Salary guide, May 2025
CNC Programmer pay in Kentucky
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 Kentucky was $64,980 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025). The middle half of workers earned between $57,400 and $75,340.
The Kentucky median is $3,140 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 kentucky?
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $50,550 | $57,400 | $64,980 | $75,340 | $109,400 |
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $24.30 | $27.60 | $31.24 | $36.22 | $52.60 |
BLS estimated 230 workers employed in this occupation in Kentucky. Location quotient: 0.64.
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 | $50,920 | $59,760 | $70,730 |
| May 2025 | $57,400 | $64,980 | $75,340 |
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, Kentucky. 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $61,600 | $53,560 to $72,110 |
| Bowling Green, KY | $58,800 | $57,960 to $86,330 |
All roles in Kentucky · National page · CNC Programmer ranked across metros