Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers
Develop programs to control machining or processing of materials by automatic machine tools, equipment, or systems. May also set up, operate, or maintain equipment.
Most important skills
- Programming
- Monitoring
- Mathematics
- Complex Problem Solving
- Operations Monitoring
- Systems Analysis
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
Key knowledge
- Production and Processing
- Engineering and Technology
- Mathematics
- Design
- Computers and Electronics
- English Language
- Education and Training
- Mechanical
What the work involves
- Determine the sequence of machine operations, and select the proper cutting tools needed to machine workpieces into the desired shapes.
- Revise programs or tapes to eliminate errors, and retest programs to check that problems have been solved.
- Analyze job orders, drawings, blueprints, specifications, printed circuit board pattern films, and design data to calculate dimensions, tool selection, machine speeds, and feed rates.
- Determine reference points, machine cutting paths, or hole locations, and compute angular and linear dimensions, radii, and curvatures.
- Observe machines on trial runs or conduct computer simulations to ensure that programs and machinery will function properly and produce items that meet specifications.
- Compare encoded tapes or computer printouts with original part specifications and blueprints to verify accuracy of instructions.
- Enter coordinates of hole locations into program memories by depressing pedals or buttons of programmers.
- Write programs in the language of a machine's controller and store programs on media, such as punch tapes, magnetic tapes, or disks.
Strongest interest areas (O*NET): Conventional, Realistic, Investigative.
Qualifications and licensing
- Most common education
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) (32.8% of respondents)
- Related experience
- Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years (33.9%)
- On-the-job training
- Over 1 month, up to and including 3 months (37.7%)
- Preparation level
- O*NET job zone 2: Job Zone 1-2: Very Little to Some Preparation Needed
- Licensing
- Not yet verified. Check your state licensing board.
Check before planning
- Licensing for Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers is not yet verified for any state: check the state licensing board before planning.
Limits
- Distributions show what current workers or occupational experts report, not legal minimums.
- Requirements vary by employer and state; time to qualify is not estimated.
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database (USDOL/ETA, CC BY 4.0); BLS Employment Projections · dataset 2026.10.8 · method e3-qualification-1.0.0
Work environment
How the typical conditions of this occupation compare with 911 occupations in O*NET (very low = the lowest fifth).
Levels are relative. Most occupations involve a lot of contact with people, for example, so “very low” can still mean regular contact; the last column shows what workers actually reported.
| Condition | Level | Compared with other occupations | Most common answer (O*NET survey) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Contact with others | Very low | Lower on contact with others than 96% of occupations compared | 32% of surveyed respondents chose “Contact with others most of the time” |
| Dealing with the public | Very low | Lower on dealing with the public than 88% of occupations compared | 47% of surveyed respondents chose “Not important at all” |
| Teamwork | Very low | Lower on teamwork than 83% of occupations compared | 34% of surveyed respondents chose “Important” |
| Freedom to make decisions | Low | Lower on freedom to make decisions than 71% of occupations compared | 40% of surveyed respondents chose “A lot of freedom” |
| Time pressure | High | Higher on time pressure than 76% of occupations compared | 41% of surveyed respondents chose “Every day” |
| Conflict situations | Low | Lower on conflict situations than 64% of occupations compared | 36% of surveyed respondents chose “Once a week or more but not every day” |
| Dealing with unpleasant or angry people | Low | Lower on dealing with unpleasant or angry people than 64% of occupations compared | 35% of surveyed respondents chose “Once a year or more but not every month” |
| Consequence of error | High | Higher on consequence of error than 60% of occupations compared | — |
Work-pressure profile
- Time pressure: high
- Conflict situations: low
- Dealing with unpleasant or angry people: low
- Consequence of error: high
Each part is shown on its own. There is no combined stress score, and conditions vary by employer and role.
Full answer distributions
Contact with others
- No contact with others: 0%
- Occasional contact with others: 24.79%
- Contact with others about half the time: 25.07%
- Contact with others most of the time: 31.87%
- Constant contact with others: 18.28%
n = 24, Incumbent 08/2025
Dealing with the public
- Not important at all: 47.29%
- Fairly important: 10.11%
- Important: 28.02%
- Very important: 2.62%
- Extremely important: 11.95%
n = 24, Incumbent 08/2025
Teamwork
- Not important at all: 0%
- Fairly important: 10.91%
- Important: 33.88%
- Very important: 25.16%
- Extremely important: 30.06%
n = 24, Incumbent 08/2025
Freedom to make decisions
- No freedom: 10.43%
- Very little freedom: 2.1%
- Limited freedom: 14.06%
- Some freedom: 33.57%
- A lot of freedom: 39.84%
n = 24, Incumbent 08/2025
Time pressure
- Never: 0%
- Once a year or more but not every month: 0.76%
- Once a month or more but not every week: 19.76%
- Once a week or more but not every day: 38.47%
- Every day: 41.01%
n = 24, Incumbent 08/2025
Conflict situations
- Never: 31.71%
- Once a year or more but not every month: 16.42%
- Once a month or more but not every week: 12.74%
- Once a week or more but not every day: 36.27%
- Every day: 2.86%
n = 24, Incumbent 08/2025
Dealing with unpleasant or angry people
- Never: 24.83%
- Once a year or more but not every month: 34.64%
- Once a month or more but not every week: 14.94%
- Once a week or more but not every day: 12.54%
- Every day: 13.06%
n = 24, Incumbent 08/2025
Consequence of error
- Not serious at all: 10.43%
- Fairly serious: suppressed by O*NET (low precision)
- Serious: 11.63%
- Very serious: 12.64%
- Extremely serious: suppressed by O*NET (low precision)
n = 24, Incumbent 08/2025
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O*NET-SOC 51-9162.00 · SOC 51-9162 (exact, high confidence) · dataset 2026.10.8