Salary guide, May 2025
CNC Machine Operator pay in Bowling Green, KY
Manufacturing Headhunters uses the published BLS OEWS figures below. They describe the mapped occupation and area, not an individual offer.
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The median annual wage for Machinists in Bowling Green, KY was $51,730 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025). The middle half of workers earned between $50,810 and $60,000.
The Bowling Green, KY median is $7,020 below the national median of $58,750, both from BLS May 2025.
Direct match · SOC 51-4041 Machinists
CNC Machine Operator is shown within the broader published occupation. BLS does not separate this plant-specific title, seniority, shift, process or credential. Compare the duties with the SOC definition before using the range.
What should you know about bowling Green, KY?
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $40,050 | $50,810 | $51,730 | $60,000 | $66,180 |
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $19.26 | $24.43 | $24.87 | $28.85 | $31.82 |
BLS estimated 260 workers employed in this occupation in Bowling Green, KY. Location quotient: 1.74.
What should you know about united States?
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $39,200 | $47,570 | $58,750 | $67,700 | $80,010 |
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $18.85 | $22.87 | $28.24 | $32.55 | $38.47 |
What should you know about role pay against all occupations here?
The published CNC Machine Operator median is $51,730. The all-occupations median in Bowling Green, KY is $45,040. Ratio: 1.15 (role median divided by all-occupations median, same units, BLS May 2025). Location quotient 1.74 measures how concentrated this occupation's employment is here against the nation. It is not a wage index.
What should you know about two BLS releases?
| Release period | 25th | Median | 75th |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 2024 | $48,970 | $56,230 | $58,120 |
| May 2025 | $50,810 | $51,730 | $60,000 |
These are two separate BLS estimates from different survey panels. The workers and employers behind them differ, so the gap is not like-for-like pay for the same workers and is not a growth rate. We show no percentage change.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. SOC 51-4041 Machinists, Bowling Green, KY. Official occupation data · Official area tables. Released 2026-05-15.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. SOC 51-4041 Machinists, U.S.. Official occupation data · Official area tables. Released 2026-05-15.
What should you know about nearby areas?
| Area | Median | 25th to 75th |
|---|---|---|
| Elizabethtown, KY | $57,480 | $42,950 to $63,970 |
| Owensboro, KY | $47,170 | $41,790 to $62,580 |
All roles in Bowling Green, KY · National page · CNC Machine Operator ranked across metros