Machinist-set-up vs machine set up operator

The differences between machinist-set ups 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-set-up, becoming a machine set up operator takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a machinist-set-up has an average salary of $42,559, which is higher than the $35,823 average annual salary of a machine set up operator.

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

Machinist-set-up vs machine set up operator overview

	Machinist-Set-Up	Machine Set Up Operator
Yearly salary	$42,559	$35,823
Hourly rate	$20.46	$17.22
Growth rate	1%	-8%
Number of jobs	16,993	61,986
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 39%	High School Diploma, 49%
Average age	48	43
Years of experience	4	2

Machinist-set-up vs machine set up operator salary

Machinist-set ups and machine set up operators have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Machinist-Set-Up	Machine Set Up Operator
Average salary	$42,559	$35,823
Salary range	Between $31,000 And $58,000	Between $28,000 And $45,000
Highest paying City	-	Holyoke, MA
Highest paying state	-	California
Best paying company	-	ABB
Best paying industry	-	Automotive

Differences between machinist-set-up and machine set up operator education

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

	Machinist-Set-Up	Machine Set Up Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 39%	High School Diploma, 49%
Most common major	Precision Metal Working	Business
Most common college	-	-

Machinist-set-up vs machine set up operator demographics

Here are the differences between machinist-set ups' and machine set up operators' demographics:

	Machinist-Set-Up	Machine Set Up Operator
Average age	48	43
Gender ratio	Male, 94.5% Female, 5.5%	Male, 86.5% Female, 13.5%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 4.2% Unknown, 3.7% Hispanic or Latino, 13.7% Asian, 6.5% White, 71.4% 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-set-up and machine set up operator duties and responsibilities

Machinist-set-up example responsibilities.

Manage output according to company quality standards and corresponding ISO certification.
Set up and run CNC lathe with dual spindles and live tooling, run parts with Tol.
Experience setting up and running Haas mill production.
Program, setup and operation of Haas milling machines
Machine parts to quality specifications using Mazak lathes.
Turn in first articals and run job to print and customer specs.

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-set-up vs machine set up operator skills

Common machinist-set-up skills

CNC Machines, 15%
Tolerances, 9%
Calipers, 9%
Lathe Machines, 8%
Grinders, 7%
Aluminum, 5%

Common machine set up operator skills

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

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Machinist-Set-Up vs Machine Set Up Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

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