Skip to content
AffordMap
Salary comparison

Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers vs. Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators: Who Earns More?

Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers out-earn Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators by $23K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers land at $68,120 and Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators at $44,650. The education gap is real: computer numerically controlled tool programmer programs typically require high school diploma or equivalent, while miscellaneous assemblers and fabricator programs require high school diploma or equivalent. Top-paying state for Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers is Connecticut ($86,390); for Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators it's District of Columbia ($50,330).

Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers
Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators
Median salary
$68,120
$44,650
Hourly rate
$32.75/hr
$21.47/hr
Entry level (10th %)
$47,530
$33,280
Senior level (90th %)
$100,320
$64,880
Education required
High school diploma or equivalent
High school diploma or equivalent
U.S. employment
28,500
1,405,030
Job growth (10-year)
12.8%
-0.1%
Category
Production & Manufacturing
Production & Manufacturing
Top-paying state
Connecticut
District of Columbia

Pay by state

States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers median pay.

State
Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers
Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators
California
$82,090
$47,720
Massachusetts
$81,670
$46,720
Washington
$81,420
$48,260
Missouri
$78,130
$46,480
North Dakota
$75,990
$47,250
Oregon
$75,150
$46,910
Minnesota
$74,190
$46,920
Maine
$72,920
$45,970
New Hampshire
$71,680
$46,940
Colorado
$69,570
$46,150
Wisconsin
$67,460
$45,670
Kentucky
$64,980
$47,950
Ohio
$60,080
$45,720
Iowa
$57,780
$48,920
Nevada
$57,210
$49,050

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.

Common questions

Who earns more, Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers or Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators?

Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers earn more nationally. The median is $68,120 for Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers versus $44,650 for Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators, a difference of $23K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.

Which has better job growth, Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers or Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators?

Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers has the better 10-year outlook at 12.8% projected growth, compared to -0.1% for the other field. Both are from BLS Employment Projections.

Which requires more education, Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers or Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators?

Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers typically requires high school diploma or equivalent. Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators requires high school diploma or equivalent. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.

Where do Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers get paid the most?

Connecticut is the top-paying state for Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers at $86,390/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.

How does Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers vs. Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators pay differ by state?

The gap varies significantly by state. In California, Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers earn $82,090 vs. $47,720 for Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.

Full Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers salary breakdownView →Full Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators salary breakdownView →Best cities for Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers by take-home payExplore →Best cities for Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators by take-home payExplore →How to become a computer numerically controlled tool programmersGuide →How to become a miscellaneous assemblers and fabricatorsGuide →