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Machinists vs Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers

Side-by-side · O*NET · BLS · AI-exposure research · Anthropic Economic Index

A factual, source-backed comparison of Machinists and Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers on the dimensions both occupations carry. Every figure is a position within an independent published dataset — not a verdict on which job is better, safer, or more “future-proof.”

Machinists Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers
Median pay · BLS OEWS
$56,150
$65,670
Employment · BLS OEWS
298,790
28,230
AI exposure (percentile) · task overlap, not automation
53rd pct
99th pct

At a glance

Dimension Machinists Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers
Median pay $56,150 $65,670
Employment 298,790 28,230
Employment outlook (2024–34) · BLS projection About average (0.0%) Growing fast (+12.8%)
Annual openings · BLS projection 29,500 3,100
Typical education · O*NET Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree. Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
AI exposure · published exposure studies Moderate · 53rd pct High · 99th pct
Global GenAI gradient · ILO ISCO-08 · via crosswalk 28th pct · 18% of tasks —
Observed AI use · Anthropic Economic Index Automation-leaning (38.1%) —
Mostly remote-capable · Dingel–Neiman No —

Pay and employment are BLS OEWS estimates; outlook and openings are BLS 2024–2034 projections; AI exposure and observed-use figures come from separate research and reflect exposure and usage, not predictions that either job will disappear. Compare like with like.

Skills

Shared: Arm-Hand Steadiness, Mathematics, Mechanical, Production and Processing, Operation and Control, Problem Sensitivity, Deductive Reasoning, Selective Attention, Near Vision, Critical Thinking, Monitoring, Operations Monitoring, Oral Comprehension, Information Ordering, Visualization, Design, Active Listening, Speaking, Complex Problem Solving, Troubleshooting, Quality Control Analysis, Written Comprehension, Oral Expression, Inductive Reasoning, Category Flexibility, Perceptual Speed, Reading Comprehension, Mathematics.

Specific to Machinists

  • Manual Dexterity
  • Finger Dexterity
  • Control Precision
  • Multilimb Coordination
  • Rate Control
  • Coordination
  • Flexibility of Closure
  • Reaction Time

Specific to Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers

  • Engineering and Technology
  • Computers and Electronics
  • Programming
  • English Language
  • Mathematical Reasoning
  • Education and Training
  • Systems Analysis
  • Judgment and Decision Making

Knowledge, skills & abilities O*NET rates as important for each occupation. “Shared” are common to both; the columns list what is distinctive to each (top by the order O*NET surfaces).

Tools & technology

Shared: Computer aided design CAD software , Computer aided manufacturing CAM software , Spreadsheet software , Office suite software , Electronic mail software , Presentation software , Word processing software , Enterprise resource planning ERP software , Object or component oriented development software .

Specific to Machinists

Specific to Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers

Full profiles

This page is a summary. See the complete source-backed profile for Machinists or Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers — tasks, the full skill graph, tools, work context, preparation, wages by percentile, industries, AI exposure and the AI work map.

More comparisons

Related occupations you can place side by side on the same sourced scale.

Sources for this page

Every figure above traces to a named public dataset and the exact release below — not hand-written opinion. See the full methodology for what each measure does and does not mean.

Data compiled June 2, 2026. Figures are estimates, not advice.

Cite this page
Plain

Singulariki. "Machinists vs Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers." Singulariki: a source-backed encyclopedia of work. Built from O*NET 30.3; BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) May 2024; BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034; Anthropic Economic Index v4 (2026-01-15) + v2 (2025-03-27); Microsoft “Working with AI” working-with-ai; “GPTs are GPTs” (Eloundou et al.) arXiv 2303.10130; AI Occupational Exposure (AIOE) Felten, Raj & Seamans; ILO / Gmyrek et al. GenAI exposure gradient 2025; IBS O*NET-SOC ↔ ISCO-08 occupation crosswalk 2022; Frey & Osborne (2013) frey-osborne-automation; Dingel & Neiman (2020) dingel-neiman-workathome. Accessed June 7, 2026. https://singulariki.com/compare/machinists-vs-computer-numerically-controlled-tool-programmers

APA

Singulariki. (2026). Machinists vs Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers. Singulariki: a source-backed encyclopedia of work. Retrieved June 7, 2026, from https://singulariki.com/compare/machinists-vs-computer-numerically-controlled-tool-programmers

BibTeX 
@misc{singulariki-machinists-vs-computer-numerically-controlled-tool-programmers,
  title  = {Machinists vs Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers},
  author = {{Singulariki}},
  year   = {2026},
  note   = {O*NET 30.3; BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) May 2024; BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034; Anthropic Economic Index v4 (2026-01-15) + v2 (2025-03-27); Microsoft “Working with AI” working-with-ai; “GPTs are GPTs” (Eloundou et al.) arXiv 2303.10130; AI Occupational Exposure (AIOE) Felten, Raj & Seamans; ILO / Gmyrek et al. GenAI exposure gradient 2025; IBS O*NET-SOC ↔ ISCO-08 occupation crosswalk 2022; Frey & Osborne (2013) frey-osborne-automation; Dingel & Neiman (2020) dingel-neiman-workathome. Accessed June 7, 2026},
  url    = {https://singulariki.com/compare/machinists-vs-computer-numerically-controlled-tool-programmers}
}

Citations name the underlying public dataset releases — they reflect what this page is built from, not just the URL.