Machine tool operator vs laser operator

The differences between machine tool operators and laser 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 machine tool operator and a laser operator. Additionally, a machine tool operator has an average salary of $36,999, which is higher than the $34,813 average annual salary of a laser operator.

The top three skills for a machine tool operator include hand tools, cnc machines and machine tools. The most important skills for a laser operator are laser cutting, calipers, and laser machine.

Machine tool operator vs laser operator overview

	Machine Tool Operator	Laser Operator
Yearly salary	$36,999	$34,813
Hourly rate	$17.79	$16.74
Growth rate	-8%	-8%
Number of jobs	66,471	56,479
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Associate Degree, 35%	High School Diploma, 42%
Average age	43	43
Years of experience	2	2

Machine tool operator vs laser operator salary

Machine tool operators and laser operators have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Machine Tool Operator	Laser Operator
Average salary	$36,999	$34,813
Salary range	Between $10,000 And $128,000	Between $27,000 And $44,000
Highest paying City	Garfield, NJ	Oregon City, OR
Highest paying state	California	Oregon
Best paying company	NOV	Kloeckner Metals
Best paying industry	-	Technology

Differences between machine tool operator and laser operator education

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

	Machine Tool Operator	Laser Operator
Most common degree	Associate Degree, 35%	High School Diploma, 42%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Machine tool operator vs laser operator demographics

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

	Machine Tool Operator	Laser Operator
Average age	43	43
Gender ratio	Male, 89.8% Female, 10.2%	Male, 82.1% Female, 17.9%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 4.9% Unknown, 5.4% Hispanic or Latino, 14.7% Asian, 6.0% White, 68.1% 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 machine tool operator and laser operator duties and responsibilities

Machine tool operator example responsibilities.

Operate Fanuc controls for Mori-Seki and Okuma CNC lathes.
Perform duties in compliance with ISO, QS-9000 and TQM principles and standards.
Adhere to GMP and HACCP plans within regulations.
Execute rig up and the maintenance of wellhead isolation tools as well as high-pressure well controls.
Set up and operate: lathes, mills, grinders, screw machines and electrical disintegration machines.
Perform various validation techniques using measuring instruments such as micrometers and calipers.

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 tool operator vs laser operator skills

Common machine tool operator skills

Hand Tools, 16%
CNC Machines, 10%
Machine Tools, 10%
Grinders, 9%
Drill Presses, 8%
Rig, 7%

Common laser operator skills

Laser Cutting, 13%
Calipers, 8%
Laser Machine, 7%
Math, 6%
Hand Tools, 5%
CNC Laser, 4%