Set-up operator vs laser operator

The differences between set-up operators and laser 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 set-up operator and a laser operator. Additionally, a set-up operator has an average salary of $39,269, which is higher than the $34,813 average annual salary of a laser operator.

The top three skills for a set-up operator include calipers, cnc machines and hand tools. The most important skills for a laser operator are laser cutting, calipers, and laser machine.

Set-up operator vs laser operator overview

	Set-Up Operator	Laser Operator
Yearly salary	$39,269	$34,813
Hourly rate	$18.88	$16.74
Growth rate	-8%	-8%
Number of jobs	55,670	56,479
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 44%	High School Diploma, 42%
Average age	43	43
Years of experience	2	2

What does a set-up operator do?

A machine set-up operator operates machinery such as grinders, bores, and mills. They prepare machines to be used by organizing tools, setting valve directions, sharpening tools as needed, positioning tools, and conducting regular maintenance.

What does a laser operator do?

A Laser Operator is responsible for operating the machine and devices used for laser purposes. They do the engraving and cutting of the metal or plastic parts of the laser device. They set up and adjust the machine lens to meet the correct specification. They also ensure that there will be no issues before and after operating the laser device by routinely checking the equipment. They also need to monitor and do an inventory of instruments and tools required if there are operations or whenever they are required.

Set-up operator vs laser operator salary

Set-up operators and laser operators have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Set-Up Operator	Laser Operator
Average salary	$39,269	$34,813
Salary range	Between $28,000 And $53,000	Between $27,000 And $44,000
Highest paying City	Rochester, NY	Oregon City, OR
Highest paying state	New York	Oregon
Best paying company	Schneider Electric Industrial Services	Kloeckner Metals
Best paying industry	Automotive	Technology

Differences between set-up operator and laser operator education

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

	Set-Up Operator	Laser Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 44%	High School Diploma, 42%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Set-up operator vs laser operator demographics

Here are the differences between set-up operators' and laser operators' demographics:

	Set-Up Operator	Laser Operator
Average age	43	43
Gender ratio	Male, 85.6% Female, 14.4%	Male, 82.1% Female, 17.9%
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, 14.6% Asian, 6.0% White, 68.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%
LGBT Percentage	6%	6%

Differences between set-up operator and laser operator duties and responsibilities

Set-up operator example responsibilities.

Manage daily scheduling of production workload to be setup and run on machinery.
Use and replacement of drills, taps, broaches, and reamers.
Manufacture parts according to blueprints, work with stainless steel aluminum, brass and plastics.
Machine parts to specifications, using machine tools, such as lathes, milling machines, or grinders.
Use of exact measuring instruments as CMM, optical comparators, mics, bore gauges and many other tools.
Produce parts from different materials such as cold roll steel, stainless steel, no lead brass and regular brass.

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Laser operator example responsibilities.

Calculate requirements, using basic math, geometry.
Follow and comply to GMP, FDA, and ISO regulations
Uphold all ISO and OSHA standards applicable to the responsibilities list above.
Complete SPC charts to track tool capability and hold tight tolerances on small parts.
Used micrometers and protractors to check dimension and angle of part during all job set ups and quality control checks.
Perform quality control inspection using calipers/gauges/micrometers and digital comparators.

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Set-up operator vs laser operator skills

Common set-up operator skills

Calipers, 9%
CNC Machines, 7%
Hand Tools, 7%
Math, 6%
Quality Checks, 6%
Preventative Maintenance, 6%

Common laser operator skills

Laser Cutting, 13%
Calipers, 8%
Laser Machine, 7%
Math, 6%
Hand Tools, 5%
CNC Laser, 4%

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Updated January 8, 2025

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