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Occupation · SOC 51-9161

Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators

There are 169,450 jobs in the U.S. Median pay is $50,690 a year. The most jobs are in Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CA.

ProductionTypical education: High school diploma or equivalent
169,450
Jobs in the U.S.
People employed, May 2025
$50,690
Median pay a year
Middle half: $44,930–$61,760
12,500
Annual openings
10-year change: −9.4%
1
LCA filings, last 4 quarters
One employer filed 100% of them

Metro areas with the highest employment

10 of 286 metro areas with BLS data for this occupation. LCA filings: Apr 2025–Mar 2026.

Metro areaEmploymentMedian payLCA filings
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CAMedian pay $54,980 · LCA filings 010,450$54,9800
Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INMedian pay $48,660 · LCA filings 05,480$48,6600
Houston–Pasadena–The Woodlands, TXMedian pay $50,280 · LCA filings 05,200$50,2800
Cleveland, OHMedian pay $48,670 · LCA filings 04,770$48,6700
Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, TXMedian pay $47,990 · LCA filings 03,150$47,9900
Minneapolis–St. Paul–Bloomington, MN–WIMedian pay $57,850 · LCA filings 03,010$57,8500
Cincinnati, OH–KY–INMedian pay $54,790 · LCA filings 02,970$54,7900
Detroit–Warren–Dearborn, MIMedian pay $46,880 · LCA filings 02,900$46,8800
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJMedian pay $58,900 · LCA filings 02,770$58,9000
Milwaukee–Waukesha, WIMedian pay $57,780 · LCA filings 02,240$57,7800

Metro areas with the highest median pay

Median pay for this occupation in each metro area, May 2025.

Metro areaMedian payEmploymentLCA filings
Seattle–Tacoma–Bellevue, WAEmployment 1,960 · LCA filings 0$109,6001,9600
Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA–NHEmployment 1,890 · LCA filings 0$64,1801,8900
Albany, OREmployment 290 · LCA filings 0$64,1702900
Fargo, ND–MNEmployment 110 · LCA filings 0$63,6101100
Morristown, TNEmployment 70 · LCA filings 0$62,760700

Metro areas with the most LCA filings

Labor Condition Applications filed by employers with the U.S. Department of Labor, Apr 2025–Mar 2026. They’re used in the H-1B process and show filing history, not hires or current job openings.

Metro areaLCA filingsEmployers with LCA filingsEmployment
Syracuse, NYEmployers with LCA filings 1 · Employment 33011330

Prevailing wage levels (H-1B and PERM)

The minimum yearly wage by level. Level I is entry level and Level IV is fully competent; an H-1B employer must pay at least the level that fits the job.

Metro areaLevel ILevel IILevel IIILevel IV
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CALevel II $49,712 · Level III $56,680 · Level IV $63,627$42,765$49,712$56,680$63,627
Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INLevel II $46,613 · Level III $52,832 · Level IV $59,072$40,373$46,613$52,832$59,072
Houston–Pasadena–The Woodlands, TXLevel II $45,074 · Level III $52,686 · Level IV $60,320$37,440$45,074$52,686$60,320
Cleveland, OHLevel II $44,637 · Level III $51,355 · Level IV $58,053$37,939$44,637$51,355$58,053
Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, TXLevel II $43,659 · Level III $50,440 · Level IV $57,221$36,878$43,659$50,440$57,221
Minneapolis–St. Paul–Bloomington, MN–WILevel II $52,125 · Level III $58,427 · Level IV $64,730$45,822$52,125$58,427$64,730
Cincinnati, OH–KY–INLevel II $48,214 · Level III $55,640 · Level IV $63,086$40,768$48,214$55,640$63,086
Detroit–Warren–Dearborn, MILevel II $44,158 · Level III $50,565 · Level IV $56,992$37,731$44,158$50,565$56,992
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJLevel II $49,338 · Level III $57,304 · Level IV $65,250$41,392$49,338$57,304$65,250
Milwaukee–Waukesha, WILevel II $51,397 · Level III $58,032 · Level IV $64,667$44,762$51,397$58,032$64,667
Syracuse, NYLevel II $46,904 · Level III $51,896 · Level IV $56,867$41,933$46,904$51,896$56,867

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027.

Related majors

Majors most closely related to this occupation. International graduates: 2024–25 academic year.

MajorInternational graduatesSTEM OPT
Precision Metal WorkingCIP 48.05OPT · up to 12 months261OPT · up to 12 months

See Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators in every metro area

All 286 metro areas, pay in each, related majors, schools in each job market, and employers with LCA filing history.

Employers with LCA filings for this occupation

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Sources: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 · BLS Employment Projections 2025-35 · U.S. Department of Labor LCA disclosure data, Apr 2025–Mar 2026 · IPEDS 2024–25. Prevailing wages: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027. Methodology