How to Become a CNC Machinist in Texas (2026)
Texas employs about 21,700 cnc machinists earning a median $59,180 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Most cnc machinists train through a trade school program or a registered apprenticeship before entering the field in Texas.
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Compare CNC Machinist Schools in Texas
| # | School | BOC Score (0–100) | Tuition | Median grad earnings (all majors) | Graduation rate | Online | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | M T Training Center | 78.9 | Contact school for pricing | $37,432 | 80% | Yes* | 113 mi |
| 2 | School of Automotive Machinists & Technology | 63.4 | Contact school for pricing | $49,986 | Not reported | — | 173 mi |
| 3 | North Central Texas College | 57.4 | Contact school for pricing | $52,437 | 35% | Yes* | 169 mi |
| 4 | St Philip's College | 55.4 | $3,412 - $11,985 | $52,292 | 28% | Yes* | 131 mi |
| 5 | Lee College | 53.0 | Contact school for pricing | $57,434 | Not reported | — | 201 mi |
| 6 | Grayson College | 50.9 | Contact school for pricing | $54,877 | 27% | Yes* | 185 mi |
| 7 | Texas State Technical College | 47.6 | Contact school for pricing | $55,511 | 41% | Yes* | 53 mi |
| 8 | Lincoln College of Technology-Grand Prairie | 47.4 | Contact school for pricing | $51,742 | Not reported | — | 111 mi |
| 9 | Angelina College | 46.9 | Contact school for pricing | $50,781 | 28% | Yes* | 185 mi |
| 10 | Miller-Motte College-STVT-Arlington | 46.8 | Contact school for pricing | $34,393 | 76% | — | 110 mi |
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.
Texas employs approximately 21,700 cnc machinists according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $59,180 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 Texas, including requirements, training programs, and salary data.
CNC Machinist Wages by Metro Area in Texas
Machinists Wages by Metro Area in Texas
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), machinists wages in Texas vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands | 8,140 | $61,280 | $62,470 | $39,960 | $81,470 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington | 4,660 | $59,830 | $61,030 | $40,110 | $81,930 |
| Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos | 1,210 | $59,030 | $60,820 | $41,740 | $77,650 |
| San Antonio-New Braunfels | 750 | $53,190 | $57,300 | $37,660 | $84,130 |
| Longview | 690 | $48,350 | $50,950 | $32,440 | $68,550 |
| Beaumont-Port Arthur | 520 | $59,800 | $65,570 | $44,450 | $103,260 |
| Odessa | 380 | $59,770 | $58,760 | $40,910 | $78,140 |
| Amarillo | 360 | $41,900 | $49,970 | $33,650 | $80,190 |
| El Paso | 360 | $46,880 | $48,480 | $30,480 | $65,650 |
| Corpus Christi | 300 | $71,590 | $71,490 | $42,790 | $100,140 |
| Midland | 270 | $58,800 | $57,570 | $40,060 | $75,220 |
| Waco | 250 | $50,380 | $58,000 | $36,830 | $95,820 |
| Lubbock | 160 | $47,790 | $52,730 | $36,340 | $72,390 |
| Sherman-Denison | 160 | $49,710 | $50,260 | $33,300 | $74,100 |
| Texarkana | 140 | $49,310 | $50,160 | $33,860 | $68,080 |
| Killeen-Temple | 130 | $50,420 | $50,250 | $36,040 | $62,270 |
| Wichita Falls | 130 | $52,790 | $56,180 | $38,450 | $83,890 |
| Brownsville-Harlingen | 120 | $48,970 | $49,250 | $35,560 | $69,050 |
| McAllen-Edinburg-Mission | 110 | $48,230 | $47,150 | $25,510 | $67,080 |
| San Angelo | 100 | $49,610 | $55,410 | $37,960 | $71,820 |
| College Station-Bryan | 90 | $55,560 | $55,850 | $39,070 | $66,420 |
| Tyler | 80 | $58,170 | $55,460 | $35,960 | $76,990 |
| Abilene | 60 | $56,160 | $54,530 | $36,440 | $70,960 |
| Victoria | 60 | $48,420 | $53,890 | $37,500 | $85,690 |
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.
At a Glance
- Training paths: trade school, community college, or apprenticeship
- Typical timeline: 1 to 5 years depending on the path
- Median wage (Texas): $59,180 per year 1
Quick Answers About Becoming A CNC Machinist in Texas
How do I become a cnc machinist in Texas? Complete a training program or apprenticeship, gain work experience, and meet any state or employer requirements for cnc machinists in Texas.
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 Texas? The median annual wage for cnc machinists in Texas is $59,180 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $38,600 and experienced professionals can earn $83,070 or more 1.
Top Metros for Cnc machinists in Texas
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest cnc machinist employment within Texas according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands | 8,140 | $61,280 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington | 4,660 | $59,830 |
| Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos | 1,210 | $59,030 |
| San Antonio-New Braunfels | 750 | $53,190 |
| Longview | 690 | $48,350 |
Explore cnc machinist programs in Houston, Dallas, and Austin.
How to Become a CNC Machinist in Texas
- Finish high school or earn a GED. Most Texas training programs and registered apprenticeships require a high school diploma or GED to enroll.
- Complete a training program or apprenticeship. Enroll in an accredited trade school program or a registered apprenticeship in Texas that combines classroom instruction with supervised hands-on hours.
- Gain supervised work experience. Build documented on-the-job hours under a qualified supervisor; confirm the exact total currently required with the licensing board.
- Meet state and employer requirements. Confirm any registration, certification, or employer requirements that apply to cnc machinists in Texas 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 Texas
Apprenticeships combine paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction and typically last 3 to 5 years. Texas’s apprenticeship program is administered by the Texas Workforce Commission - Apprenticeship 3.
Contact Information:
- Office: Lone Star College
- Address: 5000 Research Forest Drive, The Woodlands, TX 77381
- Phone: (832) 813-6500
- Email: [email protected]
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for cnc machinists in Texas? Texas currently employs approximately 21,700 cnc machinists 1. Nationally, cnc machinist employment is projected to grow 0.0% from 2024 to 2034 2.
What training programs are available in Texas? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Texas. You can also contact the Texas Workforce Commission - Apprenticeship for apprenticeship opportunities.
How much do cnc machinists earn in Texas compared to the national average? The median annual wage for cnc machinists in Texas is $59,180, which is $3,030 above the national median of $56,150 according to BLS data 1.
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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
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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Texas Workforce Commission - 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) |