Machinist vs machine set up operator

The differences between machinists and machine set up operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a machinist, becoming a machine set up operator takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a machinist has an average salary of $42,147, which is higher than the $35,823 average annual salary of a machine set up operator.

The top three skills for a machinist include grinders, cnc machines and micrometers. The most important skills for a machine set up operator are cnc machines, calipers, and micrometers.

Machinist vs machine set up operator overview

	Machinist	Machine Set Up Operator
Yearly salary	$42,147	$35,823
Hourly rate	$20.26	$17.22
Growth rate	1%	-8%
Number of jobs	15,448	61,986
Job satisfaction	5	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 40%	High School Diploma, 49%
Average age	48	43
Years of experience	4	2

Machinist vs machine set up operator salary

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

	Machinist	Machine Set Up Operator
Average salary	$42,147	$35,823
Salary range	Between $29,000 And $59,000	Between $28,000 And $45,000
Highest paying City	Eugene, OR	Holyoke, MA
Highest paying state	Massachusetts	California
Best paying company	Westinghouse Appliances Australia	ABB
Best paying industry	Automotive	Automotive

Differences between machinist and machine set up operator education

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

	Machinist	Machine Set Up Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 40%	High School Diploma, 49%
Most common major	Precision Metal Working	Business
Most common college	-	-

Machinist vs machine set up operator demographics

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

	Machinist	Machine Set Up Operator
Average age	48	43
Gender ratio	Male, 92.6% Female, 7.4%	Male, 86.5% Female, 13.5%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 4.4% Unknown, 3.7% Hispanic or Latino, 13.9% Asian, 6.7% White, 70.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%	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	3%	6%

Differences between machinist and machine set up operator duties and responsibilities

Machinist example responsibilities.

Manage output according to company quality standards and corresponding ISO certification.
Measure parts using micrometers, calipers, bore gauges, depth gauges, height gauges and CMM programs.
Utilize CNC lathes, mills, grinders, EDM s and other equipment to manufacture implants and/or instruments.
Operate manual machines such as engine lathe, boring mill, vertical and horizontal milling machines, grinders and honing machines.
Emphasize the ability to use dial calipers and micrometers to provide consistent repeatable measurements.
Operate manual/CNC lathes and used industry standard measuring equipment including manual/digital calipers, manual/digital micrometers and optical comparators

Machine set up operator example responsibilities.

Perform trial runs on new CNC programs, working with programming and tooling to achieve satisfactory parts.
Used micrometers and calipers to determine require tolerances.
Follow ISO and QS standard operating procedures.
Panel control, fanuc control, & dynapath.
Run machines after setup, inspect parts run.
Work on CNC OKUMA machines, horizontals and verticals.

Machinist vs machine set up operator skills

Common machinist skills

Grinders, 9%
CNC Machines, 9%
Micrometers, 8%
Calipers, 8%
Machine Shop, 6%
CNC Lathes, 6%

Common machine set up operator skills

CNC Machines, 13%
Calipers, 10%
Micrometers, 9%
CNC Lathes, 6%
Quality Checks, 5%
Math, 5%