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Lathe operator vs general machine operator

The differences between lathe operators and general machine operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a lathe operator has an average salary of $36,280, which is higher than the $32,414 average annual salary of a general machine operator.

The top three skills for a lathe operator include cnc lathes, micrometers and manual lathes. The most important skills for a general machine operator are math, CNC, and safety procedures.

Lathe operator vs general machine operator overview

Lathe OperatorGeneral Machine Operator
Yearly salary$36,280$32,414
Hourly rate$17.44$15.58
Growth rate-5%7%
Number of jobs45,596138,111
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 51%High School Diploma, 50%
Average age4644
Years of experience--

Lathe operator vs general machine operator salary

Lathe operators and general machine operators have different pay scales, as shown below.

Lathe OperatorGeneral Machine Operator
Average salary$36,280$32,414
Salary rangeBetween $27,000 And $47,000Between $26,000 And $39,000
Highest paying CityYoungstown, OHOshkosh, WI
Highest paying stateOhioWisconsin
Best paying companyValmont IndustriesReckitt Benckiser
Best paying industryTechnologyFinance

Differences between lathe operator and general machine operator education

There are a few differences between a lathe operator and a general machine operator in terms of educational background:

Lathe OperatorGeneral Machine Operator
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 51%High School Diploma, 50%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Lathe operator vs general machine operator demographics

Here are the differences between lathe operators' and general machine operators' demographics:

Lathe OperatorGeneral Machine Operator
Average age4644
Gender ratioMale, 88.9% Female, 11.1%Male, 81.2% Female, 18.8%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 3.7% Unknown, 1.9% Hispanic or Latino, 11.8% Asian, 3.7% White, 77.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2%Black or African American, 11.9% Unknown, 3.4% Hispanic or Latino, 15.2% Asian, 7.3% White, 61.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2%
LGBT Percentage6%5%

Differences between lathe operator and general machine operator duties and responsibilities

Lathe operator example responsibilities.

  • Operate and programme Mazak lathes.
  • Operate dual side Okuma lathe.
  • Perform SPC inpections reports for cus to meet monitoring.
  • Fabricate metal parts using punch press, CNC brake press.
  • Check parts using CMM, micrometers and other appropriate gauges.
  • Grind and send dog food into the extrusion for cooking.
  • Show more

General machine operator example responsibilities.

  • Lift work pieces to machines using hoists.
  • Control & troubleshoot automate extrusion line adjusting speed & feed, monitoring temperature, & finish material specification per customers order.
  • Overlook daily operations of single/twin screw extruders and packaging of finish product.

Lathe operator vs general machine operator skills

Common lathe operator skills
  • CNC Lathes, 11%
  • Micrometers, 11%
  • Manual Lathes, 10%
  • Hand Tools, 9%
  • Calipers, 8%
  • Math, 6%
Common general machine operator skills
  • Math, 12%
  • CNC, 10%
  • Safety Procedures, 10%
  • Troubleshoot, 9%
  • Production Process, 8%
  • Machine Operation, 6%

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