Laser engraver vs computer numerical controller machine setter

The differences between laser engravers and computer numerical controller machine setters can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a computer numerical controller machine setter has an average salary of $42,206, which is higher than the $36,398 average annual salary of a laser engraver.

The top three skills for a laser engraver include engraving, corel draw and laser engravers. The most important skills for a computer numerical controller machine setter are g code, cnc mill, and quality checks.

Laser engraver vs computer numerical controller machine setter overview

	Laser Engraver	Computer Numerical Controller Machine Setter
Yearly salary	$36,398	$42,206
Hourly rate	$17.50	$20.29
Growth rate	-8%	-5%
Number of jobs	506	61,837
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 39%	High School Diploma, 41%
Average age	44	45
Years of experience	2	-

Laser engraver vs computer numerical controller machine setter salary

Laser engravers and computer numerical controller machine setters have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Laser Engraver	Computer Numerical Controller Machine Setter
Average salary	$36,398	$42,206
Salary range	Between $28,000 And $46,000	Between $32,000 And $55,000
Highest paying City	-	-
Highest paying state	-	-
Best paying company	-	-
Best paying industry	-	-

Differences between laser engraver and computer numerical controller machine setter education

There are a few differences between a laser engraver and a computer numerical controller machine setter in terms of educational background:

	Laser Engraver	Computer Numerical Controller Machine Setter
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 39%	High School Diploma, 41%
Most common major	Graphic Design	Computer Science
Most common college	-	-

Laser engraver vs computer numerical controller machine setter demographics

Here are the differences between laser engravers' and computer numerical controller machine setters' demographics:

	Laser Engraver	Computer Numerical Controller Machine Setter
Average age	44	45
Gender ratio	Male, 65.9% Female, 34.1%	Male, 92.7% Female, 7.3%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 5.0% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 8.4% Asian, 6.2% White, 75.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0%	Black or African American, 10.3% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 17.6% Asian, 10.9% White, 56.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage	20%	3%

Differences between laser engraver and computer numerical controller machine setter duties and responsibilities

Laser engraver example responsibilities.

Develop graphic templates necessary for laser engraving customer items.
Design and implement engraving work including aircraft parts and other industrial applications.
Prepare etching chemicals according to formulas, diluting acid with water to obtain solutions of specify concentration.
Prepare etching chemicals according to formulas, diluting acid with water to obtain solutions of specify concentration.

Computer numerical controller machine setter example responsibilities.

Perform trial runs on new CNC programs, working with programming and tooling to achieve satisfactory parts.
Inspect parts coming off CNC machines for part conformity using drawings, micrometers, gauges and airflow tester set-up.
Used micrometers and measuring tools to inspect parts.
Measure parts with calipers and micrometer to make sure parts up to specs.
Improve record keeping of SPC, damage, quality, and inventory records.
Start learning how to program on Mazak and would like to learn more about programming.

Laser engraver vs computer numerical controller machine setter skills

Common laser engraver skills

Engraving, 34%
Corel Draw, 20%
Laser Engravers, 12%
Etching, 9%
Graphic Design, 7%
Quality Standards, 5%

Common computer numerical controller machine setter skills

G Code, 11%
CNC Mill, 11%
Quality Checks, 10%
Calipers, 7%
Micrometers, 7%
Machine Shop, 7%

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Production and Manufacturing Industry
Laser Engraver
Laser Engraver vs Computer Numerical Controller Machine Setter

Updated January 8, 2025

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