SOC 51-9162 · Production Occupations · May 2025
How much do Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers make in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?
In the May 2025 Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics estimates, released May 15, 2026, the median annual wage for Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA is $60,330. The 10th percentile is $44,890 and the 90th percentile is $75,510. Employment is 60.
Median annual wage
$60,330
- 10th percentile
- $44,890
- 25th percentile
- $54,990
- Median
- $60,330
- 75th percentile
- $64,820
- 90th percentile
- $75,510
- Mean
- $61,010
Annual wage from the May 2025 OEWS estimates.

Percentile spread
For Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers, the published 10th percentile is $44,890 and the 90th percentile is $75,510. The difference is $30,620, which is 50.8% of the median. Ten percent of measured wages fall below the 10th percentile and ten percent fall above the 90th. How to read a percentile.
The middle half of the distribution, from the 25th percentile at $54,990 to the 75th at $64,820, covers $9,830.
The mean annual wage is $61,010, which sits above the median of $60,330. Median and mean measure different points in the same distribution.
National and state comparison
The Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA median is 11.4% lower than the national median of $68,120 for Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers. In 2024 national prices the local median is $69,299, which is 1.7% higher than that same national median. The national figure is already in national prices because the United States parity is 100.
It is 4.4% higher than the Iowa median of $57,780.
Price-adjusted pay
The 2024 all-items regional price parity for Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA is 87.057, with the United States at 100. The Bureau of Economic Analysis released those parities on February 19, 2026. Dividing the May 2025 median of $60,330 by that parity and multiplying by 100 puts Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers at $69,299 in national prices. The wage year and the price year are different. Compare this wage after prices.
Nearby metros
9 other metropolitan areas within 200 miles publish a annual median for Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers. Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA ranks 7th of 10 on that median, counting itself. Distance is the great-circle mileage between Census Bureau internal points (U.S. Census Bureau, 2024 Gazetteer Files, Core Based Statistical Areas, internal points (INTPTLAT, INTPTLONG).).
- Cedar Rapids, IA is 53 miles away, with a median of $59,050 and employment of 40. That median is 2.1% lower than the median here. In 2024 national prices it is $66,376, against $69,299 here.
- Dubuque, IA is 81 miles away, with a median of $55,770 and employment of 50. That median is 7.6% lower than the median here. In 2024 national prices it is $63,863, against $69,299 here.
- Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA is 94 miles away, with a median of $67,650 and employment of 80. That median is 12.1% higher than the median here. In 2024 national prices it is $73,772, against $69,299 here.
Employment share
Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers accounts for 0.07% of wage-and-salary employment in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA (60 of 84,260). Nationally the occupation is 0.02% of employment (28,500 of 155,495,730). The local share is 3.89 times the national share. That ratio is the location quotient computed from these May 2025 employment counts. It is not copied from the location-quotient column in the BLS bulk file.
Highest-paying jobs in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA · Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers by metro · How to read these percentiles · Median and mean · When a wage is not published · How the figures are made · Compare this wage after prices
Questions this page answers
How much do Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers make in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?
In the May 2025 OEWS estimates, released May 15, 2026, the median annual wage for Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA is $60,330. The 10th percentile is $44,890 and the 90th percentile is $75,510. Employment is 60.
How does that compare with the national median for Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers?
The local median is 11.4% lower than the national median of $68,120.
What is Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers pay in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA after local prices?
The 2024 all-items regional price parity for Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA is 87.057, with the United States at 100. In those national prices, the May 2025 median of $60,330 is $69,299. The wage is May 2025 and the parity is 2024.
How does Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA compare with nearby metros for Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers?
Cedar Rapids, IA is the closest metropolitan area within 200 miles with a published annual median, 53 miles away, at $59,050. Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA ranks 7th of 10 metros within 200 miles on that median. Distances use Census Bureau internal points.