What it pays
Government survey numbers — not estimates, not ads.
Half of all Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators in the U.S. earn more than $50,690 a year — the middle 80% land between $38,140 and $73,890. About 169,450 people in the U.S. do this work. Figures are for the U.S. occupation group “Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators”. (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics survey, published 2025.) In India, Plant and machine operators and assemblers earn about ₹17,329 a month on average — around ₹2.1 lakh a year (government PLFS survey via ILOSTAT, occupation-family figure).
$50,690typical pay / year
169,450people in this work
$73,890+top 10% earn
₹2.1 lakha year in India (family avg)
Think you get this job?Six quick questions on how it really works — with a hint and the reason behind every answer.
Test yourself →The work, task by task
These are the real jobs-to-be-done, not a wish list. Each task shows where we found it, and the prompt underneath is written for that exact task.
Make2
Set up milling machines
+Set up the Haas mill for the day run: load the program, fit the vise and parallels for the 6061 aluminum job,…
Set up milling machines
+Set up the Haas mill for the day run: load the program, fit the vise and parallels for the 6061 aluminum job, install the correct toolholders and probes, zero axes to the fixture, verify coolant and cycle a dry run at 25% feed before cutting.
The tools that do the workBobCAD-CAMESCOjob descriptionsO*NET
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Input initial part dimensions into machine control panels.
+Enter the initial part dimensions and tolerance limits into the control panel for the bracket program,…
Input initial part dimensions into machine control panels.
+Enter the initial part dimensions and tolerance limits into the control panel for the bracket program, confirm offsets match the fixture sketch, save the setup under job number 4721 and run a single-block check to confirm coordinates before machining.
The tools that do the work1CadCam Unigraphicsjob descriptionsO*NET
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Fixing4
Remove and replace dull cutting tools.
+Change the worn end mill in spindle three: stop the program, retract to tool change position, remove the dull…
Remove and replace dull cutting tools.
+Change the worn end mill in spindle three: stop the program, retract to tool change position, remove the dull cutter, fit the new carbide end mill, set tool length and run a test cut on scrap, then update tool life counter and note in the log.
The tools that do the workCadem CAPSMilljob descriptionsO*NET
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Perform regular machine maintenance
+Perform the weekly maintenance on cell B: drain and top up coolant, clean and lubricate the linear guides and…
Perform regular machine maintenance
+Perform the weekly maintenance on cell B: drain and top up coolant, clean and lubricate the linear guides and ball screws, inspect belts and hoses, tighten accessible bolts, run the spindle warmup cycle, and record completed checks in the maintenance log.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft ExcelESCOO*NET
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Revise programs or tapes to fix errors
+Edit the NC tape that stalls at line 240: load the tape to the editor, correct the bad G-code for the rapid…
Revise programs or tapes to fix errors
+Edit the NC tape that stalls at line 240: load the tape to the editor, correct the bad G-code for the rapid move, insert a dwell to clear the coolant mist, save as revision B, simulate the revised sequence, then upload to the controller and run single-block.
The tools that do the workBobCAD-CAMjob descriptionsO*NET
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Determine reference points, machine cutting paths, or hole locations
+Establish datum for the new prototype: clamp the blank, probe three reference faces to set X Y Z work…
Determine reference points, machine cutting paths, or hole locations
+Establish datum for the new prototype: clamp the blank, probe three reference faces to set X Y Z work offsets, plot toolpaths to verify hole locations against the print, adjust fixture zero if needed, and mark the setup drawing with measured coordinates.
The tools that do the workDassault Systemes SolidWorksjob descriptionsO*NET
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The daily work18
Mount, install, align, and secure tools, attachments, fixtures, and workpieces on machines, using hand tools and precision measuring instruments.
+Mount the toolholder, install the face mill and dial it to center with the edge finder, secure the vise and…
Mount, install, align, and secure tools, attachments, fixtures, and workpieces on machines, using hand tools and precision measuring instruments.
+Mount the toolholder, install the face mill and dial it to center with the edge finder, secure the vise and the soft jaw fixture, then torque the clamp bolts to spec and verify perpendicularity with the square and micrometer before powering the spindle.
The tools that do the workBobCAD-CAMO*NET
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Monitor machine operation and control panel displays, and compare readings to specifications to detect malfunctions.
+Watch the control panel and listen for load changes, compare spindle speed, feed, and axis displacements to…
Monitor machine operation and control panel displays, and compare readings to specifications to detect malfunctions.
+Watch the control panel and listen for load changes, compare spindle speed, feed, and axis displacements to the print tolerances every 15 minutes, log any deviation over limits, and stop the program if alarms or unusual vibration appear.
The tools that do the work1CadCam UnigraphicsO*NET
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Lift workpieces to machines manually or with hoists or cranes.
+Lift the 120‑kg steel blank with the overhead hoist, sling it to the marked lifting points, steady it with a…
Lift workpieces to machines manually or with hoists or cranes.
+Lift the 120‑kg steel blank with the overhead hoist, sling it to the marked lifting points, steady it with a tag line, set it into the vise jaws, and lower the hook only after the workpiece rests fully on the fixture.
The tools that do the workSAPO*NET
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Stack or load finished items, or place items on conveyor systems.
+Stack the finished milled brackets in the designated pallet, rotate each to keep burrs away from hands, count…
Stack or load finished items, or place items on conveyor systems.
+Stack the finished milled brackets in the designated pallet, rotate each to keep burrs away from hands, count and tag every batch of 50, then place the pallet on the conveyor lane A for inspection pickup.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft ExcelO*NET
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Control coolant systems.
+Set the coolant flow and temperature to the alloy chart values, confirm concentration with the refractometer,…
Control coolant systems.
+Set the coolant flow and temperature to the alloy chart values, confirm concentration with the refractometer, route the return line filter to the maintenance tote, and note any foaming or cloudiness before resuming cutting.
The tools that do the workCadem CAPSMillO*NET
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Clean machines, tooling, or parts, using solvents or solutions and rags.
+Wipe down the spindle taper, tooling, and work envelope with solvent and lint‑free rags, remove chips from…
Clean machines, tooling, or parts, using solvents or solutions and rags.
+Wipe down the spindle taper, tooling, and work envelope with solvent and lint‑free rags, remove chips from the chip pan, inspect seals for coolant seepage, and record completed cleaning on the shift maintenance log.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft WordO*NET
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Lay out and mark areas of parts to be shot peened and fill hoppers with shot.
+Lay out and mark the shot‑peen zones on the batch of aluminum brackets on the inspection table, then fill the…
Lay out and mark areas of parts to be shot peened and fill hoppers with shot.
+Lay out and mark the shot‑peen zones on the batch of aluminum brackets on the inspection table, then fill the two feed hoppers with 0.6mm shot and label hopper A and B before starting the peening cycle this afternoon.
The tools that do the workBobCAD-CAMO*NET
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Examine electronic components for defects or completeness of laser-beam trimming, using microscopes.
+Inspect the reel of trimmed resistors under the stereo microscope for burn marks, missing pads or incomplete…
Examine electronic components for defects or completeness of laser-beam trimming, using microscopes.
+Inspect the reel of trimmed resistors under the stereo microscope for burn marks, missing pads or incomplete laser trims and log any fails with serial numbers into the production inspection log before I release the reel.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft ExcelO*NET
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Observe machines on trial runs or conduct computer simulations
+Run the trial cycle on the new program while standing at the cell, watch for chatter, tool deflection or…
Observe machines on trial runs or conduct computer simulations
+Run the trial cycle on the new program while standing at the cell, watch for chatter, tool deflection or coolant faults during the full dry pass, and note any deviations to correct in the program before the material cut.
The tools that do the workCadem CAPSMilljob descriptions
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Decide about the sequence of machine operations
+Decide the operation sequence for the titanium pivot: rough mill outer contour, stress‑relief, bore and…
Decide about the sequence of machine operations
+Decide the operation sequence for the titanium pivot: rough mill outer contour, stress‑relief, bore and finish‑turn, then drill and deburr so the fixture changeovers are minimized and tolerance stack is controlled.
The tools that do the work1CadCam Unigraphicsjob descriptions
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Compute angular and linear dimensions, radii, and curvatures
+Compute the angular and linear dimensions for the new cam profile, including radii and curvature at the…
Compute angular and linear dimensions, radii, and curvatures
+Compute the angular and linear dimensions for the new cam profile, including radii and curvature at the transition points, and produce the dimension sheet for setup and probe verification before the first part run.
The tools that do the workAutodesk AutoCADjob descriptions
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Write programs in the language of a machine's controller
+Write the controller program for the five‑axis head to finish the airfoil: include spindle speeds, tool…
Write programs in the language of a machine's controller
+Write the controller program for the five‑axis head to finish the airfoil: include spindle speeds, tool changes, work offsets and dwell moves, then run a dry simulation to confirm there are no axis limits exceeded.
The tools that do the workBobCAD-CAMjob descriptions
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Store programs on media
+Store the verified CNC programs for job 3421-R on company-approved media, label each file with part number…
Store programs on media
+Store the verified CNC programs for job 3421-R on company-approved media, label each file with part number and revision, include the setup sheet and tool list, and place the media in the secure jobs folder before the end of shift.
The tools that do the workBobCAD-CAMjob descriptions
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Analyze job orders, drawings, blueprints, specifications
+Review job order 3421-R, the blueprints for bracket assembly, and the tolerance notes, list unclear…
Analyze job orders, drawings, blueprints, specifications
+Review job order 3421-R, the blueprints for bracket assembly, and the tolerance notes, list unclear dimensions or missing surface-finish calls, and confirm material and cutter availability with the supervisor before I start programming.
The tools that do the workAutodesk AutoCADjob descriptions
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Compare encoded tapes or printouts with original part specifications
+Compare the punched-tape printout for part 3421-R against the original part drawing and tolerance table, note…
Compare encoded tapes or printouts with original part specifications
+Compare the punched-tape printout for part 3421-R against the original part drawing and tolerance table, note any feed or spindle discrepancies, and flag mismatches for re-posting before loading the tape to the machine.
The tools that do the work1CadCam Unigraphicsjob descriptions
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Retest programs to ensure problems are resolved
+Retest the corrected CNC program for job 3421-R on the dry-run cycle, verify toolpaths clear fixtures and…
Retest programs to ensure problems are resolved
+Retest the corrected CNC program for job 3421-R on the dry-run cycle, verify toolpaths clear fixtures and maintain tolerances, log spindle loads and axis positions, and sign off only if vibration and dimension checks pass.
The tools that do the workCadem CAPSMilljob descriptions
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Program milling machines
+Write the milling program for bracket 3421-R, sequence operations for roughing then finishing, assign cutters…
Program milling machines
+Write the milling program for bracket 3421-R, sequence operations for roughing then finishing, assign cutters and tool offsets, set feeds and speeds for 4140 steel, and save the program with revision and setup notes.
The tools that do the workBobCAD-CAMESCO
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Read tooling instructions
+Read the tooling instructions for job 3421-R, confirm recommended cutter numbers, insert depths and coolant…
Read tooling instructions
+Read the tooling instructions for job 3421-R, confirm recommended cutter numbers, insert depths and coolant type, note any special fixturing needs, and update the setup sheet if instructions conflict with available tools.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft WordESCO
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Built on public evidence: O*NET®, ESCO, Wikipedia, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, ILOSTAT. All sources & licenses
Built on public evidence: O*NET®, ESCO, Wikipedia, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, ILOSTAT. All sources & licenses