How to Become A CNC Machinist in New York

New York employs approximately 9,400 cnc machinists according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $60,920 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 York, including requirements, training programs, and salary data.

Quick Answers About Becoming A CNC Machinist in New York

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

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 York? The median annual wage for cnc machinists in New York is $60,920 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $40,560 and experienced professionals can earn $84,440 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 York): $60,920 per year 1

CNC Machinist Apprenticeship Information in New York

Apprenticeships combine paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction and typically last 3 to 5 years. New York’s apprenticeship program is administered by the New York Office of Apprenticeship 3.

Contact Information:

  • Office: Apprenticeship Training Unit, New York State Department of Labor
  • Address: State Campus Building, Albany, NY 12240
  • Phone: (518) 457-4497
  • Email: [email protected]

CNC Machinist Wages by Metro Area in New York

Machinists Wages by Metro Area in New York

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

Metro AreaEmploymentMedian Annual WageAvg. Annual WageEntry Level
(10th pctile)
Experienced
(90th pctile)
New York-Newark-Jersey City4,300$62,750$66,030$44,930$92,460
Rochester1,940$55,560$56,100$38,800$75,360
Buffalo-Cheektowaga1,460$60,650$60,860$40,210$80,400
Albany-Schenectady-Troy580$63,970$67,520$47,630$93,580
Syracuse470$58,650$57,880$38,670$77,600
Utica-Rome320$49,090$52,740$37,120$75,150
Elmira180$59,330$56,090$43,330$72,030
Binghamton170$55,580$55,850$38,620$74,180
Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh170$62,000$62,560$46,320$88,500
Glens Falls140$59,570$60,000$45,240$78,480
Ithaca120$62,810$63,980$45,870$81,000
Kingston100$50,400$53,930$35,490$76,900

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 York

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

Metro AreaEmploymentMedian Annual Wage
New York-Newark-Jersey City4,300$62,750
Rochester1,940$55,560
Buffalo-Cheektowaga1,460$60,650
Albany-Schenectady-Troy580$63,970
Syracuse470$58,650

Explore cnc machinist programs in New York, Rochester, and Buffalo.

Explore More Trades in New York

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the job outlook for cnc machinists in New York? New York currently employs approximately 9,400 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 York? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in New York. You can also contact the New York Office of Apprenticeship for apprenticeship opportunities.

How much do cnc machinists earn in New York compared to the national average? The median annual wage for cnc machinists in New York is $60,920, which is $4,770 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


  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. New York Office of Apprenticeship: https://www.labor.ny.gov/apprenticeship/sponsor/index.shtm ↩︎

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)