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Jobs Similar to Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators

Also called: CNC Operators

The careers below use the most similar skills, knowledge and work activities to computer numerically controlled tool operators, according to O*NET 31.0. The closest are Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic, Machinists and Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic.

Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators: $50,690 median pay · usual preparation: High school.

Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers

The 20 most similar careers

  1. 1Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

    85% similar · $52,800 (+4%) · High school

  2. 2Machinists

    83% similar · $58,750 (+16%) · Training or associate

  3. 3Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

    83% similar · $46,550 (−8%) · High school

  4. 4Textile Cutting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders

    83% similar · $38,760 (−24%) · High school

  5. 5Rolling Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

    82% similar · $50,140 (−1%) · High school

  6. 6Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

    82% similar · $49,080 (−3%) · High school

  7. 7Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

    81% similar · $49,030 (−3%) · High school

  8. 8Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners

    81% similar · $50,060 (−1%) · High school

  9. 9Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

    81% similar · $47,180 (−7%) · High school

  10. 10Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders

    81% similar · $45,760 (−10%) · High school · Same group

  11. 11Heat Treating Equipment Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

    81% similar · $48,750 (−4%) · High school

  12. 12Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

    81% similar · $44,350 (−13%) · High school

  13. 13Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders

    81% similar · $46,570 (−8%) · High school · Same group

  14. 14Industrial Machinery Mechanics

    81% similar · $64,520 (+27%) · Training or associate

  15. 15Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

    80% similar · $46,330 (−9%) · High school

  16. 16Adhesive Bonding Machine Operators and Tenders

    80% similar · $46,460 (−8%) · High school · Same group

  17. 17Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

    80% similar · $50,620 (0%) · High school

  18. 18Model Makers, Metal and Plastic

    80% similar · $63,340 (+25%) · Training or associate

  19. 19Tool and Die Makers

    79% similar · $64,050 (+26%) · Training or associate

  20. 20Textile Knitting and Weaving Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders

    79% similar · $39,530 (−22%) · High school

Similarity: weighted correlation of O*NET 31.0 transferable skills (35%), knowledge (25%), work activities (15%) and interests (15%). Pay and schooling do not change it. Pay change compares BLS May 2025 national medians; careers with only a broader BLS group wage are not compared. “Same group”: the same BLS occupation group (SOC minor group). Methodology

Similar jobs that pay more

Only careers that usually need no more preparation than computer numerically controlled tool operators.

Thinking of a career change?

Similar is not the same as a good next step. Our career-change list for computer numerically controlled tool operators also weighs pay drops and extra schooling, and puts jobs outside the field first.

Jobs for former computer numerically controlled tool operators →

Jobs that can lead here

Careers where computer numerically controlled tool operators is one of the best career-change matches (match score in brackets).

Questions about jobs like computer numerically controlled tool operators

What jobs are most similar to computer numerically controlled tool operators?

By O*NET 31.0 data, the closest are Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic (85% similar), Machinists (83% similar), Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic (83% similar), Textile Cutting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders (83% similar) and Rolling Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic (82% similar).

Which jobs like computer numerically controlled tool operators pay more?

Among the 20 most similar careers, Industrial Machinery Mechanics ($64,520, +27%; usually training or an associate degree), Tool and Die Makers ($64,050, +26%; usually training or an associate degree) and Model Makers (Metal and Plastic) ($63,340, +25%; usually training or an associate degree) have the highest BLS median pay compared with computer numerically controlled tool operators ($50,690). Without more preparation than computer numerically controlled tool operators usually need: Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic.

How is the similarity percentage worked out?

We compare how important each transferable skill, knowledge area, work activity and interest area is in both jobs (O*NET 31.0 ratings) with a weighted correlation. 100% would mean the same profile. Unlike our career-change matches, pay and extra schooling do not lower the similarity on this page.

Keep exploring

Sources. Skills, tasks and education: O*NET 31.0 Database, U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under CC BY 4.0. Pay: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Data Sources & Licenses