How to Become A CNC Machinist in Indiana
Indiana employs approximately 14,320 cnc machinists according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $57,800 1. The state’s concentration of cnc machinist jobs is 2.42x the national average, indicating strong demand. 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 Indiana, including requirements, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About Becoming A CNC Machinist in Indiana
How do I become a cnc machinist in Indiana? Complete a training program or apprenticeship, gain work experience, and meet any state or employer requirements for cnc machinists in Indiana.
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 Indiana? The median annual wage for cnc machinists in Indiana is $57,800 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $39,400 and experienced professionals can earn $73,500 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 (Indiana): $57,800 per year 1
CNC Machinist Apprenticeship Information in Indiana
Apprenticeships combine paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction and typically last 3 to 5 years.
Contact Information:
- Office: Ivy Technical College
- Address: 50 West Fall Creek Pkwy., Indianapolis, IN 46208
- Phone: (888) 489-5463
- Email: [email protected]
CNC Machinist Wages by Metro Area in Indiana
Machinists Wages by Metro Area in Indiana
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), machinists wages in Indiana vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin | 11,270 | $59,520 | $60,510 | $38,680 | $78,990 |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood | 3,540 | $50,610 | $56,240 | $42,440 | $72,140 |
| Cincinnati | 2,890 | $57,300 | $57,360 | $39,120 | $77,570 |
| Columbus | 1,470 | $61,230 | $60,160 | $48,640 | $74,720 |
| Fort Wayne | 1,030 | $53,770 | $54,020 | $38,510 | $71,210 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County | 990 | $60,500 | $60,750 | $40,780 | $79,570 |
| Lafayette-West Lafayette | 720 | $62,220 | $58,640 | $41,060 | $75,610 |
| South Bend-Mishawaka | 630 | $51,990 | $53,560 | $39,170 | $68,810 |
| Elkhart-Goshen | 590 | $49,910 | $53,800 | $41,560 | $71,320 |
| Bloomington | 540 | $47,850 | $53,940 | $37,140 | $73,020 |
| Terre Haute | 240 | $54,160 | $53,480 | $38,680 | $65,880 |
| Evansville | 190 | $58,410 | $59,880 | $40,290 | $80,810 |
| Muncie | 150 | $48,360 | $47,860 | $27,730 | $65,150 |
| Michigan City-La Porte | 140 | $51,700 | $53,640 | $38,500 | $67,600 |
| Kokomo | 60 | $45,200 | $47,320 | $29,570 | $61,440 |
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 Indiana
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest cnc machinist employment within Indiana according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood | 3,540 | $50,610 |
| Columbus | 1,470 | $61,230 |
| Fort Wayne | 1,030 | $53,770 |
| Lafayette-West Lafayette | 720 | $62,220 |
| South Bend-Mishawaka | 630 | $51,990 |
Explore cnc machinist programs in Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, and Lafayette.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for cnc machinists in Indiana? Indiana currently employs approximately 14,320 cnc machinists 1. Nationally, cnc machinist employment is projected to grow 0.0% from 2024 to 2034 2.
What training programs are available in Indiana? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Indiana.
How much do cnc machinists earn in Indiana compared to the national average? The median annual wage for cnc machinists in Indiana is $57,800, which is $1,650 above 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
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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
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) |