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The differences between numerical control operators and furnace operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a numerical control operator has an average salary of $38,280, which is higher than the $35,972 average annual salary of a furnace operator.
The top three skills for a numerical control operator include calipers, micrometers and math. The most important skills for a furnace operator are math, basic math, and cranes.
| Numerical Control Operator | Furnace Operator | |
| Yearly salary | $38,280 | $35,972 |
| Hourly rate | $18.40 | $17.29 |
| Growth rate | -8% | -5% |
| Number of jobs | 85,068 | 58,975 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 43% | High School Diploma, 55% |
| Average age | 43 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 2 | - |
A numerical control operator is responsible for monitoring machinery and managing computer-generated equipment to produce tools and components from various mechanical resources. Numerical control operators must have extensive knowledge with the technology and mechanical industry to perform basic troubleshooting and detect malfunctions during operations. A numerical control operator duties' also include inspecting equipment setup and finished products, ensuring high-quality parts, reviewing blueprints, following client's specifications for making adjustments, and adhering to the safety guidelines and procedures required by the business.
A furnace operator records time and production data, adjusts thermostats, and observes a pyrometer to maintain the temperature between specified limits. The operators set furnace control to regulate the temperature and heating time. They measure the temperature of the products to determine the necessity for adjusting furnace temperature using thermal instruments and charts. Their duties include the removal of materials from the furnace using signals overhead crane operator and transfer it to the next station and open furnace doors. This process will allow them to admit slabs, sheet, plate, and coil to lower ingots and uncover soaking pits into them.
Numerical control operators and furnace operators have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Numerical Control Operator | Furnace Operator | |
| Average salary | $38,280 | $35,972 |
| Salary range | Between $29,000 And $50,000 | Between $29,000 And $44,000 |
| Highest paying City | Tualatin, OR | Rochester, NY |
| Highest paying state | West Virginia | New York |
| Best paying company | BWX Technologies | BWX Technologies |
| Best paying industry | Automotive | Technology |
There are a few differences between a numerical control operator and a furnace operator in terms of educational background:
| Numerical Control Operator | Furnace Operator | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 43% | High School Diploma, 55% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between numerical control operators' and furnace operators' demographics:
| Numerical Control Operator | Furnace Operator | |
| Average age | 43 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 89.0% Female, 11.0% | Male, 92.6% Female, 7.4% |
| Race ratio | 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% | Black or African American, 10.9% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 17.0% Asian, 3.6% White, 62.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 7% |