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COL-adjusted ranking

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

The cities that pay Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmerss the most on paper aren't usually the best deals once rent and prices are factored in. Wichita ranks first with a COL-adjusted equivalent of $103,586/year, better purchasing power than San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara's higher nominal pay of $97,930. The table below uses BLS OEWS May 2024 salary data and BEA Regional Price Parities.

Highest nominal pay

#1 San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara$97,930
#2 San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont$92,600
#3 Wichita$92,140

Best purchasing power

#1 Wichita$103,586
#2 San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara$88,689
#3 St. Louis$84,804

Top 25 metros by purchasing power

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

Rank
Metro
Nominal
COL-adj.
#1
Wichita
14% rent burden
$92,140
$103,586
#2
$97,930
$88,689
#3
St. Louis
18% rent burden
$80,640
$84,804
#4
$89,860
$80,860
#5
$92,600
$80,097
#6
$82,160
$79,961
#7
Buffalo-Cheektowaga
22% rent burden
$73,110
$76,283
#8
Tulsa
22% rent burden
$67,130
$75,249
#9
$78,780
$75,157
#10
$81,000
$74,813
#11
$71,290
$72,693
#12
$75,860
$71,960
#13
Cincinnati
24% rent burden
$68,080
$71,385
#14
$66,140
$71,356
#15
$79,770
$71,293
#16
Winston-Salem
23% rent burden
$65,440
$71,100
#17
Kansas City
25% rent burden
$65,120
$70,370
#18
Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler
31% rent burden
$72,040
$69,725
#19
Providence-Warwick
29% rent burden
$70,650
$69,421
#20
Greensboro-High Point
25% rent burden
$64,240
$69,179
#21
$78,530
$69,147
#22
Akron
24% rent burden
$64,250
$68,812
#23
$70,550
$68,435
#24
$67,840
$67,799
#25
$66,750
$67,677

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 Programmerss?

COL-adjusted pay divides the BLS median salary by the BEA Regional Price Parity index (100 = national average). A salary of $97,930 in a city with RPP 120 has the same purchasing power as $81,608 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 programmers 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 Programmerss?

Wichita has one of the lowest rent burdens for Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmerss in this dataset. HUD FMR for a 2-bedroom is $1,099/month, with a median salary of $92,140.

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

San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara pays the highest nominal median salary at $97,930/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 ProgrammerssView →How to become a computer numerically controlled tool programmersGuide →Compare two cities side by sideCompare →