SOC 51-9161 · Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA metro

Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators Salary in Santa Cruz, CA

The average salary for computer numerically controlled tool operators in Santa Cruz, California is $59,930 a year ($28.81 an hour), according to BLS estimates for May 2025. The median is $59,280: half of the 70 people in this job in the Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA metro area earn more than that, half earn less. That average is 10% more than the U.S. average for this job ($54,320).

$59,930average per year

$28.81 / hourMedian $59,280Take-home ≈ $48,545

  • $40K10th
  • $47K25th
  • $59KMedian
  • $74K75th
  • $79K90th

median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it

70people in this job
+10%vs U.S. average
#5 of 20California metros
110cost of living (U.S. = 100)
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Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators pay range in Santa Cruz

New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $39,520 a year or less, while the top 10% make $79,260 or more. The middle half of computer numerically controlled tool operators in Santa Cruz earn between $46,560 and $73,530.

  • $40K10th
  • $47K25th
  • $59KMedian
  • $74K75th
  • $79K90th

median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it

Pay levelPer yearPer monthPer hour*
Average$59,930$4,994$28.81
Median$59,280$4,940$28.50
Entry level (25th percentile)$46,560$3,880$22.38
Experienced (75th percentile)$73,530$6,128$35.35

*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.

Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators pay in Santa Cruz vs. California and the U.S.

Computer numerically controlled tool operators in Santa Cruz earn 4% more than the California average ($57,400) and 10% more than the U.S. average ($54,320). At the median the gap is +17% against the U.S. median of $50,690.

AreaAverageMedian10th pct.90th pct.Jobs
Santa Cruz$59,930$59,280$39,520$79,26070
California$57,400$56,510$39,670$76,84021,680
United States$54,320$50,690$38,140$73,890169,450

State and U.S. rows: BLS statewide and national estimates, May 2025, which include rural areas.

Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators salary after taxes in Santa Cruz

On the average salary of $59,930, a single filer in Santa Cruz takes home about $48,545 a year, or $4,045 a month and $1,867 every two weeks. Taxes take 19% of gross pay.

Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules). California State Disability Insurance (1.3% of wages, paid by employees) is not included.

California paycheck calculator: try your own salary

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Is Santa Cruz a good place for computer numerically controlled tool operators? Pay vs. cost of living

Prices in the Santa Cruz area are 10% above the U.S. average (BEA price parity 109.9), so the average $59,930 buys what about $54,533 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 1.1 times the median wage of all jobs in Santa Cruz ($54,730). A typical home costs $1,157,157, or 19.3 years of this average salary before tax.

See what $59,930 is worth in another city

Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators salary in other California cities

Santa Cruz ranks 5th of 20 California metro areas for this job; San Jose pays the most ($62,620).

All Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators salaries in California

Highest-paying cities for computer numerically controlled tool operators

Seattle, WA pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($103,460).

Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators salary by city

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Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators salary in Santa Cruz: questions

How much do computer numerically controlled tool operators make an hour in Santa Cruz?

$28.81 an hour on average, and $28.50 at the median (BLS, May 2025).

What is the entry-level computer numerically controlled tool operators salary in Santa Cruz?

The lowest-paid 10% earn about $39,520 a year and the 25th percentile is $46,560, a fair guide to starting pay.

What is the computer numerically controlled tool operators take-home pay in Santa Cruz?

About $48,545 a year ($4,045 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $59,930. California State Disability Insurance (1.3% of wages, paid by employees) is not included.

Do computer numerically controlled tool operators earn more in Santa Cruz than elsewhere?

The average here is 10% more than the U.S. average for this job ($54,320).

Sources and how to read this page

  • Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 51-9161; area Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA (42100). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 3.5%.
  • U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
  • Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
  • Home value: Zillow Home Value Index. Typical-wage figure: OEWS all occupations, same metro.
  • Take-home pay: Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules). California State Disability Insurance (1.3% of wages, paid by employees) is not included.
  • Job concentration: location quotient 0.63, this job is less common than in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.63).

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