How to Become a CNC Machinist in Florida (2026)
Florida employs about 8,400 cnc machinists earning a median $57,140 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Most cnc machinists train through a trade school program or a registered apprenticeship before entering the field in Florida.
Compare CNC Machinist Schools in Florida
| # | School | BOC Score (0–100) | Tuition (published, per year) | Median grad earnings (all majors) | Graduation rate | Online | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | South Florida State College | 73.8 | $3,165 in-state / $11,859 out-of-state | $48,619 | 48% | Yes* | 19 mi |
| 2 | Florida State College at Jacksonville | 72.4 | $2,878 in-state / $9,992 out-of-state | $53,224 | 37% | Yes* | 171 mi |
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| 3 | Gulf Coast State College | 64.4 | $2,370 in-state / $8,635 out-of-state | $52,051 | 43% | Yes* | 298 mi |
| 4 | Eastern Florida State College | 63.6 | $2,496 in-state / $9,739 out-of-state | $49,053 | 52% | Yes* | 59 mi |
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| 5 | Hillsborough Community College | 61.2 | $2,506 in-state / $9,111 out-of-state | $49,784 | 34% | Yes* | 54 mi |
| 6 | South Georgia Technical College | 54.3 | $3,992 in-state / $7,202 out-of-state | $40,852 | 61% | Yes* | 332 mi |
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| 7 | Coastal Pines Technical College | 53.5 | $3,268 in-state / $5,836 out-of-state | $42,956 | 48% | Yes* | 237 mi |
| 8 | Wiregrass Georgia Technical College | 50.7 | $3,480 in-state / $6,048 out-of-state | $40,586 | 50% | Yes* | 235 mi |
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| 9 | Southern Regional Technical College | 50.2 | $3,007 in-state / $5,575 out-of-state | $41,871 | 31% | Yes* | 252 mi |
| 10 | Savannah Technical College | 48.8 | $3,330 in-state / $5,898 out-of-state | $44,293 | 42% | Yes* | 289 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.
Florida employs approximately 8,400 cnc machinists according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $57,140 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 Florida, 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 (Florida): $57,140 per year 1
Quick Answers About How to Become a CNC Machinist in Florida
How to become a CNC Machinist in Florida? Complete a training program or apprenticeship, gain work experience, and meet any state or employer requirements for cnc machinists in Florida.
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 Florida? The median annual wage for cnc machinists in Florida is $57,140 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $39,870 and experienced professionals can earn $76,220 or more 1.
How to Become a CNC Machinist in Florida
- Finish high school or earn a GED. Most Florida training programs and registered apprenticeships require a high school diploma or GED to enroll.
- Complete a training program or apprenticeship. Enroll in an approved trade school program or a registered apprenticeship in Florida that combines classroom instruction with supervised hands-on hours.
- Gain supervised work experience. Build documented on-the-job hours under a qualified supervisor; confirm the exact total currently required with the licensing board.
- Meet state and employer requirements. Confirm any registration, certification, or employer requirements that apply to cnc machinists in Florida 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 Florida
Apprenticeships combine paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction and typically last 3 to 5 years. Florida’s apprenticeship program is administered by the Florida Office of Apprenticeship 3.
Contact Information:
- Office: Florida Department of Education, Apprenticeship Division - Region 6
- Address: 1519 Clearlake Road, Cocoa, FL 32922
- Phone: (321) 433-7974
- Email: [email protected]
CNC Machinist Wages by Metro Area in Florida
Machinists Wages by Metro Area in Florida
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), machinists wages in Florida vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach | 2,170 | $60,700 | $62,000 | $45,090 | $84,460 |
| Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater | 1,530 | $57,160 | $57,370 | $42,210 | $72,910 |
| Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford | 710 | $57,390 | $57,330 | $38,650 | $78,340 |
| Jacksonville | 640 | $59,700 | $58,720 | $42,100 | $75,710 |
| Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville | 560 | $57,410 | $57,500 | $41,520 | $76,230 |
| Deltona-Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach | 400 | $47,300 | $51,320 | $37,590 | $65,640 |
| Lakeland-Winter Haven | 390 | $46,990 | $50,760 | $38,100 | $64,590 |
| North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota | 340 | $52,200 | $55,660 | $40,820 | $70,700 |
| Port St. Lucie | 200 | $57,610 | $59,970 | $41,490 | $79,910 |
| Cape Coral-Fort Myers | 170 | $54,840 | $56,460 | $40,590 | $73,120 |
| Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin | 170 | $59,630 | $60,170 | $43,400 | $81,060 |
| Naples-Marco Island | 170 | $47,200 | $52,380 | $37,470 | $73,010 |
| Gainesville | 120 | $49,390 | $52,490 | $35,660 | $71,000 |
| Pensacola-Ferry Pass-Brent | 110 | $47,360 | $51,540 | $36,720 | $70,250 |
| Ocala | 90 | $47,750 | $50,190 | $36,220 | $63,810 |
| Panama City-Panama City Beach | 90 | $54,580 | $55,450 | $37,540 | $69,580 |
| Sebastian-Vero Beach-West Vero Corridor | 70 | $59,470 | $58,660 | $38,110 | $78,510 |
| Tallahassee | 50 | $49,370 | $51,770 | $38,660 | $66,060 |
| Homosassa Springs | 30 | $58,220 | $55,210 | $42,240 | $78,720 |
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 Florida? Florida currently employs approximately 8,400 cnc machinists 1. Nationally, cnc machinist employment is projected to grow 0.0% from 2024 to 2034 2.
What training programs are available in Florida? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in Florida. You can also contact the Florida Office of Apprenticeship for apprenticeship opportunities.
How much do cnc machinists earn in Florida compared to the national average? The median annual wage for cnc machinists in Florida is $57,140, which is $990 above the national median of $56,150 according to BLS data 1.
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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
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Florida Office of Apprenticeship: https://web02.fldoe.org/Apprenticeship/search.aspx ↩︎
Data sources
Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.
| Data | Provider | Vintage |
|---|---|---|
| Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | May 2025 |
| Employment Projections | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | 2024-2034 |
| Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System | National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS) | 2024 |
| College Scorecard (school-level outcomes) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release |
| College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release (updated 2026-06-12) |
| Occupational licensing requirements | CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2026-02-22) |
| Registered apprenticeship programs | CareerOneStop / 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) |