Jobs Similar to Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers
Also called: CNC Programmers
The careers below use the most similar skills, knowledge and work activities to computer numerically controlled tool programmers, according to O*NET 31.0. The closest are Robotics Engineers, Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators and Nanotechnology Engineering Technologists and Technicians.
Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers: $68,120 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
| # | Career | Similarity | Median pay (vs. Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers) | Usual preparation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Robotics Engineers | 73% | $122,930Broader BLS group · not compared | Bachelor's degree |
| 2 | Computer Numerically Controlled Tool OperatorsSame group | 73% | $50,690−26% | High school |
| 3 | Nanotechnology Engineering Technologists and Technicians | 70% | $66,120Broader BLS group · not compared | Bachelor's degree |
| 4 | Model Makers, Metal and Plastic | 70% | $63,340−7% | Training or associate |
| 5 | Tool and Die Makers | 70% | $64,050−6% | Training or associate |
| 6 | Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | 69% | $130,220+91% | Bachelor's degree |
| 7 | Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians | 69% | $74,510+9% | Training or associate |
| 8 | Patternmakers, Metal and Plastic | 69% | $58,000−15% | Training or associate |
| 9 | Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians | 68% | $82,890+22% | Training or associate |
| 10 | Network and Computer Systems Administrators | 67% | $99,130+46% | Training or associate |
| 11 | Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | 67% | $52,800−22% | High school |
| 12 | Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians | 66% | $73,900+8% | Training or associate |
| 13 | Fuel Cell Engineers | 66% | $104,110Broader BLS group · not compared | Bachelor's degree |
| 14 | Robotics Technicians | 66% | $73,900Broader BLS group · not compared | Training or associate |
| 15 | Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians | 66% | $66,120−3% | Training or associate |
| 16 | Mechanical Engineers | 65% | $104,110+53% | Bachelor's degree |
| 17 | Non-Destructive Testing Specialists | 65% | $78,350Broader BLS group · not compared | High school |
| 18 | Microsystems Engineers | 65% | $122,930Broader BLS group · not compared | Graduate degree |
| 19 | Automotive Engineering Technicians | 65% | $74,510Broader BLS group · not compared | Training or associate |
| 20 | Mechatronics Engineers | 65% | $122,930Broader BLS group · not compared | Bachelor's degree |
- 1Robotics Engineers
73% similar · $122,930 (broader group) · Bachelor's degree
- 2Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators
73% similar · $50,690 (−26%) · High school · Same group
- 3Nanotechnology Engineering Technologists and Technicians
70% similar · $66,120 (broader group) · Bachelor's degree
- 4Model Makers, Metal and Plastic
70% similar · $63,340 (−7%) · Training or associate
- 5Tool and Die Makers
70% similar · $64,050 (−6%) · Training or associate
- 6Electronics Engineers, Except Computer
69% similar · $130,220 (+91%) · Bachelor's degree
- 7Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians
69% similar · $74,510 (+9%) · Training or associate
- 8Patternmakers, Metal and Plastic
69% similar · $58,000 (−15%) · Training or associate
- 9Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians
68% similar · $82,890 (+22%) · Training or associate
- 10Network and Computer Systems Administrators
67% similar · $99,130 (+46%) · Training or associate
- 11Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
67% similar · $52,800 (−22%) · High school
- 12Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians
66% similar · $73,900 (+8%) · Training or associate
- 13Fuel Cell Engineers
66% similar · $104,110 (broader group) · Bachelor's degree
- 14Robotics Technicians
66% similar · $73,900 (broader group) · Training or associate
- 15Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians
66% similar · $66,120 (−3%) · Training or associate
- 16Mechanical Engineers
65% similar · $104,110 (+53%) · Bachelor's degree
- 17Non-Destructive Testing Specialists
65% similar · $78,350 (broader group) · High school
- 18Microsystems Engineers
65% similar · $122,930 (broader group) · Graduate degree
- 19Automotive Engineering Technicians
65% similar · $74,510 (broader group) · Training or associate
- 20Mechatronics Engineers
65% similar · $122,930 (broader group) · Bachelor's degree
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
Thinking of a career change?
Similar is not the same as a good next step. Our career-change list for computer numerically controlled tool programmers also weighs pay drops and extra schooling, and puts jobs outside the field first.
Jobs for former computer numerically controlled tool programmers →
Jobs that can lead here
Careers where computer numerically controlled tool programmers is one of the best career-change matches (match score in brackets).
Questions about jobs like computer numerically controlled tool programmers
What jobs are most similar to computer numerically controlled tool programmers?
By O*NET 31.0 data, the closest are Robotics Engineers (73% similar), Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators (73% similar), Nanotechnology Engineering Technologists and Technicians (70% similar), Model Makers (Metal and Plastic) (70% similar) and Tool and Die Makers (70% similar).
Which jobs like computer numerically controlled tool programmers pay more?
Among the 20 most similar careers, Electronics Engineers ($130,220, +91%; usually a bachelor's degree), Mechanical Engineers ($104,110, +53%; usually a bachelor's degree) and Network and Computer Systems Administrators ($99,130, +46%; usually training or an associate degree) have the highest BLS median pay compared with computer numerically controlled tool programmers ($68,120).
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.