Lathe set up operator vs blasting machine operator

The differences between lathe set up operators and blasting machine operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become a lathe set up operator, becoming a blasting machine operator takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a lathe set up operator has an average salary of $40,481, which is higher than the $31,116 average annual salary of a blasting machine operator.

The top three skills for a lathe set up operator include calipers, FANUC and lathe machines. The most important skills for a blasting machine operator are basic math, hand tools, and blast machine.

Lathe set up operator vs blasting machine operator overview

	Lathe Set Up Operator	Blasting Machine Operator
Yearly salary	$40,481	$31,116
Hourly rate	$19.46	$14.96
Growth rate	-8%	4%
Number of jobs	30,437	57,806
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 45%	High School Diploma, 63%
Average age	43	43
Years of experience	2	4

Lathe set up operator vs blasting machine operator salary

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

	Lathe Set Up Operator	Blasting Machine Operator
Average salary	$40,481	$31,116
Salary range	Between $29,000 And $55,000	Between $21,000 And $46,000
Highest paying City	-	-
Highest paying state	-	-
Best paying company	-	-
Best paying industry	-	-

Differences between lathe set up operator and blasting machine operator education

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

	Lathe Set Up Operator	Blasting Machine Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 45%	High School Diploma, 63%
Most common major	Computer Science	Business
Most common college	Massachusetts Institute of Technology	-

Lathe set up operator vs blasting machine operator demographics

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

	Lathe Set Up Operator	Blasting Machine Operator
Average age	43	43
Gender ratio	Male, 94.6% Female, 5.4%	Male, 92.0% Female, 8.0%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 4.8% Unknown, 5.4% Hispanic or Latino, 14.4% Asian, 5.9% White, 68.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%	Black or African American, 9.2% Unknown, 3.7% Hispanic or Latino, 16.0% Asian, 2.5% White, 67.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.3%
LGBT Percentage	6%	2%

Differences between lathe set up operator and blasting machine operator duties and responsibilities

Lathe set up operator example responsibilities.

Set up and run CNC lathes with Fanuc controls.
Set up and edit program as needed for Okuma LB35, Mazak lathe machine.
Experience running Haas mills, lathes, and Leadwell CNC lathes.
Experience running Mazak CNC lathe and mills.
Learned and familiarize myself with Mazak machines.
Operate various types of Mori Seiko lathes, and a few Haas verticle mills.

Blasting machine operator example responsibilities.

Assure that the proper abrasive metal, grit, metal shoot, seed, glass bead etc.
Utilize up to three 30 ton roof cranes simultaneously to safely maneuver girders weighing up to 82 tons.
Record statistics on ISO documentation, and coordinate with machine technicians and electrical technicians to keep machines operating at maximum efficiency.
Operate industrial paint vats, cross train on overhead cab crane and heat treat.
Operate CNC horizontal milling machines and CNC wire and sinker EDM machines.
Assemble bolt and wire harnesses, forklift, tool crib, and EDM machine operator.

Lathe set up operator vs blasting machine operator skills

Common lathe set up operator skills

Calipers, 12%
FANUC, 11%
Lathe Machines, 10%
Okuma, 7%
Aerospace, 7%
G Code, 5%

Common blasting machine operator skills

Basic Math, 76%
Hand Tools, 5%
Blast Machine, 5%
Cranes, 5%
Grit, 4%
CNC, 2%

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Lathe Set Up Operator
Lathe Set Up Operator vs Blasting Machine Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

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