Machine tool operator vs lathe set up operator

The differences between machine tool operators and lathe 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 machine tool operator and a lathe set up operator. Additionally, a lathe set up operator has an average salary of $40,481, which is higher than the $36,999 average annual salary of a machine tool operator.

The top three skills for a machine tool operator include hand tools, cnc machines and machine tools. The most important skills for a lathe set up operator are calipers, FANUC, and lathe machines.

Machine tool operator vs lathe set up operator overview

	Machine Tool Operator	Lathe Set Up Operator
Yearly salary	$36,999	$40,481
Hourly rate	$17.79	$19.46
Growth rate	-8%	-8%
Number of jobs	66,471	30,437
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Associate Degree, 35%	High School Diploma, 45%
Average age	43	43
Years of experience	2	2

Machine tool operator vs lathe set up operator salary

Machine tool operators and lathe set up operators have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Machine Tool Operator	Lathe Set Up Operator
Average salary	$36,999	$40,481
Salary range	Between $10,000 And $128,000	Between $29,000 And $55,000
Highest paying City	Garfield, NJ	-
Highest paying state	California	-
Best paying company	NOV	-
Best paying industry	-	-

Differences between machine tool operator and lathe set up operator education

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

	Machine Tool Operator	Lathe Set Up Operator
Most common degree	Associate Degree, 35%	High School Diploma, 45%
Most common major	Business	Computer Science
Most common college	-	Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Machine tool operator vs lathe set up operator demographics

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

	Machine Tool Operator	Lathe Set Up Operator
Average age	43	43
Gender ratio	Male, 89.8% Female, 10.2%	Male, 94.6% Female, 5.4%
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, 14.4% Asian, 5.9% White, 68.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%
LGBT Percentage	6%	6%

Differences between machine tool operator and lathe set up 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.

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.

Machine tool operator vs lathe set up operator skills

Common machine tool operator skills

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

Common lathe set up operator skills

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

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Machine Tool Operator
Machine Tool Operator vs Lathe Set Up Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

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