Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers
Develop programs to control machining or processing of materials by automatic machine tools, equipment, or systems. May also set up, operate, or maintain equipment.
28,500 people do this job in the US. $68,120 a year.
of the working time. Estimate.
- 84%
- 0%
- 16%
Measured, from Anthropic's usage data (2025). Counts help on part of a task.
On the chosen pace and reliability. Estimate.
Share of the working time within reach, now to 2030
What each choice means: , , , , . Every pace starts from .
At this date and pace, models finish tasks up to 4.4 h long four times in five.
How far this has come
With GPT-4, measured in March 2023, 0% of this job's working time was within reach at . With Claude 3.7 Sonnet, measured in February 2025, 1%. With Claude Mythos Preview (early), measured in April 2026, 57%. Today's estimate: 67%.
A backcast: today's task data with the best model METR had measured by each date. It shows how fast the models have moved, not what anyone forecast at the time.
The tasks
Sorted by . 16 tasks from .
| Task | Kind | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Write programs in the language of a machine's controller and store programs on media, such as punch tapes, magnetic tapes, or disks.Done daily by most who do it. | 15% | 1.7 h38 min to 5 h | 66%Half by now | |
| Analyze job orders, drawings, blueprints, specifications, printed circuit board pattern films, and design data to calculate dimensions, tool selection, machine speeds, and feed rates.Done several times a day by most who do it. | 15% | 1.3 h38 min to 4.2 h | 84%Half by now | |
| Determine the sequence of machine operations, and select the proper cutting tools needed to machine workpieces into the desired shapes.Done daily by most who do it. | 10% | 50 min25 min to 3.3 h | 89%Half by now | |
| Observe machines on trial runs or conduct computer simulations to ensure that programs and machinery will function properly and produce items that meet specifications.Done daily by most who do it. | 9% | 1.3 h25 min to 4.2 h | Stays with people | |
| Modify existing programs to enhance efficiency.Done daily by most who do it. AI observed on this task. | 8% | 1.3 h25 min to 3.3 h | 77%Half by now | |
| Determine reference points, machine cutting paths, or hole locations, and compute angular and linear dimensions, radii, and curvatures.Done several times a day by most who do it. | 7% | 50 min25 min to 2.5 h | 95%Half by now | |
| Prepare geometric layouts from graphic displays, using computer-assisted drafting software or drafting instruments and graph paper.Done daily by most who do it. | 7% | 1.3 h25 min to 5 h | 63%Half by now | |
| Revise programs or tapes to eliminate errors, and retest programs to check that problems have been solved.Done daily by most who do it. AI observed on this task. | 7% | 50 min25 min to 3.3 h | 89%Half by now | |
| Write instruction sheets and cutter lists for a machine's controller to guide setup and encode numerical control tapes.Done daily by most who do it. | 5% | 1.7 h25 min to 3.3 h | 65%Half by now | |
| Enter coordinates of hole locations into program memories by depressing pedals or buttons of programmers.Done daily by most who do it. | 3% | 38 min13 min to 1.3 h | Stays with people | |
| Enter computer commands to store or retrieve parts patterns, graphic displays, or programs that transfer data to other media.Done daily by most who do it. | 3% | 17 min4 min to 50 min | 96%Half by now | |
| Compare encoded tapes or computer printouts with original part specifications and blueprints to verify accuracy of instructions.Done daily by most who do it. | 3% | 38 min13 min to 1.7 h | 95%Half by now |
Within reach, per task: the share of the task's time whose instances are short enough for a model to finish at the chosen date, pace and reliability. Half by: the date half of that time comes within reach.
Jobs that share skills with this one
From O*NET's related occupations. Within reach now and by the end of 2028, long-run pace, four in five.
Where this job works
The industry groups that employ the most of it (BLS, May 2025).
- Machine Shops; Turned Product; and Screw, Nut, and Bolt Manufacturing5,420 people
- Machinery Manufacturing (3331, 3332, 3334, and 3339 only)2,670 people
- Metalworking Machinery Manufacturing2,420 people
- Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing (3321, 3322, 3325, 3326, and 3329 only)2,330 people
- Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing2,060 people
Where the most of these jobs are
The metro areas with the most people in it (BLS, May 2025).