Lathe set up operator vs numerical control operator

The differences between lathe set up operators and numerical control 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 lathe set up operator and a numerical control operator. Additionally, a lathe set up operator has an average salary of $40,481, which is higher than the $38,280 average annual salary of a numerical control operator.

The top three skills for a lathe set up operator include calipers, FANUC and lathe machines. The most important skills for a numerical control operator are calipers, micrometers, and math.

Lathe set up operator vs numerical control operator overview

	Lathe Set Up Operator	Numerical Control Operator
Yearly salary	$40,481	$38,280
Hourly rate	$19.46	$18.40
Growth rate	-8%	-8%
Number of jobs	30,437	85,068
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 45%	High School Diploma, 43%
Average age	43	43
Years of experience	2	2

Lathe set up operator vs numerical control operator salary

Lathe set up operators and numerical control operators have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Lathe Set Up Operator	Numerical Control Operator
Average salary	$40,481	$38,280
Salary range	Between $29,000 And $55,000	Between $29,000 And $50,000
Highest paying City	-	Tualatin, OR
Highest paying state	-	West Virginia
Best paying company	-	BWX Technologies
Best paying industry	-	Automotive

Differences between lathe set up operator and numerical control operator education

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

	Lathe Set Up Operator	Numerical Control Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 45%	High School Diploma, 43%
Most common major	Computer Science	Business
Most common college	Massachusetts Institute of Technology	-

Lathe set up operator vs numerical control operator demographics

Here are the differences between lathe set up operators' and numerical control operators' demographics:

	Lathe Set Up Operator	Numerical Control Operator
Average age	43	43
Gender ratio	Male, 94.6% Female, 5.4%	Male, 89.0% Female, 11.0%
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, 4.8% Unknown, 5.4% Hispanic or Latino, 14.7% Asian, 6.0% White, 68.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%
LGBT Percentage	6%	6%

Differences between lathe set up operator and numerical control 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.

Numerical control operator example responsibilities.

Perform trial runs on new CNC programs, working with programming and tooling to achieve satisfactory parts.
Set up and run vertical milling machines and Mori-Seiki lathes
Calculate dimensions and tolerances using knowledge of mathematics and instruments such as micrometers and calipers
Set up and operate machine turning tools (lathes, MAZAK).
Used manual and CNC mills (HAAS), lathes (HAAS) and (OKUMA) and surface grinders.
Mill and lathe g-code programming.

Lathe set up operator vs numerical control operator skills

Common lathe set up operator skills

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

Common numerical control operator skills

Calipers, 12%
Micrometers, 9%
Math, 6%
Lathe Machines, 6%
Hand Tools, 6%
Safety Standards, 4%

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Lathe Set Up Operator
Lathe Set Up Operator vs Numerical Control Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

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