Side-by-side distribution
CNC Operator
$78,520
median · per year, annualized USD
- Disclosing
- 31.8%
- Live roles
- 154
Process Engineer
$131,500
median · per year, annualized USD
- Disclosing
- 31.3%
- Live roles
- 393
Highest-paying jobs
CNC Operator
CNC Lathe Setup/Operator
CNC Programmer & Machinist (3- Axis & 5-Axis Okuma)
Senior CNC Programmer & Machinist, 5-Axis
CNC Machinist
Senior CNC Machinist
Senior Composite CNC Programmer
CNC Programmer (Mill, Lathe & Swiss)
CNC Programmer (Starship Components) - Level 4/5 (2nd Shift)
CNC Machine Programmer
Highest-paying jobs
Advanced Packaging Process Engineer
Senior Process Engineer
Process Engineer, Powder
Process Development Engineer
Principal Process Engineer, Fuel Cycle
Senior Process Engineer (Power Generation / Gas-to-Power)
Senior Additive Manufacturing Process Engineer
Senior Process Engineer, Fuel Cycle
Senior Process Control Engineer
Process Engineer
Top companies hiring
| Company | Median | Roles |
|---|---|---|
|
SpaceX
|
$78,520 | 10 |
|
Mach Industries
|
$85,280 | 3 |
|
Rennscot MFG
|
$84,240 | 3 |
Thorlabs
|
$67,600 | 3 |
| LP Lionshead Precision Metals | $48,880 | 3 |
|
Inversion
|
$108,160 | 2 |
|
General Matter
|
$93,600 | 2 |
Freeform
|
$70,200 | 2 |
Top companies hiring
| Company | Median | Roles |
|---|---|---|
Anduril Industries
|
$146,500 | 5 |
Phoenix Tailings
|
$140,000 | 5 |
|
Helion
|
$198,000 | 4 |
Mariana Minerals
|
$141,250 | 4 |
Blue Current
|
$135,800 | 4 |
Solid Power
|
$111,500 | 4 |
Scout Motors
|
$110,000 | 4 |
Apex Companies
|
$95,000 | 4 |
CNC Operator salary by location
| Location | Median | Roles |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles | $83,200 | 5 |
Process Engineer salary by location
| Location | Median | Roles |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco | $154,750 | 4 |
| Boston | $143,750 | 4 |
| New York | $141,250 | 4 |
| Los Angeles | $117,500 | 5 |
CNC Operator vs Process Engineer: which pays more?
The median for CNC Operator is $78,520 per year (typically $61,360–$102,440), versus $131,500 for Process Engineer ($107,500–$160,000). That puts Process Engineer about 67% ahead at the median.
Both figures are computed live from active listings on JobsRadar and normalized to annualized USD, so CNC Operator and Process Engineer 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.