CNC Machinist Technology: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
CNC Machinist Technology is a hands-on, industry-aligned program designed to equip students with the technical expertise and practical skills needed to operate, maintain, and program computer numerical control (CNC) machinery in modern manufacturing environments. Graduates emerge as proficient technicians capable of interpreting engineering drawings, setting up precision equipment, and ensuring high-quality production across diverse industrial sectors.
- Computer-Aided Manufacturing (CAM): Learn to generate toolpaths and machine code using industry-standard software to automate machining processes with precision and efficiency.
- Blueprint Reading and Technical Drawing: Develop the ability to interpret complex engineering schematics, dimensioning standards, and geometric tolerances to guide accurate part production.
- Machining Processes and Tooling: Gain in-depth knowledge of milling, turning, drilling, and grinding operations, including selection and application of cutting tools, fixtures, and workholding methods.
- CNC Programming and Setup: Master both manual and automated programming techniques using G-code and M-code, with emphasis on optimizing machine performance and minimizing material waste.
- Quality Assurance and Metrology: Apply measurement techniques and inspection tools—such as calipers, micrometers, and coordinate measuring machines (CMMs)—to verify dimensional accuracy and compliance with specifications.
- Machine Maintenance and Troubleshooting: Acquire skills in preventive maintenance, diagnostics, and repair of CNC systems to ensure operational reliability and reduce downtime.
CNC Machinist Technology Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
CNC Machinist Technology Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with CNC Machinist Technology degrees, including First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives, First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers and Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Teachers, Postsecondary. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 585,460 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives 33-1012 | $105,980 | $62,370 - $165,050 | 153,130 | $50.95 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers 33-1011 | $76,310 | $50,340 - $125,170 | 53,390 | $36.69 |
| Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1111 | $71,470 | $45,640 - $143,130 | 13,560 | N/A |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers 33-3012 | $57,970 | $41,750 - $93,000 | 365,380 | $27.87 |
CNC Machinist Technology Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $52,478 in Arkansas to $130,550 in California—a 149% difference. The highest-paying states include California, New Jersey, and Alaska. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 585,460 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for CNC Machinist Technology by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 100 institutions offering CNC Machinist Technology programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in CNC Machinist Technology is found at Rio Salado College (1,286 graduates), Trinity Valley Community College (TVCC) (684 graduates), Community College of Baltimore County (CCBC) (370 graduates), Tallahassee Community College (TCC) (165 graduates), and Camden County College (CCC) (145 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 4,894 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
| College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rio Salado College |
Associate's
Other Award
|
1,286 | Tempe, Arizona | Public | rio.maricopa.edu |
| Trinity Valley Community College (TVCC) |
Residency
|
684 | Athens, Texas | Public | tvcc.edu |
| Community College of Baltimore County (CCBC) |
Other Award
|
370 | Baltimore, Maryland | Public | ccbcmd.edu |
| Tallahassee Community College (TCC) |
Residency
Other Award
|
165 | Tallahassee, Florida | Public | tcc.fl.edu |
| Camden County College (CCC) |
Other Award
|
145 | Blackwood, New Jersey | Public | camdencc.edu |
| Moreno Valley College (MVC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
112 | Moreno Valley, California | Public | mvc.edu |
| Southwestern Illinois College (SWIC) |
Other Award
|
104 | Belleville, Illinois | Public | swic.edu |
| University of New Mexico (UNM) |
Bachelor's
|
101 | Albuquerque, New Mexico | Public | unm.edu |
| Chipola College (CJC) |
Other Award
|
96 | Marianna, Florida | Public | chipola.edu |
| Northwest Florida State College (NWFSC) |
Other Award
|
86 | Niceville, Florida | Public | nwfsc.edu |
| Southeast Missouri State University (SEMO) |
Bachelor's
Other Award
|
82 | Cape Girardeau, Missouri | Public | semo.edu |
| Florida Panhandle Technical College (FPTC) |
Other Award
|
76 | Chipley, Florida | Public | fptc.edu |
| Florida Gateway College (FGC) |
Residency
Other Award
|
71 | Lake City, Florida | Public | fgc.edu |
| Broward College (BC) |
Other Award
|
63 | Fort Lauderdale, Florida | Public | broward.edu |
| East Los Angeles College (ELAC) |
Other Award
|
60 | Monterey Park, California | Public | elac.edu |
| Fort Myers Technical College (FMTC) |
Other Award
|
59 | Fort Myers, Florida | Public | fortmyerstech.edu |
| Withlacoochee Technical College (WTC) |
Residency
Other Award
|
59 | Inverness, Florida | Public | wtcollege.org |
| Santa Rosa Junior College (SRJC) |
Residency
Other Award
|
57 | Santa Rosa, California | Public | santarosa.edu |
| Polk State College |
Other Award
|
57 | Winter Haven, Florida | Public | polk.edu |
| Langston University (LU) |
Associate's
Bachelor's
|
55 | Langston, Oklahoma | Public | langston.edu |
| Valencia College |
Other Award
|
52 | Orlando, Florida | Public | valenciacollege.edu |
| George Stone Technical College |
Other Award
|
51 | Pensacola, Florida | Public | georgestonecollege.edu |
| Florida State College (FSCJ) |
Other Award
|
46 | Jacksonville, Florida | Public | fscj.edu |
| Sinclair Community College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
40 | Dayton, Ohio | Public | sinclair.edu |
| Pasco-Hernando State College (PHSC) |
Residency
Other Award
|
38 | New Port Richey, Florida | Public | phsc.edu |
| Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) |
Bachelor's
Other Award
|
37 | Richmond, Kentucky | Public | eku.edu |
| St Petersburg College (SPC) |
Other Award
|
36 | St. Petersburg, Florida | Public | spcollege.edu |
| Estrella Mountain Community College (EMCC) |
Other Award
|
34 | Avondale, Arizona | Public | estrellamountain.edu |
| Gulf Coast State College (GCSC) |
Other Award
|
33 | Panama City, Florida | Public | gulfcoast.edu |
| Suncoast Technical College (STC) |
Other Award
|
30 | Sarasota, Florida | Public | sarasotacountyschools.net |
| Indian River State College (IRSC) |
Residency
Other Award
|
28 | Fort Pierce, Florida | Public | irsc.edu |
| Holmes Community College |
Associate's
|
27 | Goodman, Mississippi | Public | holmescc.edu |
| Mesa Community College (MCC) |
Other Award
|
26 | Mesa, Arizona | Public | mesacc.edu |
| Lake Technical College (Lake Tech) |
Other Award
|
25 | Eustis, Florida | Public | laketech.org |
| Delta College |
Associate's
Residency
Other Award
|
25 | University Center, Michigan | Public | delta.edu |
| Wytheville Community College (WCC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
23 | Wytheville, Virginia | Public | wcc.vccs.edu |
| Miami Dade College (MDC) |
Other Award
|
22 | Miami, Florida | Public | mdc.edu |
| South Florida State College (SFSC) |
Other Award
|
22 | Avon Park, Florida | Public | southflorida.edu |
| College of Central Florida (CF) |
Other Award
|
19 | Ocala, Florida | Public | cf.edu |
| Palm Beach State College (PBSC) |
Other Award
|
17 | Lake Worth, Florida | Public | palmbeachstate.edu |
| Baker College |
Associate's
Bachelor's
|
17 | Owosso, Michigan | Private | baker.edu |
| Santa Ana College (SAC) |
Other Award
|
16 | Santa Ana, California | Public | sac.edu |
| Minnesota State University |
Bachelor's
|
15 | Mankato, Minnesota | Public | mnsu.edu |
| University of Pittsburgh |
Bachelor's
|
15 | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | Public | pitt.edu |
| Mid-State Technical College (Mid-State) |
Associate's
|
15 | Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin | Public | mstc.edu |
| Citrus College |
Associate's
Other Award
|
14 | Glendora, California | Public | citruscollege.edu |
| Imperial Valley College (IVC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
13 | Imperial, California | Public | imperial.edu |
| Rend Lake College (RLC) |
Other Award
|
13 | Ina, Illinois | Public | rlc.edu |
| Northeast Wisconsin Technical College (NWTC) |
Residency
|
13 | Green Bay, Wisconsin | Public | nwtc.edu |
| North Central State College |
Associate's
|
12 | Mansfield, Ohio | Public | ncstatecollege.edu |
| Eastern Florida State College (EFSC) |
Residency
Other Award
|
11 | Melbourne, Florida | Public | easternflorida.edu |
| Austin Community College District (ACC) |
Associate's
|
11 | Austin, Texas | Public | austincc.edu |
| Lamar State College (LSCO) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Other Award
|
11 | Orange, Texas | Public | lsco.edu |
| Blue Ridge Community and Technical College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
11 | Martinsburg, West Virginia | Public | blueridgectc.edu |
| Scottsdale Community College (SCC) |
Other Award
|
10 | Scottsdale, Arizona | Public | scottsdalecc.edu |
| Saint Johns River State College (SJR) |
Other Award
|
10 | Palatka, Florida | Public | sjrstate.edu |
| Bay de Noc Community College (Bay College) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
10 | Escanaba, Michigan | Public | baycollege.edu |
| Missouri Valley College (MVC) |
Bachelor's
|
10 | Marshall, Missouri | Private | moval.edu |
| Washington State Community College (WSCC) |
Other Award
|
10 | Marietta, Ohio | Public | wscc.edu |
| Green River College (GRC) |
Other Award
|
10 | Auburn, Washington | Public | greenriver.edu |
| Chaffey College |
Associate's
Other Award
|
9 | Rancho Cucamonga, California | Public | chaffey.edu |
| Fresno City College (FCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
9 | Fresno, California | Public | fresnocitycollege.edu |
| Reedley College |
Associate's
Other Award
|
9 | Reedley, California | Public | reedleycollege.edu |
| Daytona State College (DSC) |
Other Award
|
9 | Daytona Beach, Florida | Public | daytonastate.edu |
| San Joaquin Delta College |
Associate's
Other Award
|
8 | Stockton, California | Public | deltacollege.edu |
| Solano Community College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
8 | Fairfield, California | Public | welcome.solano.edu |
| Columbiana County Career and Technical Center (CCCTC) |
Other Award
|
8 | Lisbon, Ohio | Public | ccctc.k12.oh.us |
| San Antonio College (SAC) |
Associate's
|
8 | San Antonio, Texas | Public | alamo.edu |
| Mountain Empire Community College (MECC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
8 | Big Stone Gap, Virginia | Public | mecc.edu |
| Nicolet Area Technical College |
Other Award
|
8 | Rhinelander, Wisconsin | Public | nicoletcollege.edu |
| Lemoore College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
8 | Lemoore, California | Public | westhillscollege.com |
| Metropolitan State University |
Other Award
|
7 | Saint Paul, Minnesota | Public | metrostate.edu |
| Northeast Community College |
Associate's
|
7 | Norfolk, Nebraska | Public | northeast.edu |
| Arkansas State University (ASU-Beebe) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Other Award
|
6 | Beebe, Arkansas | Public | asub.edu |
| Diablo Valley College (DVC) |
Other Award
|
6 | Pleasant Hill, California | Public | dvc.edu |
| University of Pikeville (UPIKE) |
Other Award
|
6 | Pikeville, Kentucky | Private | upike.edu |
| Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College (MGCCC) |
Associate's
|
6 | Perkinston, Mississippi | Public | mgccc.edu |
| Metropolitan Community College (MCC-KC) |
Associate's
|
6 | Kansas City, Missouri | Public | mcckc.edu |
| University of New Mexico (UNM) |
Associate's
|
6 | Gallup, New Mexico | Public | gallup.unm.edu |
| University of the Southwest (USW) |
Bachelor's
|
6 | Hobbs, New Mexico | Private | usw.edu |
| Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT) |
Other Award
|
6 | Paris, Tennessee | Public | tcathenrycarroll.edu |
| Rio Hondo College (RHC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
5 | Whittier, California | Public | riohondo.edu |
| College of the Sequoias (COS) |
Associate's
|
5 | Visalia, California | Public | cos.edu |
| North Idaho College (NIC) |
Other Award
|
5 | Coeur d'Alene, Idaho | Public | nic.edu |
| Kellogg Community College (KCC) |
Other Award
|
5 | Battle Creek, Michigan | Public | kellogg.edu |
| Lorain County Community College (LCCC) |
Associate's
|
5 | Elyria, Ohio | Public | lorainccc.edu |
| Central Arizona College (CAC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
4 | Coolidge, Arizona | Public | centralaz.edu |
| Coalinga College |
Associate's
|
4 | Coalinga, California | Public | westhillscollege.com |
| Ivy Tech Community College (Ivy Tech) |
Other Award
|
4 | Indianapolis, Indiana | Public | ivytech.edu |
| Washburn University (WU) |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Topeka, Kansas | Public | washburn.edu |
| Montcalm Community College (MCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
4 | Sidney, Michigan | Public | montcalm.edu |
| Oakland Community College (OCC) |
Associate's
|
4 | Auburn Hills, Michigan | Public | oaklandcc.edu |
| Chemeketa Community College |
Associate's
|
4 | Salem, Oregon | Public | chemeketa.edu |
| Phoenix College (PC) |
Other Award
|
3 | Phoenix, Arizona | Public | phoenixcollege.edu |
| Cabrillo College |
Associate's
|
3 | Aptos, California | Public | cabrillo.edu |
| College of the Desert (COD) |
Other Award
|
3 | Palm Desert, California | Public | collegeofthedesert.edu |
| Southeastern Illinois College (SIC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
3 | Harrisburg, Illinois | Public | sic.edu |
| Jackson College |
Associate's
Other Award
|
3 | Jackson, Michigan | Public | jccmi.edu |
| Lake Superior State University (LSSU) |
Associate's
|
3 | Sault Ste Marie, Michigan | Public | lssu.edu |
| Century College |
Other Award
|
3 | White Bear Lake, Minnesota | Public | century.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about CNC Machinist Technology programs
How much can I earn with a CNC Machinist Technology degree?
Salaries for CNC Machinist Technology graduates vary by role and location. First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives earn a median of $105,980 annually, while First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers earn around $76,310. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in California average $130,550 compared to $52,478 in Arkansas. Approximately 585,460 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest CNC Machinist Technology programs?
Currently 144 accredited institutions offer CNC Machinist Technology degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Rio Salado College (1,286 graduates), Trinity Valley Community College (TVCC) (684 graduates), and Community College of Baltimore County (CCBC) (370 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
Is enrollment in CNC Machinist Technology growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 4,314 in 2010 to 4,967 in 2023-24. This represents a 15% increase overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with steady interest, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.
Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.
What career paths are available with a CNC Machinist Technology degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives, First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers, and Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Teachers, Postsecondary. Related occupations employ approximately 585,460 professionals nationwide.
Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
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