Salary guide, May 2025
CNC Setup Machinist pay in Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL
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 Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL was $45,570 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025). The middle half of workers earned between $41,900 and $48,580.
The Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL median is $5,120 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 tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL?
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $36,390 | $41,900 | $45,570 | $48,580 | $55,300 |
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $17.50 | $20.15 | $21.91 | $23.36 | $26.59 |
BLS estimated 980 workers employed in this occupation in Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL. Location quotient: 0.62.
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 $45,570. The all-occupations median in Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL is $48,940. Ratio: 0.93 (role median divided by all-occupations median, same units, BLS May 2025). Location quotient 0.62 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 | $38,460 | $42,070 | $47,630 |
| May 2025 | $41,900 | $45,570 | $48,580 |
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, Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL. 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL | $42,900 | $38,750 to $47,950 |
| North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota, FL | $46,920 | $44,590 to $57,800 |
What does this data mean for your opening?
In the Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL metro area, the CNC Setup Machinist role correlates with the SOC 51-9161 Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators occupation. For CNC Setup Machinist in Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL, releases are separate survey estimates. The May 2025 median is $45,570; the May 2024 median is $42,070. Their arithmetic difference is $3,500.
They are not the same workers' raises and do not establish a pay trend or its cause. The middle-band width is $6,680, calculated from a P25 of $41,900 and a P75 of $48,580. Manufacturing Headhunters emphasizes that this data covers a broad occupational category and does not differentiate based on the specific machine setup expertise or client-defined control platform experience.
The national median for this occupation is $50,690, which is higher than the Tampa area's median of $45,570. Nearby markets also show lower medians: Lakeland-Winter Haven at $42,900 and North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota at $46,920. The location quotient of 0.62 in Tampa suggests a concentration lower than the national average, reflecting the distribution of manufacturing operations. For CNC Setup Machinist in Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL, 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.
Industry-specific national benchmarks provide context for these pay levels. National median wages include $66,970 for Iron and Steel Mills, $63,750 for Jewelry and Silverware Manufacturing, and $63,170 for specific Chemical Manufacturing. These figures represent the high-demand sectors within the broader manufacturing field. Candidates screened for setup machinist roles are expected to perform duties like tool and work offsets, first-piece approval, and control-specific G-code editing to meet client requirements.
For CNC Setup Machinist in Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL, releases are separate survey estimates. The May 2025 median is $45,570; the May 2024 median is $42,070. Their arithmetic difference is $3,500. They are not the same workers' raises and do not establish a pay trend or its cause. The P10 of $36,390 and P90 of $55,300 define the current range of earnings in the metro. Given the broader nature of the SOC mapping, these statistics provide a reference for compensation that should be balanced against the specific setup requirements of the role. Recruiting for high-precision setups requires understanding that these aggregate numbers do not differentiate individual operator seniority or specific setup capability levels.
Which pay questions should you settle before hiring?
Is the CNC Setup Machinist median in Tampa higher or lower than the national median?
The Tampa metro median of $45,570 is lower than the national median of $50,690 for this occupation. This regional pay profile reflects the current local market for CNC tool operators.
What is the significance of the 0.62 location quotient in Tampa?
A location quotient of 0.62 means the concentration of CNC tool operators in the Tampa metro is below the national average. This indicates the industry density in the area is moderate.
What specific skills are expected of a CNC Setup Machinist in this market?
Candidates are expected to manage work and tool offsets, complete first-piece approvals, and edit G-code at the control. These skills are essential for the roles mapped to this occupation.
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