SOC 51-9161 · Columbia, SC metro

Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators Salary in Columbia, SC

The average salary for computer numerically controlled tool operators in Columbia, South Carolina is $51,730 a year ($24.87 an hour), according to BLS estimates for May 2025. The median is $51,530: half of the 240 people in this job in the Columbia, SC metro area earn more than that, half earn less. That average is 6% less than the U.S. metro average for this job ($54,845).

$51,730average per year

$24.87 / hourMedian $51,530Take-home ≈ $42,631

  • $38K10th
  • $43K25th
  • $52KMedian
  • $61K75th
  • $61K90th

median average · bar = middle 50% of workers

240people in this job
-6%vs U.S. metro average
#3 of 5South Carolina metros
94cost of living (U.S. = 100)
Advertisement

Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators pay range in Columbia

New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $38,350 a year or less, while the top 10% make $60,830 or more. The middle half of computer numerically controlled tool operators in Columbia earn between $42,640 and $60,830.

  • $38K10th
  • $43K25th
  • $52KMedian
  • $61K75th
  • $61K90th

median average · bar = middle 50% of workers

Pay levelPer yearPer monthPer hour*
Average$51,730$4,311$24.87
Median$51,530$4,294$24.77
Entry level (25th percentile)$42,640$3,553$20.50
Experienced (75th percentile)$60,830$5,069$29.25

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

Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators salary after taxes in Columbia

On the average salary of $51,730, a single filer in Columbia takes home about $42,631 a year, or $3,553 a month and $1,640 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).

Advertisement

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

Prices in the Columbia area are 6% below the U.S. average (BEA price parity 93.7), so the average $51,730 buys what about $55,231 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 1.1 times the median wage of all jobs in Columbia ($46,430). A typical home costs $256,154, or 5.0 years of this average salary before tax.

See what $51,730 is worth in another city

Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators salary in other South Carolina cities

Columbia ranks 3rd of 5 South Carolina metro areas for this job; Spartanburg pays the most ($55,390).

All Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators salaries in South 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 Columbia, SC.

Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators salary in Columbia: questions

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

$24.87 an hour on average, and $24.77 at the median (BLS, May 2025).

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

The lowest-paid 10% earn about $38,350 a year and the 25th percentile is $42,640, a fair guide to starting pay.

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

About $42,631 a year ($3,553 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $51,730.

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

The average here is 6% less than the U.S. metro average for this job ($54,845).

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 Columbia, SC (17900). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 1.2%.
  • 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 0.55, this job is less common than in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.55).

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