"How long does it take to become a cnc machinist in West Virginia?"

"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 West Virginia?"

"In West Virginia, registered apprenticeships are administered through the Workforce West Virginia - Apprenticeships, 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 West Virginia

Q: "How much do cnc machinists earn in West Virginia?"

"According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), cnc machinists in West Virginia earned a median annual wage of approximately $47,350. Employment concentration in West Virginia is about 1.31 times the national average for this occupation."

Q: "What is the job outlook for cnc machinists in West Virginia?"

"West Virginia currently employs approximately 1,700 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

West Virginia machinists earn a median annual wage of $47,350 ($22.77/hr) according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), with about 1,700 workers employed statewide. The state median is approximately -19.4% below the national median of $58,750 for the same occupation.

Key Takeaways

Median annual pay: $47,350 ($22.77/hr)
25th percentile: $39,180 per year
75th percentile: $59,910 per year
Top 10% earn: more than $71,980 per year
Entry-level (bottom 10%): under $37,300 per year
Workers employed in West Virginia: 1,700
Versus national median: -19.4% below the U.S. median of $58,750
Job concentration: Location quotient 1.31 - this occupation is more concentrated in West Virginia than the national average

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

West Virginia employs approximately 1,700 cnc machinists according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $47,350 ¹. The state’s concentration of cnc machinist jobs is 1.31x 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 West Virginia, including requirements, training programs, and salary data.

Quick Answers About Becoming A CNC Machinist in West Virginia

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

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 West Virginia? The median annual wage for cnc machinists in West Virginia is $47,350 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $37,300 and experienced professionals can earn $71,980 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 (West Virginia): $47,350 per year ¹

CNC Machinist Apprenticeship Information in West Virginia

Apprenticeships combine paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction and typically last 3 to 5 years. West Virginia’s apprenticeship program is administered by the Workforce West Virginia - Apprenticeships ³.

Contact Information:

Office: West Virginia Community and Technical College System
Address: 1018 Kanawha Blvd E., Charleston, WV 25301
Phone: (304) 558-0265
Email: [email protected]

CNC Machinist Wages by Metro Area in West Virginia

Machinists Wages by Metro Area in West Virginia

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

Metro Area	Employment	Median Annual Wage	Avg. Annual Wage	Entry Level (10th pctile)	Experienced (90th pctile)
Huntington-Ashland	680	$46,290	$49,350	$37,300	$69,840
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria	620	$68,850	$75,140	$48,820	$113,750
Hagerstown-Martinsburg	210	$59,390	$60,320	$39,950	$75,920
Weirton-Steubenville	140	$46,530	$51,660	$40,330	$77,560
Charleston	110	$48,110	$53,420	$35,780	$74,770
Winchester	100	$49,130	$55,990	$41,490	$76,660
Morgantown	90	$50,510	$52,010	$37,800	$69,420
Beckley	70	$55,950	$52,170	$38,620	$63,510
Wheeling	60	$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 2025.

Top Metros for Cnc machinists in West Virginia

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

Metro Area	Employment	Median Annual Wage
Huntington-Ashland	680	$46,290
Weirton-Steubenville	140	$46,530
Charleston	110	$48,110
Morgantown	90	$50,510
Beckley	70	$55,950

Explore cnc machinist programs in Huntington, Weirton, and Charleston.

Explore More Trades in West Virginia

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the job outlook for cnc machinists in West Virginia? West Virginia currently employs approximately 1,700 cnc machinists ¹. Nationally, cnc machinist employment is projected to grow 0.0% from 2024 to 2034 ².

What training programs are available in West Virginia? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in West Virginia. You can also contact the Workforce West Virginia - Apprenticeships for apprenticeship opportunities.

How much do cnc machinists earn in West Virginia compared to the national average? The median annual wage for cnc machinists in West Virginia is $47,350, which is $8,800 below 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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Workforce West Virginia - Apprenticeships: https://workforcewv.org/images/files/job-seekers/REGISTERED_STATEWIDE_APPRENTICESHIP_SPONSORS.pdf ↩︎

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)