Salary guide, May 2025
CNC Setup Machinist pay in Raleigh-Cary, NC
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 Raleigh-Cary, NC was $50,750 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025). The middle half of workers earned between $45,100 and $61,250.
The Raleigh-Cary, NC median is $60 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 raleigh-Cary, NC?
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $39,110 | $45,100 | $50,750 | $61,250 | $65,770 |
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $18.80 | $21.68 | $24.40 | $29.45 | $31.62 |
BLS estimated 220 workers employed in this occupation in Raleigh-Cary, NC. Location quotient: 0.27.
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 $50,750. The all-occupations median in Raleigh-Cary, NC is $51,990. Ratio: 0.98 (role median divided by all-occupations median, same units, BLS May 2025). Location quotient 0.27 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 | $41,650 | $49,730 | $59,320 |
| May 2025 | $45,100 | $50,750 | $61,250 |
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, Raleigh-Cary, NC. 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Goldsboro, NC | $38,980 | $38,620 to $53,000 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $48,560 | $43,920 to $54,080 |
What does this data mean for your opening?
In the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area, the CNC Setup Machinist role is tracked under the SOC 51-9161 Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators occupation. The median wage for this group in May 2025 is $50,750, which is higher than the $49,730 reported in May 2024. The middle-band width is $16,150, defined by a P25 of $45,100 and a P75 of $61,250.
Manufacturing Headhunters notes that these figures reflect a wide aggregate of operators and do not isolate the technical nuances of setup work such as cycle-time reduction or specific control platform mastery.
The Raleigh metro median of $50,750 is nearly aligned with the national median of $50,690. Nearby metros demonstrate different pay levels: Goldsboro reports a median of $38,980, and Durham-Chapel Hill reports a median of $48,560. The location quotient of 0.27 in the Raleigh area indicates a below-average concentration of tool operators. As with all BLS data, the reported figures exclude bonuses and other compensation components, which are essential for attracting proven setup talent.
National manufacturing industry rows provide useful context for related roles. Iron and Steel Mills and Ferroalloy Manufacturing have a national median of $66,970, while Jewelry and Silverware Manufacturing and select Chemical Manufacturing industries report $63,750 and $63,170 respectively. These sectors often set different wage benchmarks for skilled machinists. Candidates for the CNC setup role are expected to show proficiency in fixture and tool offsets, first-piece inspection, and G-code editing on specific client controls.
The median change for the Raleigh area is 1,020, compared to the national median change of 720. The P10 of $39,110 and P90 of $65,770 illustrate the current pay range for the local occupational group. Given the broader mapping of the SOC title, these statistics serve as a reference point for general market trends. Recruiters should use these metrics to gauge competitiveness while ensuring that offers specifically address the individual’s setup experience and control-platform proficiency.
Which pay questions should you settle before hiring?
How does the Raleigh-Cary median for CNC setup machinist roles compare to the national median?
The Raleigh metro median of $50,750 is very close to the national median of $50,690 for this occupation. This indicates the local market for tool operators is aligned with national trends.
What is the P25 to P75 range in the Raleigh metro?
The middle-band width is $16,150, which captures the difference between the 25th percentile of $45,100 and the 75th percentile of $61,250.
What duties are expected of candidates in this occupation beyond simple operation?
Candidates are screened for tasks including fixture and tool offsets, first-piece approvals, and G-code editing at the machine control. These skills are vital for the setup machinist role.
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