Salary guide, May 2025
CNC Setup Machinist pay in Columbia, SC
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The median annual wage for Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators in Columbia, SC was $51,530 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025). The middle half of workers earned between $42,640 and $60,830.
The Columbia, SC median is $840 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 columbia, SC?
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $38,350 | $42,640 | $51,530 | $60,830 | $60,830 |
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $18.44 | $20.50 | $24.77 | $29.25 | $29.25 |
BLS estimated 240 workers employed in this occupation in Columbia, SC. Location quotient: 0.55.
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 $51,530. The all-occupations median in Columbia, SC is $46,430. Ratio: 1.11 (role median divided by all-occupations median, same units, BLS May 2025). Location quotient 0.55 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 | $40,750 | $49,430 | $52,000 |
| May 2025 | $42,640 | $51,530 | $60,830 |
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, Columbia, SC. 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $58,050 | $46,590 to $64,290 |
| Spartanburg, SC | $52,810 | $49,050 to $59,140 |
All roles in Columbia, SC · National page · CNC Setup Machinist ranked across metros