Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators Salary
Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators in Tennessee make a median of $49,980 a year, or about $24.03 an hour. The range runs from $38K at the entry level to $65K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 89.78), which stretches that salary to about $55,669 in buying power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,215/month, about 33.8% of take-home, which is tight.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Tennessee. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $50K get you in Tennessee?
About computer numerically controlled tool operators
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What this looks like in Tennessee
Computer numerically controlled tool operators pay in Tennessee tracks closely to the national median, $50K locally vs. $51K nationwide, a 1% difference. Rent runs $1,215/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 34.6% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Regional Price Parity sits at 89.78 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 10% cheaper here. Your dollar stretches further than the headline salary suggests. Pay and costs are both near average, leaving limited margin for savings at the median wage.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Tennessee
Entry-level computer numerically controlled tool operators (10th percentile) start around $38K. Mid-career wages sit at $50K. Top earners bring in $65K or more, a $27K spread from bottom to top.
Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators salary by metro in Tennessee
10 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Morristown | $63K | +26% | 70 |
| Memphis | $59K | +19% | 690 |
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin | $54K | +7% | 410 |
| Jackson | $50K | +1% | 60 |
| Knoxville | $49K | -2% | 260 |
| Clarksville | $49K | -3% | 60 |
| Kingsport-Bristol | $49K | -3% | 80 |
| Cleveland | $48K | -4% | 80 |
| Chattanooga | $48K | -4% | 170 |
| Johnson City | $45K | -9% | 50 |
Compare to other states
Track computer numerically controlled tool operators salary changes
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Frequently asked questions
Can a computer numerically controlled tool operator afford a 2BR apartment alone in Tennessee?
It’s a stretch — at the median salary of $50K, rent takes 34.6% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,215/month. The 30% guideline puts the comfortable ceiling at roughly $1,100/month in rent — so roommates or a 1-bedroom would ease the math significantly.
What’s the entry-level salary for computer numerically controlled tool operators in Tennessee?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new computer numerically controlled tool operators typically earn — is $38K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $2,280/month. At HUD’s $1,215/month FMR, rent would take 53% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is computer numerically controlled tool operator a high-paying job in Tennessee?
Pay here is roughly in line with the national average — $50K locally vs. $51K nationally, a 1% difference.
How does Tennessee compare to the national average for computer numerically controlled tool operators?
Tennessee pays $50K median vs. the U.S. average of $51K — that’s -1%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 89.78), the purchasing-power equivalent is $56K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do computer numerically controlled tool operators make in Tennessee?
The median is $49,980 a year, that works out to about $24 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $38,000, and experienced computer numerically controlled tool operators can clear $64,620. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $50K enough to live in Tennessee?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,516/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,215/month, which eats 34.6% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb, housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a computer numerically controlled tool operators salary go in Tennessee?
Tennessee has a Regional Price Parity of 89.78 (100 is the national average). That's below average, your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median computer numerically controlled tool operators salary is worth about $55,669 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do computer numerically controlled tool operators get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.