The use of carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) in aviation, automobile, marine and offshore, etc. increases sharply. The metals such as aluminum alloy are still widely used in these industries. Then, the joining technology of CFRP-metal is one of the key problems urgently to be solved and developed in these industries, especially in aviation industries. Thus, this paper gives a review on the joining processes of carbon fiber-reinforced polymer and metal. The implementation processes and joining material types of adhesive bonding, bolt connection, riveting, welding, “z-pin” (pin inserts), and joining (such as self-pierce riveting, hot riveting, mechanical clinching, friction welding) by plastic deformation, were summarized. Some future researches and developments of high-performance, light-weight, and high-reliability CFRP-metal hybrid joint were highlighted.