SOC 51-9161 · Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC metro

Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators Salary in Hickory, NC

The average salary for computer numerically controlled tool operators in Hickory, North Carolina is $46,430 a year ($22.32 an hour), according to BLS estimates for May 2025. The median is $46,630: half of the 160 people in this job in the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC metro area earn more than that, half earn less. That average is 15% less than the U.S. average for this job ($54,320).

$46,430average per year

$22.32 / hourMedian $46,630Take-home ≈ $38,143

  • $35K10th
  • $38K25th
  • $47KMedian
  • $49K75th
  • $62K90th

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

160people in this job
-15%vs U.S. average
#8 of 9North Carolina metros
88cost of living (U.S. = 100)
Advertisement

Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators pay range in Hickory

New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $35,430 a year or less, while the top 10% make $61,620 or more. The middle half of computer numerically controlled tool operators in Hickory earn between $38,010 and $48,950.

  • $35K10th
  • $38K25th
  • $47KMedian
  • $49K75th
  • $62K90th

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

Pay levelPer yearPer monthPer hour*
Average$46,430$3,869$22.32
Median$46,630$3,886$22.42
Entry level (25th percentile)$38,010$3,168$18.27
Experienced (75th percentile)$48,950$4,079$23.53

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

Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators pay in Hickory vs. North Carolina and the U.S.

Computer numerically controlled tool operators in Hickory earn 15% less than the North Carolina average ($54,890) and 15% less than the U.S. average ($54,320). At the median the gap is -8% against the U.S. median of $50,690.

AreaAverageMedian10th pct.90th pct.Jobs
Hickory$46,430$46,630$35,430$61,620160
North Carolina$54,890$50,440$37,410$80,7703,680
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 Hickory

On the average salary of $46,430, a single filer in Hickory takes home about $38,143 a year, or $3,179 a month and $1,467 every two weeks. Taxes take 18% of gross pay.

Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules).

North Carolina paycheck calculator: try your own salary

Advertisement

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

Prices in the Hickory area are 12% below the U.S. average (BEA price parity 88.5), so the average $46,430 buys what about $52,472 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 1.0 times the median wage of all jobs in Hickory ($45,220). A typical home costs $271,739, or 5.9 years of this average salary before tax.

See what $46,430 is worth in another city

Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators salary in other North Carolina cities

Hickory ranks 8th of 9 North Carolina metro areas for this job; Winston-Salem pays the most ($55,090).

All Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators salaries in North Carolina

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

Advertisement

Does this match what you are paid?

Anonymous, no account. Results update as visitors answer.

Share your pay anonymously

Reviewed before it counts. Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators in Hickory, NC.

Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators salary in Hickory: questions

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

$22.32 an hour on average, and $22.42 at the median (BLS, May 2025).

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

The lowest-paid 10% earn about $35,430 a year and the 25th percentile is $38,010, a fair guide to starting pay.

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

About $38,143 a year ($3,179 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $46,430.

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

The average here is 15% less 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 Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC (25860). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 2.3%.
  • 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 (2026 rules).
  • Job concentration: location quotient 0.94, this job is about as common as in the U.S. overall.

Read the full methodology. Spotted an error? Tell us.