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CNC machinist training by state

918 CNC machinist programs in 44 states and 1 territory, with costs, results and funding that can make them free

Which schools offer WIOA-approved CNC machinist training?

475 schools offer these programs, and each state on this page approved its programs for workforce funding. Pick a state on the map or compare them belowCompare the states below, then open one to see each program with its price and how past students did.

What does a CNC machinist do, and how do you become one?

Machinists set up and run equipment, including computer-controlled (CNC) machines, to make precision metal parts and tools. Community colleges and technical schools offer certificates and two-year degrees that teach reading engineering drawings and programming CNC machines.1

Approved programsup to 67 to 1213 to 33more than 33

How much does CNC machinist training cost?

Most CNC machinist programs approved for WIOA funding cost $2,301 to $7,400 if you pay yourself. Certificates and short courses mostly cost $2,067 to $6,056 and two-year degrees $7,728 to $12,688. Prices also differ by state: most cost $291 to $2,546 in Maine and $10,253 to $16,045 in Oregon.

That is the price of the whole program as the school reports it. If you qualify, WIOA funding can pay part or all of it, depending on local limits (who qualifies). The figures cover only programs approved for WIOA funding; other schools and programs may cost more or less.

Compare CNC machinist training by state: cost, pay and results

CNC machinist training by state
StateProgramsMost costEarned a year, estimatedWorking 6 months laterFinished
Alabama6$6,109 to $12,065Not enough dataLeft out50%
Arizona5$2,749 to $4,305Not enough dataNot enough dataNot enough data
Arkansas7$4,058 to $5,430Not enough dataNot enough dataNot enough data
California37$1,250 to $4,695Not enough data61%96%
Colorado19$3,087 to $9,412about $31,40045%33%
Connecticut19$4,070 to $7,950about $44,80085%85%
Florida18$2,216 to $5,000about $32,30042%78%
Georgia19$4,414 to $7,006about $45,60082%33%
Idaho1Not enough dataNot reportedLeft outNot enough data
Illinois64Left outNot reportedNot reportedNot reported
Indiana55$2,942 to $4,912about $42,10081%76%
Iowa10$3,715 to $12,726about $45,10085%54%
Kansas10$2,198 to $5,669Not enough dataNot enough data57%
Kentucky12$11,016 to $11,606Not enough dataNot enough dataNot enough data
Louisiana9$3,000 to $6,782Not enough dataLeft outLeft out
Maine8$291 to $2,546about $31,50080%79%
Maryland6$6,596 to $8,000about $36,90053%75%
Massachusetts15$3,425 to $7,788Not reportedNot reportedNot reported
Michigan34$4,334 to $10,597about $56,80092%57%
Minnesota46$2,849 to $10,023about $44,40086%63%
Mississippi16$5,750 to $8,520about $39,30082%Left out
Missouri33$2,178 to $7,865Not reportedNot reportedNot reported
Montana1No figures reported
Nebraska7$1,716 to $6,321Not enough dataNot enough dataNot enough data
Nevada12$2,068 to $4,151Not reportedNot reportedNot enough data
New Hampshire6$3,364 to $7,892Not enough dataLeft outNot enough data
New Jersey2Too few figures to show
New York6Too few figures to show
North Carolina33$1,288 to $5,414about $39,70075%56%
North Dakota1Too few figures to show
Ohio70$2,072 to $6,398Not enough dataNot enough dataNot enough data
Oklahoma12$2,279 to $2,936about $36,000Left out82%
Oregon5$10,253 to $16,045Not enough dataNot enough dataNot enough data
Pennsylvania39$3,745 to $9,750Not enough dataLeft outNot enough data
Puerto Rico2Not enough dataNot enough dataLeft outLeft out
Rhode Island1Too few figures to show
South Carolina1Too few figures to show
South Dakota5$4,320 to $19,448Not enough dataLeft outNot enough data
Tennessee32$5,455 to $5,760about $36,70085%82%
Texas82$1,996 to $6,506about $42,10075%48%
Utah9$2,143 to $4,937Not enough dataLeft outNot enough data
Virginia44$450 to $3,840Not enough dataNot enough data100%
Washington56$2,167 to $6,439Not enough dataNot enough data86%
Wisconsin40$2,484 to $8,387about $43,80078%73%
Wyoming3Not enough dataNot enough dataLeft outNot enough data

Each figure is the middle program in that state. Yearly earnings are the reported quarter times four, an estimate. Only programs approved for workforce funding are counted; other schools may offer CNC machinist training too. Source: US Department of Labor, program year 2024 (July 2024 to June 2025).How these figures are made

CNC training or machinist apprenticeship? What the 918 programs are

By kind, the 918 programs approved for WIOA funding are machinist certificate or diploma (503 programs), CNC or machine operator (128 programs), machinist (associate degree, 119 programs), short course or single class (83 programs), and 85 more of 3 other kinds. An apprenticeship is a paid job with classroom teaching, and you apply to the employer or the program sponsor.2

Across the US, 384 of the 918 programs take students without a high school diploma, 428 ask for a diploma or equivalent and 106 ask for earlier courses first.

Is there free CNC machinist training in the US?

Other training by state

Approved programs per field across every state. Each opens that field's comparison by state.

Where the machinist program numbers by state come from

Which machinist programs are counted?

Programs each state approved for WIOA funding (public workforce funding under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act), from the US Department of Labor's file for program year 2024 (July 2024 to June 2025), covering programs approved as of June 30, 2025. Each state keeps its approved programs on an eligible training provider list (ETPL).7 Schools that never applied for approval are missing.

What the figures for each state mean

Each figure is the middle program among those that report it: half did better, half did worse. Prices are what most programs cost if you pay yourself (the middle half). Earnings are for the second quarter after students left, times four. Where a figure is missing, the table says why: "Not reported", "Left out" or "Not enough data" (what each means).

Sources for the facts about CNC machinist training

Show the 7 sourcesHide the sources
  1. US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook: Machinists and Tool and Die Makers
  2. US Department of Labor, Apprenticeship.gov: Discover Apprenticeship: Earn While You Learn Today (fact sheet)
  3. US Department of Labor, TrainingProviderResults.gov: About This Site
  4. US Department of Labor: WIOA Adult Program
  5. Code of Federal Regulations, title 20, part 680, sections 680.220, 680.230 and 680.310: career services before training, other grants such as Pell Grants first, and limits on Individual Training Accounts (GovInfo, 2024 edition)
  6. US Department of Labor: American Job Centers
  7. US Department of Labor, Training and Employment Guidance Letter 8-19, Attachment I: Requirements for Training Providers, Program Eligibility, and the State Eligible Training Provider (ETP) List