CNC Tool Operators vs Sewing Machine Operators
Median pay is about $14k higher for CNC Tool Operators. The usual entry education is high school for CNC Tool Operators and no formal credential for Sewing Machine Operators.
marks the higher pay or growth. Education, difficulty and the AI rows depend on what you want, so they are not marked.
| Measure | CNC Tool Operators | Sewing Machine Operators |
|---|---|---|
| Pay | ||
| Median pay | $50,690, higher | $36,670 |
| Entry pay 25th percentile | $44,930, higher | $31,960 |
| Experienced pay 75th percentile | $61,760, higher | $42,830 |
| Outlook, 2025 to 2035 | ||
| Projected growth | -9.4% Declining, higher | -15% Declining |
| Openings a year | 12,500 | 9,800 |
| Getting in | ||
| Typical education | High school | No formal credential |
| Difficulty modeled | 1.8 / 5 | 1.4 / 5 |
| AI | ||
| Displacement risk modeled | Moderate | High |
| AI exposure modeled, percentile | 30th pct | 84th pct |
Skills
Both lean on the same top skills: critical thinking, monitoring, active listening, speaking, reading comprehension, active learning.
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Pay and outlook: BLS (OEWS 2025, Employment Projections 2025-2035). Skills: O*NET 30.3. Difficulty, displacement risk and AI exposure are modeled estimates. How these numbers are made.