How to Become a CNC Machinist in Missouri (2026)

Updated June 8, 2026 | TradeCareerPath Editorial Team

Missouri employs about 8,380 cnc machinists earning a median $58,710 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Most cnc machinists train through a trade school program or a registered apprenticeship before entering the field in Missouri.

Compare CNC Machinist Schools in Missouri

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
171.0$8,880$56,77468%Yes*170 mi
269.9$8,160 in-state / $14,610 out-of-state$58,40784%—50 mi
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357.2$5,250 in-state / $8,850 out-of-state$50,93738%Yes*118 mi
454.7$4,512 in-state / $7,200 out-of-state$42,62833%Yes*84 mi
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552.3$18,008$65,09653%Yes*135 mi
651.4$5,660 in-state / $8,570 out-of-state$40,95049%Yes*127 mi
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750.2$3,312 in-state / $4,776 out-of-state$39,32644%Yes*142 mi
849.6$3,960 in-state / $6,720 out-of-state$51,51636%Yes*152 mi
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947.0$3,504 in-state / $5,592 out-of-state$46,21042%Yes*149 mi
1046.2$4,272 in-state / $7,680 out-of-state$42,27248%Yes*95 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.

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.

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

Quick Answers About How to Become a CNC Machinist in Missouri

How to 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 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 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.

How to Become a CNC Machinist in Missouri

  1. Finish high school or earn a GED. Most Missouri 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 Missouri 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 Missouri 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 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 ( OES data), machinists wages in Missouri vary by metro area.

Metro AreaEmploymentMedian Annual WageAvg. Annual WageEntry Level
(10th pctile)		Experienced
(90th pctile)
St. Louis5,620$62,210$64,590$47,230$89,950
Kansas City1,350$56,740$58,480$40,900$81,890
Springfield410$51,100$58,800$39,810$72,470
Joplin360$46,820$50,030$38,860$63,680
Columbia240$50,120$55,640$39,480$80,820
Cape Girardeau100$48,160$52,680$38,030$84,900
St. Joseph80$66,390$60,410$38,190$73,690
Jefferson City70$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 .

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 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.

In Missouri

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. 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.

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)