What it pays
Government survey numbers — not estimates, not ads.
Half of all Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers in the U.S. earn more than $68,120 a year — the middle 80% land between $47,530 and $100,320. About 28,500 people in the U.S. do this work. Figures are for the U.S. occupation group “Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers”. (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).
$68,120typical pay / year
28,500people in this work
$100,320+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.
Fixing2
Perform trial runs
+Run the trial cut for the batch on cell F6 this afternoon, watch the spindle and coolant for the first two…
Perform trial runs
+Run the trial cut for the batch on cell F6 this afternoon, watch the spindle and coolant for the first two pieces, note any chatter or tool deflection, stop and log offsets if dimensions drift beyond tolerance, then sign off the run sheet.
The tools that do the work3D Systems GibbsCAMESCOjob descriptionsO*NET
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Revise programs or tapes to fix errors
+Modify the offending tape for the lathe that caused the overrun: correct the Z retracts, reduce rapid feed…
Revise programs or tapes to fix errors
+Modify the offending tape for the lathe that caused the overrun: correct the Z retracts, reduce rapid feed into tight radii, run a dry step-through to validate motions, then record the revision number and reason in the program change log.
The tools that do the work1CadCam Unigraphicsjob descriptionsO*NET
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Keeping the record2
Order tooling for jobs.
+Place an order for three end mills, two boring bars, and new collets for job 4821, confirm stock levels with…
Order tooling for jobs.
+Place an order for three end mills, two boring bars, and new collets for job 4821, confirm stock levels with stores, attach the job drawing and expected run quantity, request next-day delivery and approval from purchasing by noon today.
The tools that do the workSAPjob descriptionsO*NET
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Store programs on media
+Copy the finished NC programs for part 721A onto two separate USB sticks and the shop server, label each…
Store programs on media
+Copy the finished NC programs for part 721A onto two separate USB sticks and the shop server, label each media with part number, revision and date, verify checksum on each copy and file the media log before returning the original to the program binder.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft Officejob descriptionsO*NET
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Analysing2
Analyse blueprints and job orders
+Review the blueprint and the job ticket for order 3907, mark critical dimensions, note surface finish and…
Analyse blueprints and job orders
+Review the blueprint and the job ticket for order 3907, mark critical dimensions, note surface finish and tolerance calls, flag any missing notes or ambiguous fits and email the production lead and design engineer for clarification before first-piece setup tomorrow.
The tools that do the workAutodesk AutoCADESCOjob descriptions
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Analyze blueprints, drawings, and specifications
+Compare the engineering drawing for assembly C-12 against the material spec and current program, list any…
Analyze blueprints, drawings, and specifications
+Compare the engineering drawing for assembly C-12 against the material spec and current program, list any conflicts in dimensions, tolerances or surface finish, and send a concise discrepancy report to design and production planning by 3pm.
The tools that do the workDassault Systemes SolidWorksjob descriptionsO*NET
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The daily work14
Microsoft Visual C++
+Generate a compiled C++ toolpath validator that reads the latest mill specs, checks cutter offsets and…
Microsoft Visual C++
+Generate a compiled C++ toolpath validator that reads the latest mill specs, checks cutter offsets and spindle speeds against machine limits, flagging any operation that would cause spindle overload or travel beyond the fixture by Friday noon so I can schedule the cutter change.
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ASP.NET
+Produce a web-based shop floor dashboard that shows live job queue, current machine status, and next setup…
ASP.NET
+Produce a web-based shop floor dashboard that shows live job queue, current machine status, and next setup with links to the latest NC programs so the floor supervisor can reroute work when a mill goes down during the morning shift.
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Align and secure pattern film on reference tables of optical programmers, and observe enlarger scope views of printed circuit boards.
+Align and clamp the pattern film to the optical programmer reference table for the M4 panel, verify…
Align and secure pattern film on reference tables of optical programmers, and observe enlarger scope views of printed circuit boards.
+Align and clamp the pattern film to the optical programmer reference table for the M4 panel, verify registration marks under the enlarger scope at 10x, record any misregistration and secure film with the backup clamps before starting exposure runs.
The tools that do the work3D Systems GibbsCAMO*NET
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Write instruction sheets and cutter lists
+Draft step-by-step cutter instruction sheets and a numbered cutter list for the new PCB run, include tool…
Write instruction sheets and cutter lists
+Draft step-by-step cutter instruction sheets and a numbered cutter list for the new PCB run, include tool diameters, spindle speeds, feeds, and expected cycle times, then save the master sheet in the job folder and notify the shop foreman.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft WordMicrosoft Exceljob descriptions
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Compute angular and linear dimensions, radii, and curvatures
+Calculate angular and linear dimensions plus fillet radii and curvature centers for the connector pocket on…
Compute angular and linear dimensions, radii, and curvatures
+Calculate angular and linear dimensions plus fillet radii and curvature centers for the connector pocket on the drawing, hand-check key values with a protractor and digital caliper, then enter final numbers into the program notes.
The tools that do the workDassault Systemes SolidWorksjob descriptions
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Compare encoded tapes or printouts with specifications
+Compare the punched tape listing from the lathe run with the engineering spec sheet line by line, mark any…
Compare encoded tapes or printouts with specifications
+Compare the punched tape listing from the lathe run with the engineering spec sheet line by line, mark any opcode or coordinate mismatches, and prepare a discrepancy report for the process engineer and quality lead.
The tools that do the work1CadCam Unigraphicsjob descriptions
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Retest programs to ensure problems are solved
+Run the revised NC program on the test fixture at reduced feed, watch the toolpath through the full cycle,…
Retest programs to ensure problems are solved
+Run the revised NC program on the test fixture at reduced feed, watch the toolpath through the full cycle, log any crashes or deviation, adjust offsets and retest until the part meets drawing tolerances before releasing to production.
The tools that do the work3D Systems GibbsCAMjob descriptions
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Conduct computer simulations
+Set up and execute a full machine simulation of the new cutter sequence with stock and fixturing included,…
Conduct computer simulations
+Set up and execute a full machine simulation of the new cutter sequence with stock and fixturing included, inspect the simulated gouges and cycle time report, then iterate toolpaths until no collisions appear and times meet the schedule.
The tools that do the workDassault Systemes SolidWorks3D Systems GibbsCAMESCO
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Ensure equipment availability
+Confirm machine availability for next week: reserve the Haas VF-2 and Okuma lathe on Tuesday and Thursday,…
Ensure equipment availability
+Confirm machine availability for next week: reserve the Haas VF-2 and Okuma lathe on Tuesday and Thursday, flag any maintenance conflicts, and notify production lead Maria and shift supervisor Dan if a tooling change will delay setup beyond two hours.
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Pascal (computer programming)
+Convert the legacy subroutine into modern Pascal: pull the current motion routines, rewrite the feed-rate…
Pascal (computer programming)
+Convert the legacy subroutine into modern Pascal: pull the current motion routines, rewrite the feed-rate calculation to use integer arithmetic and bounds checks, run the unit test with sample part data, and send the revised routine to control engineer Alex for review.
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Use CAD software
+Take the customer CAD and update the fixture offsets: import the part geometry, add the three-jaw chuck and…
Use CAD software
+Take the customer CAD and update the fixture offsets: import the part geometry, add the three-jaw chuck and vise models, verify clearances for the longest toolpath, then export the updated setup model and send the drawing to floor supervisor Luis.
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Assembly (computer programming)
+Integrate the new probing routine into the controller: assemble the low-level instruction sequence, map…
Assembly (computer programming)
+Integrate the new probing routine into the controller: assemble the low-level instruction sequence, map sensor inputs to axis stops, simulate the sequence against last week's offset file, and hand the tested routine to controls tech Priya for deployment.
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Computer programming
+Build the control-module helper script that calculates dwell and spindle sync: draft the algorithm, implement…
Computer programming
+Build the control-module helper script that calculates dwell and spindle sync: draft the algorithm, implement edge-case handling for zero-length moves, run the simulation on last month's job file, and circulate the script to lead programmer Omar for signoff.
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Objective-C
+Prototype the tool-change notifier app: capture the tool table, log tool-life thresholds, generate alerts…
Objective-C
+Prototype the tool-change notifier app: capture the tool table, log tool-life thresholds, generate alerts when a tool drops below usable life, and email the maintenance planner Sara and production scheduler Ben with the first-week report.
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Says who?
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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