How to Become A CNC Machinist in Georgia

Georgia employs approximately 6,090 cnc machinists according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $52,610 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 Georgia, including requirements, training programs, and salary data.

Quick Answers About Becoming A CNC Machinist in Georgia

How do I become a cnc machinist in Georgia? Complete a training program or apprenticeship, gain work experience, and meet any state or employer requirements for cnc machinists in Georgia.

How long does it take? Most paths take 1 to 5 years depending on whether you choose trade school, an apprenticeship, or a combination of both.

What do cnc machinists earn in Georgia? The median annual wage for cnc machinists in Georgia is $52,610 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $37,060 and experienced professionals can earn $77,420 or more 1.

At a Glance

  • Training paths: trade school, community college, or apprenticeship
  • Typical timeline: 1 to 5 years depending on the path
  • Median wage (Georgia): $52,610 per year 1

CNC Machinist Apprenticeship Information in Georgia

Apprenticeships combine paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction and typically last 3 to 5 years.

Contact Information:

  • Office: Chatham Apprentice Program - StepUp Savannah
  • Address: 428 Bull Street, Savannah, GA 31401
  • Phone: (912) 232-6747

CNC Machinist Wages by Metro Area in Georgia

Machinists Wages by Metro Area in Georgia

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), machinists wages in Georgia vary by metro area.

Metro AreaEmploymentMedian Annual WageAvg. Annual WageEntry Level
(10th pctile)
Experienced
(90th pctile)
Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell2,500$56,270$57,010$37,690$80,140
Chattanooga730$51,540$54,340$37,230$69,870
Augusta-Richmond County370$67,140$67,460$44,070$100,820
Savannah330$60,680$60,580$41,770$79,380
Columbus310N/AN/AN/AN/A
Gainesville210$55,620$55,250$38,160$77,020
Athens-Clarke County120$56,010$55,170$37,440$72,330
Dalton120$48,240$49,990$34,810$65,460
Macon-Bibb County120$50,250$54,720$38,210$80,100
Warner Robins110$68,060$59,230$28,600$79,860
Rome90$62,220$66,340$39,280$106,650
Albany60$60,840$61,010$40,650$82,510
Valdosta50$48,710$50,570$35,420$67,650
Brunswick-St. Simons40$51,670$53,410$40,000$67,630

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 2025.

Top Metros for Cnc machinists in Georgia

The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest cnc machinist employment within Georgia according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).

Metro AreaEmploymentMedian Annual Wage
Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell2,500$56,270
Augusta-Richmond County370$67,140
Savannah330$60,680
Columbus310n/a
Gainesville210$55,620

Explore cnc machinist programs in Atlanta, Augusta, and Savannah.

Explore More Trades in Georgia

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the job outlook for cnc machinists in Georgia? Georgia currently employs approximately 6,090 cnc machinists 1. Nationally, cnc machinist employment is projected to grow 0.0% from 2024 to 2034 2.

What training programs are available in Georgia? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Georgia.

How much do cnc machinists earn in Georgia compared to the national average? The median annual wage for cnc machinists in Georgia is $52,610, which is $3,540 below the national median of $56,150 according to BLS data 1.

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/ ↩︎ ↩︎

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)