Header set-up operator vs machine set up operator

The differences between header set-up operators and machine set up operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a machine set up operator has an average salary of $35,823, which is higher than the $35,764 average annual salary of a header set-up operator.

The top three skills for a header set-up operator include calipers, SPC and comparators. The most important skills for a machine set up operator are cnc machines, calipers, and micrometers.

Header set-up operator vs machine set up operator overview

	Header Set-Up Operator	Machine Set Up Operator
Yearly salary	$35,764	$35,823
Hourly rate	$17.19	$17.22
Growth rate	-5%	-8%
Number of jobs	27,599	61,986
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 36%	High School Diploma, 49%
Average age	43	43
Years of experience	-	2

Header set-up operator vs machine set up operator salary

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

	Header Set-Up Operator	Machine Set Up Operator
Average salary	$35,764	$35,823
Salary range	Between $28,000 And $45,000	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 header set-up operator and machine set up operator education

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

	Header Set-Up Operator	Machine Set Up Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 36%	High School Diploma, 49%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Header set-up operator vs machine set up operator demographics

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

	Header Set-Up Operator	Machine Set Up Operator
Average age	43	43
Gender ratio	Male, 88.5% Female, 11.5%	Male, 86.5% Female, 13.5%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 9.7% Unknown, 2.8% Hispanic or Latino, 12.1% Asian, 2.3% White, 72.3% 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 header set-up operator and machine set up operator duties and responsibilities

Header set-up operator example responsibilities.

Experience with SPC; measuring every dimension in print.
Work with internal, external, and bore grinders.
Enter quality check results into the computer matching them up to SPC charts.
Perform quality control inspection using calipers/gauges/micrometers and digital comparators.
Experience with AutoCAD, NVivo research software, RSLogix5000 for PLC programming.

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.

Header set-up operator vs machine set up operator skills

Common header set-up operator skills

Calipers, 80%
SPC, 7%
Comparators, 4%
Quality Checks, 3%
Formax, 2%
Blueprint Specs, 2%

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
Header Set-Up Operator
Header Set-Up Operator vs Machine Set Up Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

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