Salary guide, May 2025
CNC Machine Operator pay in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
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 Durham-Chapel Hill, NC was $50,740 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025). The middle half of workers earned between $45,760 and $62,040.
The Durham-Chapel Hill, NC median is $8,010 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 durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $38,690 | $45,760 | $50,740 | $62,040 | $71,480 |
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $18.60 | $22.00 | $24.40 | $29.83 | $34.37 |
BLS estimated 220 workers employed in this occupation in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC. Location quotient: 0.35.
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 $50,740. The all-occupations median in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC is $60,720. Ratio: 0.84 (role median divided by all-occupations median, same units, BLS May 2025). Location quotient 0.35 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 | $47,990 | $55,460 | $64,990 |
| May 2025 | $45,760 | $50,740 | $62,040 |
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, Durham-Chapel Hill, NC. 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Burlington, NC | $56,460 | $47,470 to $61,200 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | $52,270 | $45,850 to $60,320 |
All roles in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC · National page · CNC Machine Operator ranked across metros