"How long does it take to become a cnc machinist in Missouri?"

"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 apprenticeships are available for cnc machinists in Missouri?"

"In Missouri, registered apprenticeships are administered through the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education - On-the-Job Training \u0026 Apprenticeship, which works with employers and trade union locals to register programs. See the apprenticeship section above for office contact details."

How to Become A CNC Machinist in Missouri

Q: "How much do cnc machinists earn in Missouri?"

"According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), cnc machinists in Missouri earned a median annual wage of approximately $58,710. Employment concentration in Missouri is about 1.55 times the national average for this occupation."

Q: "What is the job outlook for cnc machinists in Missouri?"

"Missouri currently employs approximately 8,380 workers, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 0.0% national employment change for this occupation from 2024 to 2034."

Updated June 8, 2026 | TradeCareerPath Editorial Team

Missouri machinists earn a median annual wage of $58,710 ($28.23/hr) according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), with about 8,380 workers employed statewide. The state median is approximately -0.1% below the national median of $58,750 for the same occupation.

Key Takeaways

Median annual pay: $58,710 ($28.23/hr)
25th percentile: $48,880 per year
75th percentile: $72,540 per year
Top 10% earn: more than $84,150 per year
Entry-level (bottom 10%): under $44,120 per year
Workers employed in Missouri: 8,380
Versus national median: -0.1% below the U.S. median of $58,750
Job concentration: Location quotient 1.55 - this occupation is more concentrated in Missouri than the national average

Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025. Last reviewed June 8, 2026.

Missouri employs approximately 8,380 cnc machinists according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $58,710 ¹. The state’s concentration of cnc machinist jobs is 1.55x 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 Missouri, including requirements, training programs, and salary data.

Quick Answers About Becoming A CNC Machinist in Missouri

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

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 Missouri? The median annual wage for cnc machinists in Missouri is $58,710 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $44,120 and experienced professionals can earn $84,150 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 (Missouri): $58,710 per year ¹

CNC Machinist Apprenticeship Information in Missouri

Apprenticeships combine paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction and typically last 3 to 5 years. Missouri’s apprenticeship program is administered by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education - On-the-Job Training & Apprenticeship ³.

Contact Information:

Office: Missouri Division of Workforce Development
Address: 3315 W. Truman Blvd., Jefferson City, MO 65102-0599
Email: [email protected]

CNC Machinist Wages by Metro Area in Missouri

Machinists Wages by Metro Area in Missouri

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

Metro Area	Employment	Median Annual Wage	Avg. Annual Wage	Entry Level (10th pctile)	Experienced (90th pctile)
St. Louis	5,620	$62,210	$64,590	$47,230	$89,950
Kansas City	1,350	$56,740	$58,480	$40,900	$81,890
Springfield	410	$51,100	$58,800	$39,810	$72,470
Joplin	360	$46,820	$50,030	$38,860	$63,680
Columbia	240	$50,120	$55,640	$39,480	$80,820
Cape Girardeau	100	$48,160	$52,680	$38,030	$84,900
St. Joseph	80	$66,390	$60,410	$38,190	$73,690
Jefferson City	70	$51,850	$54,770	$37,600	$73,640

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 Missouri

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

Metro Area	Employment	Median Annual Wage
St. Louis	5,620	$62,210
Kansas City	1,350	$56,740
Springfield	410	$51,100
Joplin	360	$46,820
Columbia	240	$50,120

Explore cnc machinist programs in St. Louis, Kansas City, and Springfield.

Explore More Trades in Missouri

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the job outlook for cnc machinists in Missouri? Missouri currently employs approximately 8,380 cnc machinists ¹. Nationally, cnc machinist employment is projected to grow 0.0% from 2024 to 2034 ².

What training programs are available in Missouri? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Missouri. You can also contact the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education - On-the-Job Training & Apprenticeship for apprenticeship opportunities.

How much do cnc machinists earn in Missouri compared to the national average? The median annual wage for cnc machinists in Missouri is $58,710, which is $2,560 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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education - On-the-Job Training & Apprenticeship: https://www.apprenticeship.gov/ ↩︎

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)