Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers Salary
Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers in California make a median of $82,090 a year, or about $39.47 an hour. The range runs from $56K at the entry level to $126K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 106.14), so that salary is closer to $77,341 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $2,471/month, about 47.9% of take-home, which is tight.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across California. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $82K get you in California?
About computer numerically controlled tool programmers
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What this looks like in California
California sits well above the national pay line for computer numerically controlled tool programmers, local pay runs about 21% higher than the U.S. median of $68K. The catch: housing math doesn't keep up. A 2-bedroom at the HUD median rents for $2,471/month, which is 47.5% of the median worker's take-home, past the 30% guideline most planners use. Cost-of-living overall is 6% above the national average (BEA RPP 106.14), so groceries and services cost more too. The pay premium is real, but so are the offsets.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, California
Entry-level computer numerically controlled tool programmers (10th percentile) start around $56K. Mid-career wages sit at $82K. Top earners bring in $126K or more, a $70K spread from bottom to top.
Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers salary by metro in California
7 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara | $103K | +25% | 420 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont | $94K | +14% | 260 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim | $83K | +1% | 1,350 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad | $80K | -3% | 270 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom | $74K | -10% | 70 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario | $70K | -14% | 270 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura | $66K | -20% | 80 |
Compare to other states
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Frequently asked questions
Can a computer numerically controlled tool programmer afford a 2BR apartment alone in California?
It’s a stretch — at the median salary of $82K, rent takes 47.5% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $2,471/month. The 30% guideline puts the comfortable ceiling at roughly $1,600/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 programmers in California?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new computer numerically controlled tool programmers typically earn — is $56K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $3,354/month. At HUD’s $2,471/month FMR, rent would take 74% 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 programmer a high-paying job in California?
Local pay is 21% above the national median — $82K here vs. $68K nationally. Keep in mind cost of living here is 6% above the national average, which offsets some of that premium.
How does California compare to the national average for computer numerically controlled tool programmers?
California pays $82K median vs. the U.S. average of $68K — that’s +21%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 106.14), the purchasing-power equivalent is $77K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do computer numerically controlled tool programmers make in California?
The median is $82,090 a year, that works out to about $39 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $55,900, and experienced computer numerically controlled tool programmers can clear $126,010. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $82K enough to live in California?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,197/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $2,471/month, which eats 47.5% 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 programmers salary go in California?
California has a Regional Price Parity of 106.14 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median computer numerically controlled tool programmers salary is worth about $77,341 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do computer numerically controlled tool programmers 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.