Blasting machine operator vs laser operator

The differences between blasting machine operators and laser operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a blasting machine operator, becoming a laser operator takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a laser operator has an average salary of $34,813, which is higher than the $31,116 average annual salary of a blasting machine operator.

The top three skills for a blasting machine operator include basic math, hand tools and blast machine. The most important skills for a laser operator are laser cutting, calipers, and laser machine.

Blasting machine operator vs laser operator overview

	Blasting Machine Operator	Laser Operator
Yearly salary	$31,116	$34,813
Hourly rate	$14.96	$16.74
Growth rate	4%	-8%
Number of jobs	57,806	56,479
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 63%	High School Diploma, 42%
Average age	43	43
Years of experience	4	2

Blasting machine operator vs laser operator salary

Blasting machine operators and laser operators have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Blasting Machine Operator	Laser Operator
Average salary	$31,116	$34,813
Salary range	Between $21,000 And $46,000	Between $27,000 And $44,000
Highest paying City	-	Oregon City, OR
Highest paying state	-	Oregon
Best paying company	-	Kloeckner Metals
Best paying industry	-	Technology

Differences between blasting machine operator and laser operator education

There are a few differences between a blasting machine operator and a laser operator in terms of educational background:

	Blasting Machine Operator	Laser Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 63%	High School Diploma, 42%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Blasting machine operator vs laser operator demographics

Here are the differences between blasting machine operators' and laser operators' demographics:

	Blasting Machine Operator	Laser Operator
Average age	43	43
Gender ratio	Male, 92.0% Female, 8.0%	Male, 82.1% Female, 17.9%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 9.2% Unknown, 3.7% Hispanic or Latino, 16.0% Asian, 2.5% White, 67.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.3%	Black or African American, 4.8% Unknown, 5.4% Hispanic or Latino, 14.6% Asian, 6.0% White, 68.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%
LGBT Percentage	2%	6%

Differences between blasting machine operator and laser operator duties and responsibilities

Blasting machine operator example responsibilities.

Assure that the proper abrasive metal, grit, metal shoot, seed, glass bead etc.
Utilize up to three 30 ton roof cranes simultaneously to safely maneuver girders weighing up to 82 tons.
Record statistics on ISO documentation, and coordinate with machine technicians and electrical technicians to keep machines operating at maximum efficiency.
Operate industrial paint vats, cross train on overhead cab crane and heat treat.
Operate CNC horizontal milling machines and CNC wire and sinker EDM machines.
Assemble bolt and wire harnesses, forklift, tool crib, and EDM machine operator.

Laser operator example responsibilities.

Calculate requirements, using basic math, geometry.
Follow and comply to GMP, FDA, and ISO regulations
Uphold all ISO and OSHA standards applicable to the responsibilities list above.
Complete SPC charts to track tool capability and hold tight tolerances on small parts.
Used micrometers and protractors to check dimension and angle of part during all job set ups and quality control checks.
Perform quality control inspection using calipers/gauges/micrometers and digital comparators.

Blasting machine operator vs laser operator skills

Common blasting machine operator skills

Basic Math, 76%
Hand Tools, 5%
Blast Machine, 5%
Cranes, 5%
Grit, 4%
CNC, 2%

Common laser operator skills

Laser Cutting, 13%
Calipers, 8%
Laser Machine, 7%
Math, 6%
Hand Tools, 5%
CNC Laser, 4%

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Blasting Machine Operator
Blasting Machine Operator vs Laser Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

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