BLS Official Data · OEWS May 2025

Cutting Machine Operators in North Carolina

$45,980 / year · average (mean) annual wage
$22.11 per hour

▼ 5.1% below U.S. average36th of 49 states

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Dataset: OEWS May 2025 Published: May 2026 Coverage: All 50 States + DC
Average$45,980per year
Median$43,400per year
Hourly$22.11per hour
10th – 90th percentile$35,180 – $62,120per year

Cutting Machine Operators Pay Range in North Carolina

Pay distribution across experience levels

  • 10th Percentile — Entry Level$35,180
  • 25th Percentile — Junior$37,390
  • 50th Percentile — Median$43,400
  • 75th Percentile — Senior$50,090
  • 90th Percentile — Top Earners$62,120

Half of Cutting Machine Operators in North Carolina earn more than $43,400. The top 10% make $62,120 or more, while entry-level workers start around $35,180.

Cutting Machine Operators in North Carolina: Key Facts

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025

  • North Carolina ranks 36th of 49 states for Cutting Machine Operators pay, at $45,980 per year (5.1% below the U.S. average of $48,430).
  • 3,940 people work as Cutting Machine Operators in North Carolina — 2.3% of all U.S. Cutting Machine Operators jobs.
  • Location quotient 0.72: Cutting Machine Operators jobs are less concentrated in North Carolina than in the U.S. overall.
  • Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $35,180; the top 10% earn over $62,120.
  • Hourly equivalent: $22.11 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
  • The highest-paying state is Oregon at $55,390.
  • Among manufacturing jobs in North Carolina, First-Line Supervisors of Production Workers pays the most ($72,480).

Cutting Machine Operators Job Market in North Carolina

Key factors affecting compensation

North Carolina's key industries are Technology, Finance, Agriculture, and its job market is rated strong. Cutting Machine Operators here earn $45,980 on average, placing the state 36th nationally.

With a cost-of-living index of 0.91 (U.S. = 1.00), a North Carolina salary of $45,980 is roughly equivalent to $50,527 at the national average cost of living.

Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Georgia ($47,040), Vermont ($46,870), Nevada ($46,710) are the closest alternatives for Cutting Machine Operators weighing a move.

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025

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Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about this salary

What is the average Cutting Machine Operators salary in North Carolina?

The average Cutting Machine Operators salary in North Carolina is $45,980 per year (median $43,400), which is 5.1% below the national average of $48,430.

How does North Carolina rank for Cutting Machine Operators pay?

North Carolina ranks 36th out of 49 states. The highest-paying state is Oregon ($55,390/yr).

How much do entry-level Cutting Machine Operators make in North Carolina?

The lowest-paid 10% of Cutting Machine Operators in North Carolina earn about $35,180 per year and the 25th percentile is $37,390.

How much do Cutting Machine Operators make per hour in North Carolina?

About $22.11 per hour, based on the $45,980 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.

How many Cutting Machine Operators work in North Carolina?

BLS counts 3,940 Cutting Machine Operators jobs in North Carolina (OEWS May 2025).

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