How to Become a CNC Machinist in Washington (2026)
Washington employs about 6,880 cnc machinists earning a median $66,160 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Most cnc machinists train through a trade school program or a registered apprenticeship before entering the field in Washington.
Compare CNC Machinist Schools in Washington
| # | School | BOC Score (0–100) | Tuition (published, per year) | Median grad earnings (all majors) | Graduation rate | Online | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lake Washington Institute of Technology | 68.9 | $5,997 in-state / $12,062 out-of-state | $55,891 | 37% | Yes* | 64 mi |
| 2 | Edmonds College | 67.5 | $4,810 in-state / $10,875 out-of-state | $52,875 | 29% | Yes* | 75 mi |
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| 3 | Everett Community College | 66.5 | $5,032 in-state / $11,171 out-of-state | $54,647 | 37% | Yes* | 81 mi |
| 4 | Perry Technical Institute | 65.3 | Contact school for pricing | $63,923 | 79% | — | 45 mi |
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| 5 | Bates Technical College | 65.2 | $6,027 in-state / $12,165 out-of-state | Not reported | 43% | Yes* | 62 mi |
| 6 | Clover Park Technical College | 63.9 | $6,634 | $51,699 | 43% | Yes* | 63 mi |
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| 7 | Renton Technical College | 63.3 | $6,308 in-state / $7,369 out-of-state | $56,466 | 46% | Yes* | 56 mi |
| 8 | South Puget Sound Community College | 59.0 | $5,252 in-state / $5,813 out-of-state | $50,185 | 44% | — | 84 mi |
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| 9 | Green River College | 56.8 | $4,711 in-state / $5,263 out-of-state | $60,643 | 39% | — | 51 mi |
| 10 | Yakima Valley College | 55.9 | $5,312 in-state / $5,873 out-of-state | $51,006 | 29% | — | 45 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.
Washington employs approximately 6,880 cnc machinists according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $66,160 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 Washington, 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 (Washington): $66,160 per year 1
Quick Answers About How to Become a CNC Machinist in Washington
How to become a CNC Machinist in Washington? Complete a training program or apprenticeship, gain work experience, and meet any state or employer requirements for cnc machinists in Washington.
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 Washington? The median annual wage for cnc machinists in Washington is $66,160 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $48,360 and experienced professionals can earn $101,110 or more 1.
How to Become a CNC Machinist in Washington
- Finish high school or earn a GED. Most Washington training programs and registered apprenticeships require a high school diploma or GED to enroll.
- Complete a training program or apprenticeship. Enroll in an approved trade school program or a registered apprenticeship in Washington 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 Washington 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 Washington
Apprenticeships combine paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction and typically last 3 to 5 years. Washington’s apprenticeship program is administered by the Washington State of Labor and Industry - Apprenticeship 3.
Contact Information:
- Office: Washington State Department of Labor & Industries
- Address: 7273 Linderson Way SW, Tumwater, WA 98501-5414
- Phone: (360) 902-5320
- Email: [email protected]
CNC Machinist Wages by Metro Area in Washington
Machinists Wages by Metro Area in Washington
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), machinists wages in Washington vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue | 4,250 | $74,560 | $75,190 | $49,360 | $110,790 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro | 2,090 | $64,170 | $66,900 | $48,900 | $83,480 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria | 620 | $68,850 | $75,140 | $48,820 | $113,750 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley | 520 | $60,480 | $61,570 | $45,290 | $79,210 |
| Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard | 370 | $80,620 | $79,720 | $53,770 | $101,900 |
| Yakima | 180 | $59,560 | $61,030 | $43,660 | $77,740 |
| Bellingham | 150 | $59,910 | $65,950 | $46,330 | $109,980 |
| Longview-Kelso | 140 | $63,190 | $66,210 | $46,580 | $85,410 |
| Mount Vernon-Anacortes | 140 | $66,280 | $66,860 | $50,480 | $87,090 |
| Wenatchee-East Wenatchee | 130 | $51,630 | $58,020 | $48,190 | $76,510 |
| Kennewick-Richland | 120 | $68,060 | $76,070 | $51,360 | $114,460 |
| Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater | 120 | $55,660 | $59,510 | $48,050 | $72,470 |
| Lewiston | 60 | $62,530 | $59,540 | $39,520 | $74,370 |
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 Washington? Washington currently employs approximately 6,880 cnc machinists 1. Nationally, cnc machinist employment is projected to grow 0.0% from 2024 to 2034 2.
What training programs are available in Washington? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in Washington. You can also contact the Washington State of Labor and Industry - Apprenticeship for apprenticeship opportunities.
How much do cnc machinists earn in Washington compared to the national average? The median annual wage for cnc machinists in Washington is $66,160, which is $10,010 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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Washington State of Labor and Industry - Apprenticeship: https://secure.lni.wa.gov/arts-public/#/ ↩︎
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) |