How to Become a CNC Machinist in Arizona (2026)

Updated June 8, 2026 | TradeCareerPath Editorial Team

Arizona employs about 4,330 cnc machinists earning a median $61,080 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Most cnc machinists train through a trade school program or a registered apprenticeship before entering the field in Arizona.

Compare CNC Machinist Schools in Arizona

BOC Score, tuition, graduation rate, and median graduate earnings from federal IPEDS and U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard data. Tuition is the published annual figure for the latest reported year and excludes room, board, books and fees. Earnings are reported across all programs at the school (all majors), not a single trade. Distance is measured from the page's primary location.
#SchoolBOC Score (0–100)Tuition (published, per year)Median grad earnings (all majors)Graduation rateOnlineDistance
158.7Contact school for pricing$46,06477%—336 mi
257.1$2,948 in-state / $9,486 out-of-state$57,28834%Yes*149 mi
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355.8$1,354 in-state / $10,650 out-of-state$82,13038%Yes*351 mi
453.7$2,442 in-state / $7,758 out-of-state$50,34528%Yes*33 mi
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552.2Contact school for pricing$70,26455%—74 mi
651.8$2,060 in-state / $8,684 out-of-state$48,65231%Yes*308 mi
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749.9$2,358 in-state / $8,958 out-of-state$70,26429%Yes*84 mi
849.2$1,372 in-state / $3,268 out-of-state$54,82729%Yes*320 mi
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946.6$1,851 in-state / $4,131 out-of-state$53,85523%Yes*357 mi
1046.5$4,080 in-state / $6,630 out-of-state$39,71224%Yes*286 mi
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Schools closest to the page's primary location are gathered first, then ranked by BOC Score; distance from the page's primary location is shown for reference. The BOC Score is an independent measure of school outcomes (graduation, earnings, net price, retention) expressed as a 0–100 percentile within each school's peer group; higher is better and advertising never affects it. *Online availability refers to coursework; hands-on trade training is completed in person. Read the full methodology.

Arizona employs approximately 4,330 cnc machinists according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $61,080 1. Nationally, cnc machinist employment is projected to grow 0.0% from 2024 to 2034, with about 29,500 openings per year 2. This page covers how to become a CNC Machinist in Arizona, including requirements, training programs, and salary data.

At a Glance

  • Training paths: trade school, community college, or apprenticeship
  • Typical timeline: 1 to 5 years depending on the path
  • Median wage (Arizona): $61,080 per year 1

Quick Answers About How to Become a CNC Machinist in Arizona

How to become a CNC Machinist in Arizona? Complete a training program or apprenticeship, gain work experience, and meet any state or employer requirements for cnc machinists in Arizona.

How long does it take? Most paths into the cnc machinist field take 1 to 5 years, depending on whether you complete a trade school program, a registered apprenticeship, or a combination of both.

What do cnc machinists earn in Arizona? The median annual wage for cnc machinists in Arizona is $61,080 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $40,290 and experienced professionals can earn $76,610 or more 1.

How to Become a CNC Machinist in Arizona

  1. Finish high school or earn a GED. Most Arizona training programs and registered apprenticeships require a high school diploma or GED to enroll.
  2. Complete a training program or apprenticeship. Enroll in an approved trade school program or a registered apprenticeship in Arizona that combines classroom instruction with supervised hands-on hours.
  3. Gain supervised work experience. Build documented on-the-job hours under a qualified supervisor; confirm the exact total currently required with the licensing board.
  4. Meet state and employer requirements. Confirm any registration, certification, or employer requirements that apply to cnc machinists in Arizona before you start working.

Steps and hour totals vary by credential level; confirm current requirements with the state board before you apply.

CNC Machinist Apprenticeship Information in Arizona

Apprenticeships combine paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction and typically last 3 to 5 years. Arizona’s apprenticeship program is administered by the Arizona Department of Economic Security - Registered Apprenticeship 3.

Contact Information:

  • Office: Arizona Apprenticeship Office Department of Economic Security
  • Address: 1789 West Jefferson Street, Phoenix, AZ 85007
  • Phone: (602) 542-6013
  • Email: [email protected]

CNC Machinist Wages by Metro Area in Arizona

Machinists Wages by Metro Area in Arizona

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), machinists wages in Arizona vary by metro area.

Metro AreaEmploymentMedian Annual WageAvg. Annual WageEntry Level
(10th pctile)		Experienced
(90th pctile)
Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler3,230$61,270$60,480$40,800$76,090
Tucson590$55,700$55,880$38,220$74,280
Prescott Valley-Prescott160$49,210$52,730$38,020$64,980
Lake Havasu City-Kingman70$49,930$53,800$37,590$74,720
Yuma60$57,820$56,780$37,020$79,050
Flagstaff50$71,620$67,930$42,240$82,370

Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May .

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the job outlook for cnc machinists in Arizona? Arizona currently employs approximately 4,330 cnc machinists 1. Nationally, cnc machinist employment is projected to grow 0.0% from 2024 to 2034 2.

What training programs are available in Arizona? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in Arizona. You can also contact the Arizona Department of Economic Security - Registered Apprenticeship for apprenticeship opportunities.

How much do cnc machinists earn in Arizona compared to the national average? The median annual wage for cnc machinists in Arizona is $61,080, which is $4,930 above the national median of $56,150 according to BLS data 1.

In Arizona

Top local programs

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Citations

About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.

References

  1. Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎

  2. Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎

  3. Arizona Department of Economic Security - Registered Apprenticeship: https://des.az.gov/sites/default/files/Registered-Apprenticeship-Program-List.pdf ↩︎

Data sources

Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.

DataProviderVintage
Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)U.S. Bureau of Labor StatisticsMay 2025
Employment ProjectionsU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics2024-2034
Integrated Postsecondary Education Data SystemNational Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS)2024
College Scorecard (school-level outcomes)U.S. Department of Educationlatest release
College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings)U.S. Department of Educationlatest release (updated 2026-06-12)
Occupational licensing requirementsCareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor)latest release (updated 2026-02-22)
Registered apprenticeship programsCareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor)latest release (updated 2025-10-25)
O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones)U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.)O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13)