Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers vs Prepress Technicians and Workers: $68K vs $49K Median Pay

Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers vs Prepress Technicians and Workers: what changes?

Consider Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers if you want to develop programs to control machining or processing of materials by automatic machine tools, equipment, or systems. Consider Prepress Technicians and Workers if you would rather format and proof text and images submitted by designers and clients into finished pages that can be printed. Both list postsecondary nondegree award; compare training and prior experience separately.

Try this next: Compare three local entry-level postings for Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers and Prepress Technicians and Workers. List the duties, credentials, prior experience, and paid training each employer actually asks for. Try a supervised class or sample project from each field before choosing a program.

BLS 2025 wages and 2025–2035 projections. National medians are not starting offers. Occupation size is not a count of vacancies. View the BLS data.

Compare the practical differences

Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers

National median pay (2025): $68,120
Route into the job: Postsecondary nondegree award; More than one month and up to 12 months of on-the-job training, in addition to any qualifying education or licensing
Prior related experience: No prior related occupation is typically required; employer requirements vary.
Training and licensing: More than one month and up to 12 months of on-the-job training, in addition to any qualifying education or licensing.
Work to investigate: Determine the sequence of machine operations, and select the proper cutting tools needed to machine workpieces into the desired shapes.
Annual openings (2025–2035): 2,700

Know before you choose

Hands-on manipulation of tools, controls, or objects occupies a meaningful part of the workday.

See the full Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers brief

Prepress Technicians and Workers

National median pay (2025): $48,690
Route into the job: Postsecondary nondegree award
Prior related experience: No prior related occupation is typically required; employer requirements vary.
Training and licensing: BLS does not list a separate on-the-job training requirement. Employers may still provide orientation and role-specific training.
Work to investigate: Generate prepress proofs in digital or other format to approximate the appearance of the final printed piece.
Annual openings (2025–2035): 2,100

Know before you choose

BLS projects employment to shrink 15.3% from 2025 to 2035. Openings can still occur when existing workers leave.

See the full Prepress Technicians and Workers brief

How the national numbers differ

Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers has the edge on projected growth

Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers is at 5.9% projected growth, compared with -15.3% projected growth for Prepress Technicians and Workers.

Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers has the edge on median pay

Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers is at $68,120, compared with $48,690 for Prepress Technicians and Workers.

Typical preparation differs.

Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers: Postsecondary nondegree award; More than one month and up to 12 months of on-the-job training, in addition to any qualifying education or licensing Prepress Technicians and Workers: Postsecondary nondegree award Preparation categories do not establish admission difficulty, calendar time, tuition, time without earnings, or licensing difficulty.

Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers has the edge on annual openings

Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers is at 2,700 annual openings, compared with 2,100 annual openings for Prepress Technicians and Workers.

61.1/ 100

Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers

26.6/ 100

Prepress Technicians and Workers

Each available metric is ranked from 0 to 100 against the careers on ChooseField. The weighted average uses this profile: pay 30%, growth 25%, openings 30%, preparation level 15%. Missing values are not scored as zero; their weights are redistributed across available metrics. Occupation size has zero weight: employment is not accessible vacancies. Preparation categories do not measure admission difficulty or years without earnings. The score summarizes national measures; local opportunities and personal fit still need separate consideration.

Detailed evidence

Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers vs Prepress Technicians and Workers

Dimension	Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers	Prepress Technicians and Workers
Median pay (2025)	$68,120	$48,690
Pay percentile	59.8 percentile	29 percentile
Projected growth (2025–2035)	5.9%	-15.3%
Annual openings (2025–2035)	2,700	2,100
2025 employment	28,600	24,700
How you qualify	Postsecondary nondegree award; More than one month and up to 12 months of on-the-job training, in addition to any qualifying education or licensing	Postsecondary nondegree award
O*NET preparation group	Job Zone 2	Job Zone 3
Related work experience	No prior related occupation is typically required; employer requirements vary.	No prior related occupation is typically required; employer requirements vary.
On-the-job training	More than one month and up to 12 months of on-the-job training, in addition to any qualifying education or licensing.	BLS does not list a separate on-the-job training requirement. Employers may still provide orientation and role-specific training.

The table reports national benchmarks and reviewed work descriptions. It does not rate personal suitability, job security, or physical safety.

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Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers vs Prepress Technicians and Workers: what changes?

The facts most likely to affect your decision

Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers

Prepress Technicians and Workers

How the national numbers differ

Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers has the edge on projected growth

Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers has the edge on median pay

Typical preparation differs.

Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers has the edge on annual openings

Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers vs Prepress Technicians and Workers

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