How much does a CNC Set Up Machinist make in Illinois? As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a CNC Set Up Machinist in Illinois is $74,768 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $36.

However, a CNC Set Up Machinist's salary can vary significantly. Here's a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $88,542
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $68,125 to $81,978
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $62,076

Key Factors That Influence CNC Set Up Machinist Salaries

A CNC Set Up Machinist's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects CNC Set Up Machinist Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a CNC Set Up Machinist's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $70,958
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $71,167
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $73,767
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $76,570
  • Expert (over 8 years): $76,771
Job RoleYears of ExperienceAverage Salary
Entry Level CNC Set Up Machinist less than 1 year $70,958
Early Career Level CNC Set Up Machinist 1-2 years $71,167
Mid-Level Level CNC Set Up Machinist 2-4 years $73,767
Senior-Level Level CNC Set Up Machinist 5-8 years $76,570
Expert Level CNC Set Up Machinist over 8 years $76,771

Top Paying Cities for CNC Set Up Machinist

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • Effingham: $68,921
  • Saint Peter: $68,826
  • Salem: $69,088

CNC Set Up Machinist Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For CNC Set Up Machinist roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Aerospace & Defense and MFG Durable sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, CNC Set Up Machinist positions in Energy & Utilities or MFG Nondurable typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view CNC Set Up Machinist as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a CNC Set Up Machinist

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Aerospace & Defense $89,722 $43.0 20%
MFG Durable $82,245 $40.0 10%

CNC Set Up Machinist Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a CNC Set Up Machinist's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

  • Yearly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Hourly
  • Table View
Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$68,125
Average $74,768/year
$81,978
$5,677
Average $6,231/month
$6,831
$1,310
Average $1,438/week
$1,576
$33
Average $36/hour
$39
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $81,978 $6,831 $1,576 $39
Average $74,768 $6,231 $1,438 $36
25th Percentile $68,125 $5,677 $1,310 $33

Find Your Next CNC Set Up Machinist Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current CNC Set Up Machinist job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

  • Atlas Fibre | Northbrook, IL

    Atlas Fibre | Northbrook, IL

    Job Description. Job Description. Company. Atlas Fibre Company. Location. Northbrook, Illinois. Shift. Second Shift. Position Summary. Atlas Fibre Company ... more

    5 Days Ago

  • Chemring Energetic Devices, Inc | Downers Grove, IL

    Chemring Energetic Devices, Inc | Downers Grove, IL

    Job Description. Job Description. Description.  . As Chemring Energetic Devices (CED) celebrates 50 years of building products that protect our country, pr... more

    3 Days Ago

  • Hughes Recruiting & Consulting | Rockford, IL

    Hughes Recruiting & Consulting | Rockford, IL

    Job Description. Job Description. CNC.  . Set.  U. p. Lathes.  Operator. Rockford, IL. Our customer in Rockford, Illinois is seeking motivated individuals ... more

    2 Days Ago

  • Sterling Engineering Inc. | Itasca, IL

    Sterling Engineering Inc. | Itasca, IL

    Job Description. Job Description. Title. CNC Machinist – Mazak Mills. Location. Itasca, IL. Job Type. Contract / Contract-to-Hire. Pay. Up to $30/hour, bas... more

    2 Days Ago

  • ACME Careers | Elk Grove Village, IL

    ACME Careers | Elk Grove Village, IL

    Job Description. Job Description. Description.   . CNC Mill Setup Technician - 2nd ShiftEarn Up to. $35.20/Hour. + Hire-On Bonus + Benefits Starting Day On... more

    5 Days Ago

  • Barton Staffing Solutions | Broadview, IL

    Barton Staffing Solutions | Broadview, IL

    Job Description. Job Description. Our client, a growing manufacturing company located in the western suburbs of Chicago, is seeking skilled. CNC Machinists... more

    5 Days Ago

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