CNC Machining Statistics 2026
Current US CNC machining industry statistics. How many machinists in the US, average machinist wage, CNC market size, top states, multi-axis adoption, and how contract machining is shifting in 2026.
CNC machining sits behind nearly every aerospace component, medical implant, and precision automotive part made in the United States. The role pays well, demands deep skill, and is harder to fill every year.
How many machinists are there in the US?
US CNC tool operator employment as of 2023, on top of the machinist count above.
Combined, that puts roughly 440,000 people running the machines that produce most US-made precision parts.
What is the average CNC machinist wage in the US?
Skilled CNC programmers and 5-axis operators command much more. Programmers with five-plus years of experience routinely earn $75,000 to $110,000. Lights-out shop leads and senior multi-axis specialists can clear $130,000 in high-cost regions.
How big is the US CNC machining market?
US contract machining services market annual revenue, depending on segment definitions.
Global CNC machine tool market revenue, with the US holding the second-largest installed base after China.
Aerospace, medical device, defense, and automotive are the four largest customer categories. The market is highly fragmented: an estimated 28,000 to 32,000 establishments perform CNC machining as a primary or significant activity, but the top 1% of shops generate roughly a third of total revenue.
Which states have the most CNC machining?
| State | Total CNC + machinist | Top sector mix |
|---|---|---|
| California | 31,000 | Aerospace, medical, defense |
| Michigan | 27,000 | Automotive, defense, machinery |
| Texas | 25,000 | Aerospace, energy, defense |
| Ohio | 22,000 | Automotive, aerospace, machinery |
| Illinois | 19,000 | Machinery, automotive, food equipment |
| Pennsylvania | 18,000 | Energy, aerospace, machinery |
| Indiana | 18,000 | Automotive, machinery, aerospace |
| Wisconsin | 16,000 | Machinery, automotive, agriculture |
| Washington | 15,000 | Aerospace, defense |
| Connecticut | 11,000 | Aerospace, defense, medical |
What share of new CNC machines are multi-axis?
5-axis machining centers' share of new US machine tool orders by value in 2024, up from 15% a decade ago.
The aerospace and medical sectors drive most of that demand, because both require complex geometries and tight tolerances that 3-axis machining cannot economically produce.
Multi-axis machines also let shops collapse multiple setups into one operation, which improves yield and shortens lead times.
US manufacturing technology orders crossed $5 billion in the first half of 2024, with multi-axis machines accounting for the fastest growth segment for the third consecutive year.
How big is the CNC machinist shortage?
Workforce shortage is the deeper issue. New machinist apprenticeships are growing, but starting from a low base. Industry analysts project the supply gap will tighten through 2030 even with current training expansion.
What does this mean for CNC shops in 2026?
Two structural shifts shape the competitive picture. The first is concentration in the higher tiers. Shops with multi-axis capability, lights-out runs, and proven aerospace or medical certifications win more of the high-margin work. The second is buyer behavior. Procurement engineers source through a mix of classical search, AI assistants, and supplier directories.
Sources
- 01Machinists Occupational Employment and Wages US Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2023
- 02Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators US Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2023
- 03USMTO Manufacturing Technology Orders Report Association for Manufacturing Technology, 2024
- 04Global CNC Machine Market Outlook International Trade Administration, 2024