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Technology

Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators

Operate computer-controlled tools, machines, or robots to machine or process parts, tools, or other work pieces made of metal, plastic, wood, stone, or other materials.

Sector: Technology
Preparation: Zone 2 — some preparation needed
O*NET code: 51-9161.00

What you'll actually do

The activities O*NET rates highest for this occupation, most important first. Numbers are out of 100.

Controlling Machines and Processes

central to the job — rated 90/100 for importance.
Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials

a major part of the work — rated 82/100 for importance.
Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings

a major part of the work — rated 77/100 for importance.
Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events

a major part of the work — rated 75/100 for importance.
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates

a major part of the work — rated 71/100 for importance.
Making Decisions and Solving Problems

a major part of the work — rated 71/100 for importance.

Operate computer-controlled tools, machines, or robots to machine or process parts, tools, or other work pieces made of metal, plastic, wood, stone, or other materials. May also set up and maintain equipment.

What it takes

Two numbers per line: the level the work expects, and how important it is to doing the job well. Both are O*NET ratings, already on a 0–100 scale.

Skills

Operation and Control

Needed at a solid working level (55/100), and rated 78/100 for importance.
Operations Monitoring

Needed at a solid working level (55/100), and rated 78/100 for importance.
Critical Thinking

Needed at a solid working level (52/100), and rated 66/100 for importance.
Monitoring

Needed at a solid working level (52/100), and rated 66/100 for importance.
Quality Control Analysis

Needed at a solid working level (50/100), and rated 60/100 for importance.

Knowledge

Mathematics

Needed at a high level (65/100), and rated 79/100 for importance.
Production and Processing

Needed at a solid working level (57/100), and rated 76/100 for importance.
Mechanical

Needed at a high level (71/100), and rated 70/100 for importance.
English Language

Needed at a solid working level (46/100), and rated 58/100 for importance.

Abilities

Arm-Hand Steadiness

Needed at a solid working level (50/100), and rated 69/100 for importance.
Near Vision

Needed at a solid working level (50/100), and rated 69/100 for importance.
Problem Sensitivity

Needed at a solid working level (52/100), and rated 66/100 for importance.
Information Ordering

Needed at a solid working level (48/100), and rated 66/100 for importance.

How people get in

O*NET places this occupation in Zone 2 — some preparation needed. That is a statement about what employers typically require, not a rule about you.

Education

A high-school diploma is the usual starting point.

Experience

Some prior work experience helps but is rarely required.

Training

Expect a few months to a year of on-the-job training.

What it pays

These are typical technology compensation bands by employer tier — sector-level figures, not a measured salary for Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators specifically. Treat them as the shape of the market, then check a real posting for the number.

Google · Meta · Apple

$165k – $350k+

Fortune 500 Tech

$100k – $170k

Startups & SMBs

$75k – $120k

How the work tends to run

Each line below is read off a single O*NET activity rating for this occupation — named, so you can disagree with it.

The work is physical — you are on your feet and handling things, not sitting still.From “Performing General Physical Activities”
You run equipment, and running it well is a skill in itself.From “Controlling Machines and Processes”

How FlightWay scores your fit against this

No black box. Here is the whole method, factor by factor.

1. You answer a short quiz: Your answers build a profile across the same 161 O*NET dimensions this page is describing — skills, knowledge, abilities and work activities. Same axes, so the comparison is like-for-like.
2. We correlate the two profiles: Fit is a mean-centered cosine — a correlation between the SHAPE of your profile and the shape of Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators. Centering matters: raw similarity between any two occupations sits at 0.70–0.85 because all work shares a common profile, so without it every career would look like a match.
3. The number you see is personality fit only: "Would I want this work" and "am I ready for this work" are different questions, and averaging them answers neither. So readiness — what your résumé, coursework and projects prove — is scored separately and shown next to fit, never blended into it.
4. Every factor is visible: You can open any match and see which dimensions pushed it up and which pulled it down. If you disagree with the number, you can see exactly where it came from.

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Occupational data on this page comes from the O*NET 30.3 Database, published by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). O*NET is a registered trademark of USDOL/ETA. FlightWay is not endorsed by, and USDOL/ETA is not responsible for, anything built on that data — see our terms. What is ours is the comparison, the score and the plan.