Control operator vs machine set up operator

The differences between control 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 control operator and a machine set up operator. Additionally, a control operator has an average salary of $42,885, which is higher than the $35,823 average annual salary of a machine set up operator.

The top three skills for a control operator include customer service, safety procedures and payroll. The most important skills for a machine set up operator are cnc machines, calipers, and micrometers.

Control operator vs machine set up operator overview

	Control Operator	Machine Set Up Operator
Yearly salary	$42,885	$35,823
Hourly rate	$20.62	$17.22
Growth rate	-8%	-8%
Number of jobs	64,435	61,986
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 58%	High School Diploma, 49%
Average age	43	43
Years of experience	2	2

Control operator vs machine set up operator salary

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

	Control Operator	Machine Set Up Operator
Average salary	$42,885	$35,823
Salary range	Between $33,000 And $55,000	Between $28,000 And $45,000
Highest paying City	Hoffman Estates, IL	Holyoke, MA
Highest paying state	Illinois	California
Best paying company	Battelle	ABB
Best paying industry	Energy	Automotive

Differences between control operator and machine set up operator education

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

	Control Operator	Machine Set Up Operator
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 58%	High School Diploma, 49%
Most common major	Accounting	Business
Most common college	University of Pennsylvania	-

Control operator vs machine set up operator demographics

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

	Control Operator	Machine Set Up Operator
Average age	43	43
Gender ratio	Male, 76.8% Female, 23.2%	Male, 86.5% Female, 13.5%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 4.8% Unknown, 5.4% Hispanic or Latino, 14.5% Asian, 6.0% White, 68.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%	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	6%	6%

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

Control operator example responsibilities.

Manage day to day processing of accounts receivable and payable using QuickBooks, producing reports as needed.
Manage all financial activities including financial reporting, general accounting, budgeting, cost accounting, A/R, A/P.
Manage, analyze, and prepare period- and year-end documentation, ensuring generally accept accounting principles (GAAP) adherence.
Manage logistics to increase shipping efficiency and reduce transportation costs.
Manage business unit income statements, product-line contribution margin reporting and absorption analysis.
Coordinate and manage annual physical inventory as well as inventory valuation in accordance with Canadian GAAP.

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.

Control operator vs machine set up operator skills

Common control operator skills

Customer Service, 11%
Safety Procedures, 7%
Payroll, 6%
Financial Reports, 4%
CPA, 4%
Logistics, 4%

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
Control Operator
Control Operator vs Machine Set Up Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

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