Salary guide, May 2025
CNC Setup Machinist pay in Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX
Manufacturing Headhunters uses the published BLS OEWS figures below. They describe the mapped occupation and area, not an individual offer.
This is what we do all day: recruit manufacturing professionals.
The median annual wage for Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators in Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX was $47,990 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025). The middle half of workers earned between $38,270 and $60,200.
The Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX median is $2,700 below 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 dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX?
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $36,030 | $38,270 | $47,990 | $60,200 | $68,330 |
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $17.32 | $18.40 | $23.07 | $28.94 | $32.85 |
BLS estimated 3,150 workers employed in this occupation in Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX. Location quotient: 0.71.
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 $47,990. The all-occupations median in Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX is $51,440. Ratio: 0.93 (role median divided by all-occupations median, same units, BLS May 2025). Location quotient 0.71 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 | $36,260 | $42,720 | $52,450 |
| May 2025 | $38,270 | $47,990 | $60,200 |
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, Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX. 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Sherman-Denison, TX | $47,200 | $36,640 to $58,330 |
| Waco, TX | $44,960 | $36,920 to $57,410 |
What does this data mean for your opening?
In the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX metro area, the CNC Setup Machinist role is associated with the SOC 51-9161 Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators occupation. For CNC Setup Machinist in Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX, releases are separate survey estimates. The May 2025 median is $47,990; the May 2024 median is $42,720. Their arithmetic difference is $5,270.
They are not the same workers' raises and do not establish a pay trend or its cause. The middle-band width is $21,930, defined by a P25 of $38,270 and a P75 of $60,200. Manufacturing Headhunters notes that these figures reflect a large aggregate of operators, which does not isolate technical nuances like G-code editing or specific control platform mastery.
The Dallas metro median of $47,990 is lower than the national median of $50,690 for this occupation. Comparison metros show varied pay levels: Sherman-Denison has a median of $47,200, and Waco has a median of $44,960. The location quotient of 0.71 indicates a concentration of operators below the national average. For CNC Setup Machinist in Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX, OEWS measures straight-time gross wages, not pure base salary or total compensation. Commissions and production bonuses are included; overtime, shift differentials, nonproduction bonuses and benefits are excluded.
National manufacturing industry rows provide contextual wage benchmarks. The Iron and Steel Mills and Ferroalloy Manufacturing industry reports a median of $66,970, while Jewelry and Silverware Manufacturing is $63,750, and select Chemical Manufacturing is $63,170. These industries provide different wage environments for tool operators. Candidates for the setup machinist role are typically screened for their ability to manage work and tool offsets, first-piece approvals, and G-code editing on specific controls.
For CNC Setup Machinist in Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX, releases are separate survey estimates. The May 2025 median is $47,990; the May 2024 median is $42,720. Their arithmetic difference is $5,270. They are not the same workers' raises and do not establish a pay trend or its cause. The P10 of $36,030 and P90 of $68,330 frame the current local pay range. Because the SOC mapping is broader than the specific title of setup machinist, these metrics should be used as general guidelines. Recruiting managers should weigh these statistics against actual skill depth in setup tasks when preparing offer packages for new personnel.
Which pay questions should you settle before hiring?
Is the Dallas-Fort Worth CNC setup machinist median higher or lower than the national median?
The Dallas metro median of $47,990 is lower than the national median of $50,690. This highlights a variance between local occupational pay and national averages for tool operators.
What is the P25 to P75 middle-band width for this metro?
The middle-band width is $21,930, representing the range between the 25th percentile of $38,270 and the 75th percentile of $60,200.
What setup machinist skills are assessed for this role?
Candidates are screened for setup duties such as managing fixture and tool offsets, performing first-piece approvals, and editing G-code. Proficiency in these areas is required for client matches.
Related recruiting or pay page · Related wage comparison 1 · Data methodology · Related wage comparison 3 · Related wage comparison 4 · Related wage comparison 5