Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers
Also known as: CAD Programmer (Computer-Aided Design Programmer), CAM Programmer (Computer-Aided Manufacturing Programmer), CNC Machine Operator (Computer Numerical Control Machine Operator), CNC Machinist (Computer Numerical Control Machinist), CNC Operator (Computer Numerical Control Operator)
median $68,12010-yr demand +12.8%AI exposure 12/100typical entry Postsecondary nondegree award
Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers is mid-paying, AI barely touches it so far, and demand is growing.
The pay range
Bottom 10% to top 10% of workers in this role (BLS).
How exposed is it to AI?
Two things matter: how much AI is actually used in the role today (right),
and how much it could automate in theory (up). Partially affected.
Each faint dot is another occupation. The amber dot is
Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers — its position tells you whether the disruption is here yet or still over the horizon.
used today 12/100
automatable in theory 80/100
archetype The Hybrid Zone
If AI does come for this job — where could you go?
Adjacent careers ranked by how much safer + how much more they pay, and the skill gap to get there. Click any to see its full breakdown.
How this is built. Median pay and the full distribution come from filed U.S. wage data
(BLS OEWS + DOL/LCA filings); AI exposure blends O*NET task content with model-based automation potential;
escape routes are computed from skill overlap between occupations, then ranked by how much safer + better-paid the
move is. This joins real distributions and projects them forward — it needs the real distributions
and the skill graph, not a guess. Figures describe group medians and trends, not any one person's outcome.
