Control operator vs set-up operator

The differences between control operators and 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 set-up operator. Additionally, a control operator has an average salary of $42,885, which is higher than the $39,269 average annual salary of a set-up operator.

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

Control operator vs set-up operator overview

	Control Operator	Set-Up Operator
Yearly salary	$42,885	$39,269
Hourly rate	$20.62	$18.88
Growth rate	-8%	-8%
Number of jobs	64,435	55,670
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 58%	High School Diploma, 44%
Average age	43	43
Years of experience	2	2

What does a control operator do?

The duties of a control operator depend on their line of work or industry of employment. Typically, it includes adhering to a set of protocols, controlling machines and equipment, identifying the needs of daily operations, and performing regular maintenance checks, conducting repairs when necessary. There are also instances where they must produce progress reports, address and resolve issues, and implement solutions. Furthermore, as a control operator, it is essential to maintain an active communication line with fellow employees, coordinating every step of the way for a safe and efficient workflow.

What does a set-up operator do?

A machine set-up operator operates machinery such as grinders, bores, and mills. They prepare machines to be used by organizing tools, setting valve directions, sharpening tools as needed, positioning tools, and conducting regular maintenance.

Control operator vs set-up operator salary

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

	Control Operator	Set-Up Operator
Average salary	$42,885	$39,269
Salary range	Between $33,000 And $55,000	Between $28,000 And $53,000
Highest paying City	Hoffman Estates, IL	Rochester, NY
Highest paying state	Illinois	New York
Best paying company	Battelle	Schneider Electric Industrial Services
Best paying industry	Energy	Automotive

Differences between control operator and set-up operator education

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

	Control Operator	Set-Up Operator
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 58%	High School Diploma, 44%
Most common major	Accounting	Business
Most common college	University of Pennsylvania	-

Control operator vs set-up operator demographics

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

	Control Operator	Set-Up Operator
Average age	43	43
Gender ratio	Male, 76.8% Female, 23.2%	Male, 85.6% Female, 14.4%
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, 4.9% Unknown, 5.4% Hispanic or Latino, 14.8% Asian, 6.0% White, 68.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%
LGBT Percentage	6%	6%

Differences between control operator and 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.

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Set-up operator example responsibilities.

Manage daily scheduling of production workload to be setup and run on machinery.
Use and replacement of drills, taps, broaches, and reamers.
Manufacture parts according to blueprints, work with stainless steel aluminum, brass and plastics.
Machine parts to specifications, using machine tools, such as lathes, milling machines, or grinders.
Use of exact measuring instruments as CMM, optical comparators, mics, bore gauges and many other tools.
Produce parts from different materials such as cold roll steel, stainless steel, no lead brass and regular brass.

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Control operator vs set-up operator skills

Common control operator skills

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

Common set-up operator skills

Calipers, 9%
CNC Machines, 7%
Hand Tools, 7%
Math, 6%
Quality Checks, 6%
Preventative Maintenance, 6%

Control Operator vs. similar jobs

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Updated January 8, 2025

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