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COL-adjusted ranking

Best Cities for Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operatorss by Take-Home Pay

The cities that pay Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operatorss the most on paper aren't usually the best deals once rent and prices are factored in. Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue ranks first with a COL-adjusted equivalent of $93,692/year, better purchasing power than Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue's higher nominal pay of $104,120. San Francisco and New York dominate the headline salary lists for most occupations, but they don't crack the COL-adjusted top 10 here. The table below uses BLS OEWS May 2024 salary data and BEA Regional Price Parities.

Highest nominal pay

#1 Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue$104,120
#2 Wilmington$82,920
#3 Columbus$64,700

Best purchasing power

#1 Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue$93,692
#2 Wilmington$85,999
#3 Columbus$69,570

Top 25 metros by purchasing power

Ranked by COL-adjusted salary. Metros with fewer than 100 employed computer numerically controlled tool operatorss excluded.

Rank
Metro
Nominal
COL-adj.
#1
$104,120
$93,692
#2
Wilmington
21% rent burden
$82,920
$85,999
#3
Columbus
26% rent burden
$64,700
$69,570
#4
Fargo
22% rent burden
$61,610
$67,800
#5
Mobile
22% rent burden
$58,790
$66,731
#6
St. Cloud
25% rent burden
$57,740
$65,891
#7
Asheville
30% rent burden
$62,660
$64,926
#8
Bowling Green
24% rent burden
$57,830
$64,127
#9
Springfield
34% rent burden
$61,600
$64,127
#10
Midland
35% rent burden
$61,240
$63,938
#11
Fort Smith
21% rent burden
$54,790
$63,791
#12
Reading
31% rent burden
$61,690
$63,559
#13
Eau Claire
24% rent burden
$58,980
$63,556
#14
Pittsburgh
26% rent burden
$59,940
$63,315
#15
Winston-Salem
26% rent burden
$57,310
$62,266
#16
Decatur
21% rent burden
$54,080
$62,011
#17
Glens Falls
28% rent burden
$58,260
$61,410
#18
Huntsville
28% rent burden
$57,070
$61,319
#19
Fond du Lac
25% rent burden
$56,050
$61,163
#20
Lansing-East Lansing
26% rent burden
$58,090
$61,154
#21
Duluth
27% rent burden
$54,170
$61,023
#22
Oshkosh-Neenah
24% rent burden
$56,660
$60,971
#23
Albany
29% rent burden
$62,150
$60,872
#24
Appleton
26% rent burden
$56,130
$60,734
#25
Worcester
40% rent burden
$61,970
$60,447

COL-adjusted = nominal salary divided by (BEA RPP divided by 100). Rent burden = annual 2BR FMR as % of nominal salary. Sources: BLS OEWS May 2024, BEA Regional Price Parities, HUD Fair Market Rents.

Common questions

What does "COL-adjusted pay" mean for Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operatorss?

COL-adjusted pay divides the BLS median salary by the BEA Regional Price Parity index (100 = national average). A salary of $104,120 in a city with RPP 120 has the same purchasing power as $86,767 at national average prices.

Why doesn't New York or San Francisco top this list?

Both cities pay above-average salaries, but rent and everyday costs eat most of that premium. A computer numerically controlled tool operators in New York might earn 30% more but pay 60-80% more in rent. The net result is often less purchasing power than mid-cost metros.

How is purchasing power calculated?

Purchasing power equals nominal median salary divided by (BEA RPP divided by 100). BEA's Regional Price Parities measure relative price levels across metro areas, updated annually from the National Income and Product Accounts.

What's the most affordable metro for Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operatorss?

Wilmington has one of the lowest rent burdens for Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operatorss in this dataset. HUD FMR for a 2-bedroom is $1,426/month, with a median salary of $82,920.

Where do Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operatorss get paid the most in nominal terms?

Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue pays the highest nominal median salary at $104,120/year, per BLS OEWS May 2024. But check the COL-adjusted column before accepting any relocation offer.

National salary breakdown for Computer Numerically Controlled Tool OperatorssView →How to become a computer numerically controlled tool operatorsGuide →Compare two cities side by sideCompare →