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US job code 51-9162Very high change by 2035

Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers

Machines can already do 52% of this job's tasks. By 2035 that rises to 81%. Most of the work is changing now.

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Share of the work machines can do

Worldwide baseline, 2026 to 2050

100%75%50%25%20262035205052%

Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers in 2026: the short answer

  • Today: machines can do 52% of this job's tasks, and AI use is already seen in 12% of them.
  • Forecast: machines can already do half of its tasks, and 81% by 2035, according to the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit.
  • Size: 28,500 people do this job in the United States, on a median pay of $68,120 a year.
  • Contact with people: it scores 56% for contact with people.
  • Also called: CAD Programmer (Computer-Aided Design Programmer), CAM Programmer (Computer-Aided Manufacturing Programmer), CNC Machine Operator (Computer Numerical Control Machine Operator), CNC Machinist (Computer Numerical Control Machinist).

Updated by the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit. These are worldwide baseline figures; the Workforce Starburst shows them for your country. Go deeper: How ready am I? or an executive briefing.

Machines can do today
52%of the tasks, 2026
By 2035
81%of the tasks
US median pay
$68,120a year, May 2025
US jobs
29k28,500 people
Contact with people
56%how people-facing
Step 1AnticipateWhat is changing? Free to everyone

How the work changes, task by task

The tasks that take up most of the day, with the share of each that machines can do in 2026 (dark) and 2035 (pink). Worldwide baseline.

TaskShare of the dayMachines can do2026 to 2035
Write programs in the language of a machine's controller and store programs on media, such as punch tapes, magnetic tapes, or disks18%
65% to 92%
Observe machines on trial runs or conduct computer simulations to ensure that programs and machinery will function properly and produce items that meet specifications11%
25% to 65%
Revise programs or tapes to eliminate errors, and retest programs to check that problems have been solved11%
83% to 97%
Determine the sequence of machine operations, and select the proper cutting tools needed to machine workpieces into the desired shapes10%
25% to 55%
Analyze job orders, drawings, blueprints, specifications, printed circuit board pattern films, and design data to calculate dimensions, tool selection, machine speeds, and feed rates10%
55% to 85%
Determine reference points, machine cutting paths, or hole locations, and compute angular and linear dimensions, radii, and curvatures7%
38% to 70%
Modify existing programs to enhance efficiency6%
81% to 97%
Write instruction sheets and cutter lists for a machine's controller to guide setup and encode numerical control tapes5%
65% to 92%
Step 2AssessWhy should I care? Free to everyone

The skills this job runs on

The skills computer numerically controlled tool programmers use most, most used first.

Professionalism and work ethicAnalysis and dataProduction and makingPhysical and manualDesign and contentEngineering designIT and softwareTeaching and trainingLearning aptitude and mindsetInterdisciplinary thinkingTrade craftsAdaptability and resilienceCommunicationCritical thinking and problem solvingSelf-management

Safer jobs nearby

Jobs with a similar skill shape where machines can do less of the work by 2035.

Step 3ActWhat do I do about it? Free plan and up
What do I do about it

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Questions

When will machines do half of the tasks of Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers?

Machines can already do half of its tasks. That is the worldwide baseline from the 311 Workforce Starburst, before adjusting for country.

Will AI take the job of computer numerically controlled tool programmers?

Machines can do 52% of the tasks of computer numerically controlled tool programmers today and 81% by 2035. Most of the routine work moves to machines, and the people in the job move to oversight, judgement and client work.

Sources and citing

Tasks and their share of the day: O*NET 31.0, occupation 51-9162.00 (US Department of Labor, CC BY 4.0). Pay and jobs: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. AI use today: Anthropic Economic Index (CC BY). Scoring and forecast: the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit; after 2035 the figures extend each trend, with lower confidence. Foresight, not advice.

Cite as: 311 Institute (2026). Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers: the outlook to 2050. 311 Workforce Starburst. https://www.311institute.com/jobs/computer-numerically-controlled-tool-programmers/