Start with the answer
Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators pay in Montana and Washington
The May 2025 BLS OEWS median for Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators is $51,880 per year in Montana. It is $107,920 per year in Washington. Montana is 51.9% below Washington on the published median.
Both rows use SOC 51-9161 and the same annual wage metric. Median means the middle of each area's published wage spread. It is not one worker's pay. The larger median is not proof that one place gives a better job or a better result. It is one wage fact from one source period.
BLS lists 240 wage and salary jobs in Montana and 2,270 in Washington. Those are survey job counts, not open posts. Read pay, job scale, local share, and price level as separate facts before you make a choice.
Evidence: bls-oews-may-2025 · Rule: same-soc-same-metric-pair · nominal-median-gap · employment-not-openings