candidates develop the skills that they need. If we look at employers having wants and needs: want - someone that knows their software. Needs - someone that knows how to adjust code; we'll teach them our software. Wants - excellent math skills. Requires the ability to do high school algebra, geometry, and trig.
Needs - people that can communicate an issue verbally and in writing.
That's where we see it. Critical thinking, ability to understand problems and their potential causes, ability to work well with others, without this, even a super-competent technically skilled person will probably find themselves changing jobs many times.