Side-by-side distribution
CNC Operator
$31.12/hr
per hour · USD
- Disclosing
- 41.5%
- Live roles
- 679
Plant Manager
$140,250
median · per year, annualized USD
- Disclosing
- 41.1%
- Live roles
- 423
Highest-paying jobs
Sr. Principal CNC Programmer
CNC Machinist (1st Shift)
CNC Programmer
CNC Machinist/Programmer
Lead Design CNC Programmer/Operator
CNC Programmer/ Manufacturing Engineer- Machining
CNC Machinist (Multiple Shifts)
Lead CNC Machinist (PM Shift)
CNC Mill-Turn Machinist
CNC Programmer
Highest-paying jobs
Plant Manager (Arizona)
Principal Product Manager, AI Factory
Product Manager, Software Factory
Manager, ML Solutions Architecture - Token Factory
Plant Manager
Sr. Manager - Factory Automation
3M Clarkston Plant Manager
Plant Manager
Manufacturing Plant Manager
Senior Plant Manager – Jacintoport
Top companies hiring
| Company | Median | Roles |
|---|---|---|
Regal Rexnord
|
$61,360 | 14 |
| GV GE Vernova | $109,200 | 13 |
SpaceX
|
$52,000 | 13 |
Caterpillar
|
$66,498 | 10 |
Graco
|
$67,912 | 8 |
Mitsubishi Chemical Group
|
$67,600 | 8 |
Jabil
|
$66,508 | 8 |
|
CACI
|
$64,896 | 7 |
Top companies hiring
| Company | Median | Roles |
|---|---|---|
| JC J.Crew | $45,604 | 30 |
Heidelberg Materials
|
$125,393 | 9 |
Greif
|
$146,500 | 5 |
Niagara Bottling
|
$136,879 | 5 |
LG Electronics
|
$97,500 | 4 |
|
Blue Origin
|
$193,880 | 3 |
| GV GE Vernova | $175,450 | 3 |
| AX Axalta | $150,000 | 3 |
CNC Operator salary by location
| Location | Median | Roles |
|---|---|---|
| Seattle | $98,186 | 4 |
| Los Angeles | $90,480 | 7 |
| New York | $63,800 | 6 |
Plant Manager salary by location
| Location | Median | Roles |
|---|---|---|
| Seattle | $184,053 | 4 |
| Los Angeles | $160,956 | 4 |
| Chicago | $135,900 | 3 |
| New York | $130,361 | 3 |
CNC Operator vs Plant Manager: which pays more?
The median for CNC Operator is $31.12/hr per year (typically $25.00/hr–$37.50/hr), versus $140,250 for Plant Manager ($113,610–$170,000). That puts Plant Manager about 117% ahead at the median.
Both figures are computed live from active listings on JobsRadar and normalized to annualized USD, so CNC Operator and Plant Manager are compared on equal terms regardless of the currency each role was originally posted in. Only roles that publish a salary range feed the medians; numbers refresh every few hours as new roles post and older ones close, so this comparison reflects the market right now rather than a fixed survey. Use it as a directional benchmark when weighing one path against the other.