Prevailing Wage for Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
CNC Lathe Operator (Computer Numerical Control Lathe Operator) roles sponsored under H-1B, E-3, or green card petitions must meet the DOL prevailing wage for the worksite location. Whether the position is titled CNC Setup Operator or simply Lathe Operator, DOL sets four experience-based wage levels and the floor varies considerably by city.
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Level 1 covers entry-level CNC lathe operators with limited experience, typically performing routine turning and boring tasks under close supervision. Workers at this level follow established procedures and have minimal independent decision-making responsibility on setup or tooling adjustments.
Level 2 applies to qualified operators who work with moderate supervision and handle a broader range of materials and tolerances. This is the most common filing level for sponsored CNC lathe operator positions, reflecting standard production-floor proficiency with some independent judgment on setups.
Level 3 covers experienced operators who set up complex turning programs, troubleshoot CNC code, and mentor junior staff with limited oversight. Workers at this level handle precision tolerances, multi-axis configurations, and non-routine machining problems that require applied technical judgment.
Level 4 applies to fully competent lead operators or setup specialists with advanced CNC programming knowledge, responsibility for process improvement, and authority over tooling decisions. These workers typically train others and may oversee a turning cell or department shift.
Prevailing Wage for Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic by OES area
Each shape is a DOL OES area, the unit prevailing wage is published for.
What’s an OES area?
The Department of Labor publishes prevailing wages for geographic zones called OES areas. Every U.S. county belongs to exactly one, and the wage floor applies across the whole area. A worker in Oakland gets the San Francisco metro wage, not a separate Oakland wage.
Top 10 cities · Level 1
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See which U.S. employers are actively hiring for CNC Lathe Operator and sponsoring H-1B, OPT, and green card visas at or above the prevailing wage.
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Verify which SOC code your employer filed
Titles like 'Machine Operator' or 'NC Operator' are sometimes filed under a broader production SOC rather than 51-4034, which carries a different wage floor. Confirm the SOC on your certified LCA matches the CNC lathe operator classification before comparing offers.
Watch the gap between Memphis and Greeley wages
DOL prevailing wages for this occupation vary sharply by metro. The L1 floor in a high-cost market can exceed the L4 ceiling in lower-paying metros like Memphis or Oklahoma City, so worksite location on the LCA determines your actual protected floor.
Check whether production bonuses count toward compliance
Many machine shops pay shift-differential and production bonuses, but only the base wage counts toward DOL prevailing wage compliance on an LCA. Overtime and non-guaranteed bonuses cannot be used to bridge a gap between your offer and the floor.
Find employers who have sponsored CNC lathe roles before
Migrate Mate shows which employers have a history of sponsoring CNC lathe operator and CNC setup operator positions, so you can target companies already familiar with the LCA process for SOC 51-4034 rather than educating a first-time sponsor.
Jobs for Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic are hiring across the US. Find yours.
Find Jobs for CNC Lathe OperatorPrevailing Wage by Reported Job Title
DOL classifies these titles under SOC 51-4034.00 alongside Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic, so the same four-tier wage schedule applies to each. Tap a title to see the full breakdown.
CNC Lathe Operator (Computer Numerical Control Lathe Operator) Prevailing Wage
CNC Lathe Operator (Computer Numerical Control Lathe Operator) Prevailing Wage
CNC Lathe Operator (Computer Numerical Control Lathe Operator) positions fall under SOC 51-4034.00 (Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
CNC Setup Operator (Computer Numerical Control Setup Operator) Prevailing Wage
CNC Setup Operator (Computer Numerical Control Setup Operator) Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a CNC Setup Operator (Computer Numerical Control Setup Operator) for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 51-4034.00 (Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
Lathe Operator Prevailing Wage
Lathe Operator Prevailing Wage
Lathe Operator is an O*NET-reported job title within SOC 51-4034.00 (Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic). All roles in this SOC share the same prevailing wage tiers. The level an employer files at depends on what the role requires, not which title is used.
Machine Operator Prevailing Wage
Machine Operator Prevailing Wage
Machine Operator positions fall under SOC 51-4034.00 (Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
Numerical Control Operator (NC Operator) Prevailing Wage
Numerical Control Operator (NC Operator) Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a Numerical Control Operator (NC Operator) for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 51-4034.00 (Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
Screw Machine Operator Prevailing Wage
Screw Machine Operator Prevailing Wage
Screw Machine Operator is an O*NET-reported job title within SOC 51-4034.00 (Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic). All roles in this SOC share the same prevailing wage tiers. The level an employer files at depends on what the role requires, not which title is used.
Screw Machine Tool Setter Prevailing Wage
Screw Machine Tool Setter Prevailing Wage
Screw Machine Tool Setter positions fall under SOC 51-4034.00 (Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
Setup Operator Prevailing Wage
Setup Operator Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a Setup Operator for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 51-4034.00 (Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
Turn Operator Prevailing Wage
Turn Operator Prevailing Wage
Turn Operator is an O*NET-reported job title within SOC 51-4034.00 (Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic). All roles in this SOC share the same prevailing wage tiers. The level an employer files at depends on what the role requires, not which title is used.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does DOL set the prevailing wage for CNC lathe operator positions?
DOL uses Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey data collected by the Bureau of Labor Statistics across metropolitan and non-metropolitan areas. For SOC 51-4034, OFLC assigns the wage from the OES wage record matching the worksite area. Employers must pay at least the prevailing wage for the relevant experience level when filing an LCA for a sponsored CNC lathe operator.
What do the four wage levels mean and how do I know which one applies to my offer?
DOL defines four levels based on experience, supervision, and job complexity. Level 1 is entry-level with close supervision; Level 2 is qualified with moderate independence; Level 3 is experienced with limited oversight; Level 4 is fully competent or lead. Your employer selects the level on the LCA. Compare the job duties, years of experience required, and supervisory structure in your offer letter to the DOL level definitions to confirm the right classification.
Why does the prevailing wage for the same CNC lathe operator role differ so much from city to city?
OFLC uses regional OES surveys, so wages reflect local labor market conditions rather than a single national figure. The LCA must list the actual worksite address, and the wage floor ties to that specific metro or non-metro area. A sponsored position in a high-concentration manufacturing corridor carries a different floor than the same title in a lower-cost region, with no averaging across locations permitted.
What happens if my job offer is below the prevailing wage for a sponsored CNC lathe position?
OFLC will not certify an LCA where the offered wage falls below the prevailing wage for the worksite and level. Without a certified LCA, USCIS cannot approve the H-1B or other work visa petition. The employer must either increase the offered salary to meet the floor, reclassify to a lower level if the duties support it, or the sponsorship cannot proceed.
How do I find and verify the prevailing wage for a CNC lathe operator position in a specific U.S. city?
Use the OFLC Wage Search tool to look up the current OES prevailing wage for SOC 51-4034 in your target metropolitan area. Select the occupation code, enter the worksite state and metro, and note the wage at the level matching your offer. You can also cross-reference with BLS data. Migrate Mate lists employers with a sponsorship history for this occupation, helping you identify companies already set up to file at the correct wage level.
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