A continuously variable attenuator for the CO2 laser, causing minimal degradation of beam quality, is implemented using rotating ZnSe wedges, and is capable of transmissivities between 0.3% and 18%, and between 27% and 89%. The transmissivity at any particular setting was measured to be essentially constant for wavelengths from 9.27 mu m (9R20) to 10.77 mu m (10P36).