Laser operator vs machine set up operator

The differences between laser 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 laser operator and a machine set up operator. Additionally, a machine set up operator has an average salary of $35,823, which is higher than the $34,813 average annual salary of a laser operator.

The top three skills for a laser operator include laser cutting, calipers and laser machine. The most important skills for a machine set up operator are cnc machines, calipers, and micrometers.

Laser operator vs machine set up operator overview

	Laser Operator	Machine Set Up Operator
Yearly salary	$34,813	$35,823
Hourly rate	$16.74	$17.22
Growth rate	-8%	-8%
Number of jobs	56,479	61,986
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 42%	High School Diploma, 49%
Average age	43	43
Years of experience	2	2

Laser operator vs machine set up operator salary

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

	Laser Operator	Machine Set Up Operator
Average salary	$34,813	$35,823
Salary range	Between $27,000 And $44,000	Between $28,000 And $45,000
Highest paying City	Oregon City, OR	Holyoke, MA
Highest paying state	Oregon	California
Best paying company	Kloeckner Metals	ABB
Best paying industry	Technology	Automotive

Differences between laser operator and machine set up operator education

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

	Laser Operator	Machine Set Up Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 42%	High School Diploma, 49%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Laser operator vs machine set up operator demographics

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

	Laser Operator	Machine Set Up Operator
Average age	43	43
Gender ratio	Male, 82.1% Female, 17.9%	Male, 86.5% Female, 13.5%
Race ratio	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%	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 laser operator and machine set up operator duties and responsibilities

Laser operator example responsibilities.

Calculate requirements, using basic math, geometry.
Follow and comply to GMP, FDA, and ISO regulations
Uphold all ISO and OSHA standards applicable to the responsibilities list above.
Complete SPC charts to track tool capability and hold tight tolerances on small parts.
Used micrometers and protractors to check dimension and angle of part during all job set ups and quality control checks.
Perform quality control inspection using calipers/gauges/micrometers and digital comparators.

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.

Laser operator vs machine set up operator skills

Common laser operator skills

Laser Cutting, 13%
Calipers, 8%
Laser Machine, 7%
Math, 6%
Hand Tools, 5%
CNC Laser, 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
Laser Operator
Laser Operator vs Machine Set Up Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

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