SOC 51-9162 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers — California
California · 7 metro areas compared
In California the median wage for Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers is $82,090 a year, which is 20.5% higher than the national figure of $68,120.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
In California the median wage for Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers is $82,090 a year, which is 20.5% higher than the national figure of $68,120. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $66,440 and $102,980. The lowest tenth earn under $55,900, while the highest tenth earn more than $126,010.
The area has 2,990 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 0.2 of every thousand jobs. California ranks number 2nd out of 43 states by median pay for this occupation. Within the state, San Jose records the highest median at $102,980. Of the 793 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 295th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $55,900 | −17.9% |
| 25th | $66,440 | −2.5% |
| Median (50th) | $82,090 | +20.5% |
| 75th | $102,980 | +51.2% |
| 90th | $126,010 | +85.0% |
| Mean | $87,180 | +28.0% |
Highest-paying metro areas in California
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Jose | $102,980 | 420 | |
| 2 | San Francisco | $93,640 | 260 | |
| 3 | Los Angeles | $82,950 | 1,350 | |
| 4 | San Diego | $79,990 | 270 | |
| 5 | Sacramento | $73,920 | 70 | |
| 6 | Riverside | $70,230 | 270 | |
| 7 | Oxnard | $65,500 | 80 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in California run 10.7% above the national average, so the median of $82,090 buys what $74,155 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way the gap against the national median narrows to 8.9% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$82,090as reported by BLSLocal price level
110.7US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$74,155US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $82,090 a year, 20.5% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $55,900 to $126,010 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 2,990 jobs in this occupation.
- It ranks 2nd of 43 states for this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is San Jose, at $102,980.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers in California?
The median annual wage is $82,090, or $39.47 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $68,120, so pay in California is 20.5% higher. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in California earns more than $126,010 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $55,900 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in San Jose, at $102,980 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 2,990 jobs in this occupation in California. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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