How to hire a numerical control programmer

How to hire a numerical control programmer, step by step

Here's a step-by-step numerical control programmer hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a numerical control programmer job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new numerical control programmer
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does a numerical control programmer do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you start hiring a numerical control programmer, identify what type of worker you actually need. Certain positions might call for a full-time employee, while others can be done by a part-time worker or contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   You should also consider the ideal background you'd like them a numerical control programmer to have before you start to hire. For example, what industry or field would you like them to have experience in, what level of seniority or education does the job require, and how much it'll cost to hire a numerical control programmer that fits the bill.

   Here's a comparison of numerical control programmer salaries for various roles:

   Type of Numerical Control Programmer	Description	Hourly rate
   Numerical Control Programmer	Metal and plastic machine workers set up and operate machines that cut, shape, and form metal and plastic materials or pieces.	$18-33
   Mold Maker	A Mold Maker creates, adjusts, inspects, maintains, and repairs molds and production equipment. They use various machines, such as lathes, milling machines, grinding machines, and jig borders.	$16-32
   Tool Designer	A tool designer is an expert who works to engineer a new equipment's initial design used in industrial manufacturing. Tool designers design machine cutting tools like drills, broaches, and milling-machine cutters... Show more	$22-41

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • CNC Machines
   • G Code
   • Cad Cam
   • G-Code
   • CAD/CAM
   • CNC Lathes
   • GD
   • Aerospace
   • Troubleshoot
   • Machine Shop
   • Machine Tools
   • Math
   • FANUC
   • Fixture Design

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Tune and correct extrusion tools to achieve dimensional tolerances, finish and function of products to internal and external customer specifications.
   • Control experiences mill/lathe include: Fanuc, Yasnac, Haas, Fadal, Okuma, Yama Seiki.
   • Design tools and write NC programs to manufacture a variety of composite tools for various aerospace customers using CATIA V5.
   • Write program, g-code, troubleshoot, maintain fabricating equipment.
   • Train QA shop personal in operating CMM machines for part or assembly inspections.
   • Bid, plan, estimate, and programme all in house CNC machines for aerospace, space, and commercial products.

   More numerical control programmer duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your numerical control programmer job description helps attract top candidates to the position. A numerical control programmer salary can be affected by several factors, such as geography, experience, seniority, certifications, and the prestige of the hiring company.

   For example, the average salary for a numerical control programmer in Alabama may be lower than in Alaska, and an entry-level numerical control programmer usually earns less than a senior-level numerical control programmer. Additionally, a numerical control programmer with certifications may command a higher salary, and working for a well-known company or start-up may also impact an employee's pay.

   Average numerical control programmer salary

   $52,754yearly

   $25.36 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level numerical control programmer salary

   $39,000 yearly salary

   Updated January 29, 2026

   Average numerical control programmer salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	Connecticut	$59,497	$29
   2	New York	$59,314	$29
   3	Pennsylvania	$58,873	$28
   4	Maryland	$58,321	$28
   5	Michigan	$58,318	$28
   6	Ohio	$58,245	$28
   7	Virginia	$57,150	$27
   8	Wisconsin	$56,701	$27
   9	Washington	$56,354	$27
   10	Illinois	$56,146	$27
   11	Minnesota	$55,945	$27
   12	Oregon	$55,913	$27
   13	Indiana	$55,288	$27
   14	North Carolina	$55,160	$27
   15	Iowa	$55,044	$26
   16	California	$53,753	$26
   17	Colorado	$52,050	$25
   18	Georgia	$52,013	$25
   19	Oklahoma	$51,665	$25
   20	Arizona	$51,321	$25

   Average numerical control programmer salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Cirrus Aircraft	$76,556	$36.81	2
   2	Applied Materials	$76,024	$36.55	10
   3	Joby Aviation	$71,834	$34.54	7
   4	fathom	$69,184	$33.26	1
   5	General Motors	$68,956	$33.15	7
   6	Tesla	$66,627	$32.03	36
   7	Motor Coach Industries	$64,095	$30.81
   8	BWX Technologies	$63,380	$30.47	26
   9	Piedmont Plastics	$61,928	$29.77	1
   10	Globus Medical	$61,661	$29.64	15
   11	Curtiss-Wright	$61,266	$29.45	57
   12	Cyient	$61,174	$29.41	3
   13	REV Group	$61,044	$29.35	4
   14	Masimo	$60,919	$29.29
   15	Lucid Motors	$60,692	$29.18	2
   16	Ichor Systems	$60,536	$29.10
   17	General Electric	$60,340	$29.01	16
   18	GPAC	$60,199	$28.94
   19	Fastenal	$59,945	$28.82	3
   20	I.T. Consortium	$59,831	$28.76	1

4. Writing a numerical control programmer job description

   A numerical control programmer job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. Below, you can find an example of a numerical control programmer job description:

   Numerical control programmer job description example

   Plans machining by studying work orders, blueprints, engineering plans, materials, specifications, locations of surfaces and machining parameters. Responsible for programming lathes and mills, the set-up of mills and lathes, and maintaining equipment and completion of PM's.
   
   Position is first shift - Currently 6:00 am to 4:30 pm - Monday through Thursday with occasional mandatory Fridays.
   
   Amerex is a Federal VEVRAA contractor and an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing equal employment opportunity in all employment practices. Amerex will not discriminate against any applicant for employment because of their race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, disability, veteran or service member status, marital status, citizenship status (In IL - sex, including same sex, ancestry, order of protection status, physical or mental disability, military status, pregnancy, unfavorable discharge status, genetic information), (In IA - gender identity), (In CA - gender identity or expression, and genetic information) or any other category protected by federal, state or local law.
   Responsibilities Plans machining by studying work orders, blueprints, engineering plans, materials, specifications, locations of surfaces and machining parameters. Program lathes and mills by entering instructions including zero and reference points; setting tool registers, offsets, compensation, and conditional switches; calculating requirements, including basic math, geometry and trigonometry; proving parts programs. Set-up mills and lathes by installing and adjusting chucks, tools attachments, collates, bushings, cams, gears, stops, and stock pushers; indicating vices; trimming heads. Verifies settings by measuring positions, first-run parts, and sample workpieces adhering to standards. Maintains safe operation of machines Maintains equipment by completion of P.M.s. Maintains continuity among work shifts by documenting and communicating actions, irregularities and continuing needs. Documents actions by completing production and quality logs. Perform other duties as assigned. SUMMARY OF WORKING CONDITIONS This position may involve potential exposure to hazardous materials, and environmental changes (heat/cold), and the employee must be able to work under stress occasioned by production requirements, personnel, and the needs of other departments, utilizing proper body mechanics. PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS The physical requirements described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Physical activities required of this job include but are not limited to considerable use of arms and legs and moving the whole body include climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, standing, stooping, and handling tools and materials. The employee must regularly lift and move up to 10 pounds, frequently lift and move up to 25 pounds and occasionally lift and move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus. Exerting up to 10 lbs. of force occasionally, and/or a negligible amount of force to frequently lift, push, pull or otherwise move objects. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time; however, it may involve walking and standing for brief periods of time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally and all other sedentary criteria are met. Qualifications • 2 year technical degree or 5 years set up and programming experience
   • Hands on experience with conventional machinery and computerized numerical control machinery.
   • Experience with Fanuc Controls
   • Ability to read blueprint/drawing, write and edit CNC programs and trouble shoot CNC problems
   • Ability to effectively interpret and translate instructions to other employees in a professional and respectful manner.
   • Knowledge of trigonometry and advanced algebra. Ability to perform basic mathematical computations. Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios and proportions to practical situations.
   • Ability to define problem, collect data, establish facts and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables
   • Ability to lift 50 lbs. when required.
   • Regularly required to stand, walk and reach with hands and arms. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
   • The work environment noise level is usually moderate to high. Hearing protection is required.
   • Willing to work overtime as needed
   • Comply with all company policies and procedures

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find numerical control programmers for your business, try out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important talent pools for any company is its current employees.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and your current work to ask if they know any numerical control programmers they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entry-level numerical control programmers with the right educational background.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter have more than 3.5 billion users, and they're a great place for company branding and reaching potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your numerical control programmer job on Zippia to find and recruit numerical control programmer candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Your first interview with numerical control programmer candidates should focus on their interest in the role and background experience. As the hiring process goes on, you can learn more about how they'd fit into the company culture in later rounds of interviews.

   You should also ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match the ideal candidate profile you developed earlier. Candidates good enough for the next step can complete the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new numerical control programmer

   Once you've selected the best numerical control programmer candidate for the job, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, this letter should include details about the benefits and perks you offer the candidate. Ensuring that your offer is competitive is essential, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and you should be open to discussion. After you reach an agreement, the final step is formalizing the agreement with a contract.

   It's also important to follow up with applicants who do not get the job with an email letting them know that the position is filled.

   Once that's done, you can draft an onboarding schedule for the new numerical control programmer. Human Resources should complete Employee Action Forms and ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc. They should also ensure that new employee files are created for internal recordkeeping.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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How much does it cost to hire a numerical control programmer?