Occupational Employment Statistics

DETAILED OCCUPATION DATA

51-9161 Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators

Occupational Description:
Operate computer-controlled tools, machines, or robots to machine or process parts, tools, or other work pieces made of metal, plastic, wood, stone, or other materials. May also set up and maintain equipment.

Occupational Employment Statistics(OES) Wage Data
First Quarter 2025

Geography	Employment	Emp SE*	Percentiles
Geography	Employment	Emp SE*	Mean	10th	25th	Median	75th	90th
Southeast Minnesota	310	32	$25.56/hr	$21.68/hr	$22.14/hr	$23.77/hr	$28.82/hr	$31.70/hr

Leading Industries for Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators

Industry	OES Employment (Statewide)	OES Median Wage (Statewide)
Construction	30	$29.71/hr
Manufacturing	3,810	$25.98/hr
Trade, Transportation and Utilities	50	$23.54/hr
Professional and Business Services	130	$29.99/hr
Other Services	N/A	N/A

Other Regional Data for Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators

Geography	Employment	Median Wage	Projections % Change 2022-2032
Mankato-North Mankato MN MSA	30	$23.35/hr	N/A
Grand Forks ND-MN MSA	50	$27.84/hr	N/A
Northeast Balance of State	50	$23.50/hr	N/A
Rochester MN MSA	70	$28.31/hr	N/A
La Crosse WI-MN MSA	80	$29.09/hr	N/A
Northeast Minnesota	100	$23.75/hr	-7.6%
Duluth MN-WI MSA	100	$26.47/hr	N/A
Fargo ND-MN MSA	130	$30.11/hr	N/A
Southwest Minnesota	190	$23.86/hr	-0.6%
Southwest Balance of State	200	$24.17/hr	N/A
St Cloud MN MSA	220	$28.22/hr	N/A
Southeast Balance of State	280	$23.22/hr	N/A
Southeast Minnesota	310	$23.77/hr	-0.9%
Northwest Balance of State	540	$24.08/hr	N/A
Northwest Minnesota	590	$24.08/hr	1.2%
Central Minnesota	710	$26.61/hr	2.4%
Seven County Mpls-St Paul, MN	2,060	$29.14/hr	-5.6%
Minneapolis-St Paul-Bloomington MN-WI MSA	2,690	$28.87/hr	N/A
Minnesota	4,020	$26.31/hr	-2.8%

Related Occupations

Occupations	Employment	Median Wage	Projections % Change 2022-2032
Electric Motor, Power Tool, and Related Repairers	70	$25.71/hr	9.0%
Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic	2,190	$23.28/hr	5.3%
Industrial Machinery Mechanics	6,650	$33.50/hr	20.5%
Machinists	14,910	$29.26/hr	7.6%
Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gagers	570	$48.24/hr	-4.9%
Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics	13,500	$28.24/hr	3.2%
Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians	2,230	$42.58/hr	3.8%
Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers	N/A	N/A	N/A

Task for Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators

Stop machines to remove finished workpieces or to change tooling, setup, or workpiece placement, according to required machining sequences.
Measure dimensions of finished workpieces to ensure conformance to specifications, using precision measuring instruments, templates, and fixtures.
Maintain machines and remove and replace broken or worn machine tools, using hand tools.
Control coolant systems.
Clean machines, tooling, or parts, using solvents or solutions and rags.
Lift workpieces to machines manually or with hoists or cranes.
Listen to machines during operation to detect sounds such as those made by dull cutting tools or excessive vibration, and adjust machines to compensate for problems.
Check to ensure that workpieces are properly lubricated and cooled during machine operation.
Transfer commands from servers to computer numerical control (CNC) modules, using computer network links.
Confer with supervisors or programmers to resolve machine malfunctions or production errors or to obtain approval to continue production.