Polishing machine operator vs turret lathe operator

The differences between polishing machine operators and turret lathe 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 polishing machine operator and a turret lathe operator. Additionally, a turret lathe operator has an average salary of $38,904, which is higher than the $33,810 average annual salary of a polishing machine operator.

The top three skills for a polishing machine operator include safety policies, grinding wheels and machine operation. The most important skills for a turret lathe operator are pallets, hand tools, and calipers.

Polishing machine operator vs turret lathe operator overview

	Polishing Machine Operator	Turret Lathe Operator
Yearly salary	$33,810	$38,904
Hourly rate	$16.25	$18.70
Growth rate	-8%	-8%
Number of jobs	58,159	44,277
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 51%	High School Diploma, 50%
Average age	43	43
Years of experience	2	2

Polishing machine operator vs turret lathe operator salary

Polishing machine operators and turret lathe operators have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Polishing Machine Operator	Turret Lathe Operator
Average salary	$33,810	$38,904
Salary range	Between $25,000 And $43,000	Between $31,000 And $47,000
Highest paying City	-	-
Highest paying state	-	-
Best paying company	-	-
Best paying industry	-	-

Differences between polishing machine operator and turret lathe operator education

There are a few differences between a polishing machine operator and a turret lathe operator in terms of educational background:

	Polishing Machine Operator	Turret Lathe Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 51%	High School Diploma, 50%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Polishing machine operator vs turret lathe operator demographics

Here are the differences between polishing machine operators' and turret lathe operators' demographics:

	Polishing Machine Operator	Turret Lathe Operator
Average age	43	43
Gender ratio	Male, 88.9% Female, 11.1%	Male, 89.2% Female, 10.8%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 4.9% Unknown, 5.4% Hispanic or Latino, 14.8% Asian, 6.0% White, 68.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%	Black or African American, 4.8% Unknown, 5.4% Hispanic or Latino, 14.5% Asian, 5.4% White, 69.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%
LGBT Percentage	6%	6%

Differences between polishing machine operator and turret lathe operator duties and responsibilities

Polishing machine operator example responsibilities.

Record statistics on ISO documentation, and coordinate with machine technicians and electrical technicians to keep machines operating at maximum efficiency.
Participate in technical support and assist validation and QA department during equipment validation.

Turret lathe operator example responsibilities.

Use automate systems and RF units to pull, put away and load customer product, in addition to managing inventory
Maintain SPC and record data to assure the part is within control limits; maintain accurate downtime and production records.
Use of CMM equipment to measure parts with a high degree of accuracy and make offsets to cutting machinery if necessary.
Involve in maintaining continuous improvement in documentation and procedures for ISO certification.
Fulfill production responsibilities to customer while maintaining superior quality using physical gauges and CMM machines.
Create procedures for inspection and documentation of ISO compliant, manufacture components for a laser surgery workstation.

Polishing machine operator vs turret lathe operator skills

Common polishing machine operator skills

Safety Policies, 41%
Grinding Wheels, 18%
Machine Operation, 16%
Safety Standards, 11%
Stainless Steel, 6%
Load Trucks, 3%

Common turret lathe operator skills

Pallets, 38%
Hand Tools, 15%
Calipers, 15%
Inventory Control, 7%
Load Trucks, 5%
Punch Press, 4%

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Production and Manufacturing Industry
Polishing Machine Operator
Polishing Machine Operator vs Turret Lathe Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

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