How to Become a CNC Machinist in Ohio (2026)

Ohio employs about 17,110 cnc machinists earning a median $57,940 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Most cnc machinists train through a trade school program or a registered apprenticeship before entering the field in Ohio.

Compare CNC Machinist Schools in Ohio

BOC Score, tuition, graduation rate, and median graduate earnings from federal IPEDS and U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard data. 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)TuitionMedian grad earnings (all majors)Graduation rateOnlineDistance
175.4Contact school for pricing$50,32689%31 mi
271.2Contact school for pricing$46,53483%55 mi
Sponsored Ad
368.1Contact school for pricing$42,59880%46 mi
466.9Contact school for pricing$34,56883%30 mi
Sponsored Ad
560.8$4,624 - $10,118$53,40135%Yes*10 mi
658.0Contact school for pricing$31,82985%9 mi
Sponsored Ad
753.5Contact school for pricing$30,378Not reported48 mi
849.9Contact school for pricing$55,40133%Yes*76 mi
Sponsored Ad
948.6Contact school for pricing$62,49373%53 mi
1047.6Contact school for pricing$49,69830%Yes*57 mi
Sponsored Ad

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.

Ohio employs approximately 17,110 cnc machinists according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $57,940 1. The state’s concentration of cnc machinist jobs is 1.67x 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 Ohio, 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 (Ohio): $57,940 per year 1

Quick Answers About How to Become a CNC Machinist in Ohio

How to become a CNC Machinist in Ohio? Complete a training program or apprenticeship, gain work experience, and meet any state or employer requirements for cnc machinists in Ohio.

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 Ohio? The median annual wage for cnc machinists in Ohio is $57,940 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $38,070 and experienced professionals can earn $76,530 or more 1.

How to Become a CNC Machinist in Ohio

  1. Finish high school or earn a GED. Most Ohio 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 Ohio 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 Ohio 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 Ohio

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

Contact Information:

  • Office: Ohio Department of Job and Family Services - ApprenticeOhio
  • Phone: (614) 466-6282
  • Email: [email protected]

CNC Machinist Wages by Metro Area in Ohio

Machinists Wages by Metro Area in Ohio

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

Metro AreaEmploymentMedian Annual WageAvg. Annual WageEntry Level
(10th pctile)
Experienced
(90th pctile)
Cleveland3,980$58,240$56,780$38,070$77,190
Cincinnati2,890$57,300$57,360$39,120$77,570
Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek1,360$59,050$56,690$37,910$74,970
Columbus1,150$57,940$57,160$38,850$77,320
Toledo1,140$62,190$63,400$37,280$80,170
Akron1,090$56,380$54,840$37,000$74,330
Huntington-Ashland680$46,290$49,350$37,300$69,840
Canton-Massillon450$57,040$56,240$37,190$72,370
Youngstown-Warren360$50,930$53,030$35,750$70,420
Springfield310$37,380$46,710$31,200$65,270
Mansfield210$54,540$53,270$37,320$68,920
Sandusky170$57,170$55,830$36,960$72,770
Weirton-Steubenville140$46,530$51,660$40,330$77,560
Lima120$53,950$58,290$37,760$106,100
Wheeling60$58,780$56,200$38,270$72,060

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 Ohio? Ohio currently employs approximately 17,110 cnc machinists 1. Nationally, cnc machinist employment is projected to grow 0.0% from 2024 to 2034 2.

What training programs are available in Ohio? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in Ohio. You can also contact the Ohio Office of Apprenticeship for apprenticeship opportunities.

How much do cnc machinists earn in Ohio compared to the national average? The median annual wage for cnc machinists in Ohio is $57,940, which is $1,790 above the national median of $56,150 according to BLS data 1.

In Ohio

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. Ohio Office of Apprenticeship: http://jfs.ohio.gov/apprenticeship/Apprenticeship-Opportunities.stm ↩︎

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)