Side-by-side distribution
CNC Operator
$78,520
median · per year, annualized USD
- Disclosing
- 31.8%
- Live roles
- 154
Production Manager
$106,250
median · per year, annualized USD
- Disclosing
- 37.9%
- Live roles
- 309
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
Creative Artwork Production Manager (12-month fixed term contract)
Production Manager
Sr. Manager - Production Engineering
Senior Manager, Production Engineering
Manager, Engineering (Production Orchestration)
Staff Technical Program Manager, Production
Media Production Manager
Senior Technical Program Manager, Production Engineering
Staff Production Program Manager
Sr Manager, Production Operations
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 | 15 |
HelloFresh
|
$58,763 | 8 |
LandCare
|
$75,000 | 7 |
Gotion, Inc.
|
$123,750 | 6 |
J&J Snack Foods
|
$67,500 | 5 |
Relativity Space
|
$162,000 | 3 |
Vast
|
$160,000 | 3 |
Keller Executive Search
|
$95,000 | 3 |
CNC Operator salary by location
| Location | Median | Roles |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles | $83,200 | 5 |
Production Manager salary by location
| Location | Median | Roles |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco | $148,650 | 4 |
| Atlanta | $146,500 | 3 |
| New York | $103,750 | 10 |
| Los Angeles | $94,736 | 8 |
CNC Operator vs Production Manager: which pays more?
The median for CNC Operator is $78,520 per year (typically $61,360–$102,440), versus $106,250 for Production Manager ($83,803–$135,750). That puts Production Manager about 35% ahead at the median.
Both figures are computed live from active listings on JobsRadar and normalized to annualized USD, so CNC Operator and Production 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.