Salary guide, May 2025
CNC Setup Machinist pay in Boulder, CO
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 Operators in Boulder, CO was $58,980 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025). The middle half of workers earned between $52,460 and $74,190.
The Boulder, CO median is $8,290 above the national median of $50,690, both from BLS May 2025.
Broader occupation · SOC 51-9161 Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators
The CNC Setup Machinist title maps to the published occupation. BLS does not separate this process, credential, shift or plant-specific title from other work in the occupation.
What should you know about boulder, CO?
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $47,840 | $52,460 | $58,980 | $74,190 | $83,660 |
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $23.00 | $25.22 | $28.36 | $35.67 | $40.22 |
BLS estimated 120 workers employed in this occupation in Boulder, CO. Location quotient: 0.57.
What should you know about united States?
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $38,140 | $44,930 | $50,690 | $61,760 | $73,890 |
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $18.34 | $21.60 | $24.37 | $29.69 | $35.53 |
What should you know about role pay against all occupations here?
The published CNC Setup Machinist median is $58,980. The all-occupations median in Boulder, CO is $69,580. Ratio: 0.85 (role median divided by all-occupations median, same units, BLS May 2025). Location quotient 0.57 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 | $49,400 | $57,130 | $61,640 |
| May 2025 | $52,460 | $58,980 | $74,190 |
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 51-9161 Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators, Boulder, CO. 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 51-9161 Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators, U.S.. Official occupation data · Official area tables. Released 2026-05-15.
What should you know about nearby areas?
| Area | Median | 25th to 75th |
|---|---|---|
| Fort Collins-Loveland, CO | $51,590 | $47,170 to $59,630 |
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | $56,770 | $47,050 to $65,030 |
All roles in Boulder, CO · National page · CNC Setup Machinist ranked across metros