Brake operator vs machine set up operator

The differences between brake operators and machine set up operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a brake operator and a machine set up operator. Additionally, a brake operator has an average salary of $38,911, which is higher than the $35,823 average annual salary of a machine set up operator.

The top three skills for a brake operator include calipers, basic math and tape measure. The most important skills for a machine set up operator are cnc machines, calipers, and micrometers.

Brake operator vs machine set up operator overview

	Brake Operator	Machine Set Up Operator
Yearly salary	$38,911	$35,823
Hourly rate	$18.71	$17.22
Growth rate	-5%	-8%
Number of jobs	46,164	61,986
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 50%	High School Diploma, 49%
Average age	46	43
Years of experience	2	2

Brake operator vs machine set up operator salary

Brake operators and machine set up operators have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Brake Operator	Machine Set Up Operator
Average salary	$38,911	$35,823
Salary range	Between $30,000 And $49,000	Between $28,000 And $45,000
Highest paying City	-	Holyoke, MA
Highest paying state	-	California
Best paying company	-	ABB
Best paying industry	-	Automotive

Differences between brake operator and machine set up operator education

There are a few differences between a brake operator and a machine set up operator in terms of educational background:

	Brake Operator	Machine Set Up Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 50%	High School Diploma, 49%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Brake operator vs machine set up operator demographics

Here are the differences between brake operators' and machine set up operators' demographics:

	Brake Operator	Machine Set Up Operator
Average age	46	43
Gender ratio	Male, 87.8% Female, 12.2%	Male, 86.5% Female, 13.5%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 7.9% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 13.4% Asian, 1.7% White, 71.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%	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	3%	6%

Differences between brake operator and machine set up operator duties and responsibilities

Brake operator example responsibilities.

Experience using micrometers, squares, calipers and protractors.
Perform light mig and tig welding and metal refinishing.
Align motor, air end and coupling using calipers, dial indicators and straight edges.
Operate brake press to meet OE specifications.
Perform basic troubleshooting of extrusion machinery and plastics processes.
Measure part angle with protractor, flange length with measureing tape and material thickness with micrometer.

Machine set up operator example responsibilities.

Perform trial runs on new CNC programs, working with programming and tooling to achieve satisfactory parts.
Used micrometers and calipers to determine require tolerances.
Follow ISO and QS standard operating procedures.
Panel control, fanuc control, & dynapath.
Run machines after setup, inspect parts run.
Work on CNC OKUMA machines, horizontals and verticals.

Brake operator vs machine set up operator skills

Common brake operator skills

Calipers, 15%
Basic Math, 14%
Tape Measure, 12%
Hand Tools, 10%
Pallets, 6%
Read Blueprints, 6%

Common machine set up operator skills

CNC Machines, 13%
Calipers, 10%
Micrometers, 9%
CNC Lathes, 6%
Quality Checks, 5%
Math, 5%

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Production and Manufacturing Industry
Brake Operator
Brake Operator vs Machine Set Up Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

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