Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers Salary
Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers in Iowa make a median of $57,780 a year, or about $27.78 an hour. The range runs from $39K at the entry level to $78K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 88.86), which stretches that salary to about $65,024 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,064/month, or 28% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Iowa. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $58K get you in Iowa?
About computer numerically controlled tool programmers
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What this looks like in Iowa
Pay for computer numerically controlled tool programmers in Iowa runs about 15% below the U.S. median of $68K. Rent runs $1,064/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 28% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Regional Price Parity sits at 88.86 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 11% cheaper here. Your dollar stretches further than the headline salary suggests. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Iowa
Entry-level computer numerically controlled tool programmers (10th percentile) start around $39K. Mid-career wages sit at $58K. Top earners bring in $78K or more, a $39K spread from bottom to top.
Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers salary by metro in Iowa
5 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Des Moines-West Des Moines | $68K | +17% | 80 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls | $60K | +4% | 60 |
| Cedar Rapids | $59K | +2% | 40 |
| Dubuque | $56K | -3% | 50 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island | $46K | -20% | 90 |
Compare to other states
Track computer numerically controlled tool programmers salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Iowa numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a computer numerically controlled tool programmer afford a 2BR apartment alone in Iowa?
Yes — at the median salary of $58K, rent takes 28% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,064/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for computer numerically controlled tool programmers in Iowa?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new computer numerically controlled tool programmers typically earn — is $39K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $2,349/month. At HUD’s $1,064/month FMR, rent would take 45% 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 Iowa?
Local pay runs 15% below the national median — $58K here vs. $68K nationally. Cost of living is 11% below the national average, which narrows that gap in real purchasing power.
How does Iowa compare to the national average for computer numerically controlled tool programmers?
Iowa pays $58K median vs. the U.S. average of $68K — that’s -15%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 88.86), the purchasing-power equivalent is $65K — below the national median.
How much do computer numerically controlled tool programmers make in Iowa?
The median is $57,780 a year, that works out to about $28 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $39,150, and experienced computer numerically controlled tool programmers can clear $78,160. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $58K enough to live in Iowa?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,800/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,064/month, which eats 28% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a computer numerically controlled tool programmers salary go in Iowa?
Iowa has a Regional Price Parity of 88.86 (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 programmers salary is worth about $65,024 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.