Salary guide, May 2025
CNC Programmer pay in Iowa
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 Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers in Iowa was $57,780 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025). The middle half of workers earned between $49,650 and $67,510.
The Iowa median is $10,340 below the national median of $68,120, both from BLS May 2025.
Direct match · SOC 51-9162 Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers
The CNC Programmer title maps to the published occupation. The duties align, but BLS combines employers and industries.
What should you know about iowa?
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $39,150 | $49,650 | $57,780 | $67,510 | $78,160 |
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $18.82 | $23.87 | $27.78 | $32.46 | $37.58 |
BLS estimated 640 workers employed in this occupation in Iowa. Location quotient: 2.24.
What should you know about united States?
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $47,530 | $58,270 | $68,120 | $81,890 | $100,320 |
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $22.85 | $28.01 | $32.75 | $39.37 | $48.23 |
What should you know about two BLS releases?
| Release period | 25th | Median | 75th |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 2024 | $46,340 | $56,660 | $64,800 |
| May 2025 | $49,650 | $57,780 | $67,510 |
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 51-9162 Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers, Iowa. 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 51-9162 Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers, U.S.. Official occupation data · Official area tables. Released 2026-05-15.
What should you know about nearby areas?
| Area | Median | 25th to 75th |
|---|---|---|
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $67,650 | $59,770 to $80,810 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $60,330 | $54,990 to $64,820 |
All roles in Iowa · National page · CNC Programmer ranked across metros