Digital fabrication

Digital fabrication is the youngest trade in this archive and the only one whose tools are defined by their control system rather than their cutting action. O*NET’s closest occupations are computer numerically controlled tool operators, who operate computer-controlled tools, machines or robots to process parts of metal, plastic, wood, stone or other materials, and CNC tool programmers, who develop the programs that control them.

O*NET records 72 tool commodities for CNC operators and 31 for programmers. The archive treats a CNC router, a laser cutter and a 3D printer as cousins of the hand tools whose actions they automate: the router cuts, the laser cuts by burning or melting, and the printer builds a part by adding material.

O*NET OnLine, the occupational database of the US Department of Labor, reports for Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators (51-9161.00), 170,000 people in 2025, a median wage of $24.37 an hour ($50,690 a year), projected growth for 2025–2035 described as decline (-1% or lower), and 12,500 projected job openings; for Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers (51-9162.00), 28,600 people in 2025, a median wage of $32.75 an hour ($68,120 a year), projected growth for 2025–2035 described as faster than average (5% to 6%), and 2,700 projected job openings.