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

"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 New Jersey?"

"In New Jersey, registered apprenticeships are administered through the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development - Registered 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 New Jersey

Q: "How much do cnc machinists earn in New Jersey?"

"According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), cnc machinists in New Jersey earned a median annual wage of approximately $63,190. Employment concentration in New Jersey is roughly 0.41 of the national average, meaning fewer workers per capita than the U.S. as a whole."

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

"New Jersey currently employs approximately 3,210 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

New Jersey machinists earn a median annual wage of $63,190 ($30.38/hr) according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), with about 3,210 workers employed statewide. The state median is approximately 7.6% above the national median of $58,750 for the same occupation.

Key Takeaways

Median annual pay: $63,190 ($30.38/hr)
25th percentile: $51,110 per year
75th percentile: $79,330 per year
Top 10% earn: more than $90,740 per year
Entry-level (bottom 10%): under $46,170 per year
Workers employed in New Jersey: 3,210
Versus national median: 7.6% above the U.S. median of $58,750
Job concentration: Location quotient 0.41 - this occupation is less concentrated in New Jersey than the national average

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

New Jersey employs approximately 3,210 cnc machinists according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $63,190 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 New Jersey, including requirements, training programs, and salary data.

Quick Answers About Becoming A CNC Machinist in New Jersey

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

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 New Jersey? The median annual wage for cnc machinists in New Jersey is $63,190 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $46,170 and experienced professionals can earn $90,740 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 (New Jersey): $63,190 per year ¹

CNC Machinist Apprenticeship Information in New Jersey

Apprenticeships combine paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction and typically last 3 to 5 years. New Jersey’s apprenticeship program is administered by the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development - Registered Apprenticeship ³.

Contact Information:

Office: Cape May County Technical Schools
Address: 188 Crest Haven Road, Cape May Court House, NJ 08210
Phone: (609) 380-0200
Email: [email protected]

CNC Machinist Wages by Metro Area in New Jersey

Machinists Wages by Metro Area in New Jersey

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

Metro Area	Employment	Median Annual Wage	Avg. Annual Wage	Entry Level (10th pctile)	Experienced (90th pctile)
New York-Newark-Jersey City	4,300	$62,750	$66,030	$44,930	$92,460
Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington	3,330	$61,280	$62,130	$43,480	$81,020
Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton	630	$59,330	$57,110	$39,310	$75,580
Trenton-Princeton	120	$71,290	$73,430	$46,200	$114,400
Vineland	50	$62,330	$66,450	$43,610	$85,900
Atlantic City-Hammonton	30	$64,400	$63,260	$44,720	$80,260

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 New Jersey

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

Metro Area	Employment	Median Annual Wage
Trenton-Princeton	120	$71,290
Vineland	50	$62,330
Atlantic City-Hammonton	30	$64,400

Explore cnc machinist programs in Trenton, Vineland, and Atlantic City.

Explore More Trades in New Jersey

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the job outlook for cnc machinists in New Jersey? New Jersey currently employs approximately 3,210 cnc machinists ¹. Nationally, cnc machinist employment is projected to grow 0.0% from 2024 to 2034 ².

What training programs are available in New Jersey? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in New Jersey. You can also contact the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development - Registered Apprenticeship for apprenticeship opportunities.

How much do cnc machinists earn in New Jersey compared to the national average? The median annual wage for cnc machinists in New Jersey is $63,190, which is $7,040 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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development - Registered 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)