Set-up operator vs line operator

The differences between set-up operators and line operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a set-up operator has an average salary of $39,269, which is higher than the $34,520 average annual salary of a line operator.

The top three skills for a set-up operator include calipers, cnc machines and hand tools. The most important skills for a line operator are preventative maintenance, PPE, and basic math.

Set-up operator vs line operator overview

	Set-Up Operator	Line Operator
Yearly salary	$39,269	$34,520
Hourly rate	$18.88	$16.60
Growth rate	-8%	7%
Number of jobs	55,670	137,127
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 44%	High School Diploma, 49%
Average age	43	44
Years of experience	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 line operator do?

A line operator is responsible for assisting in warehouse and factory operations, usually assigned on doing heavy works for the production. Line operators' duties include operating manufacturing machines and equipment, placing products on the appropriate shelves, checking supplies and inventories, loading orders for shipments, inspecting products for any defects, labeling products accurately, adhering to the safety procedures to prevent product contamination, and observing sanitary regulations. A line operator must have comprehensive knowledge of the mechanical industry, as well as the ability to multi-task, especially on meeting deadlines and processing customers' orders.

Set-up operator vs line operator salary

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

	Set-Up Operator	Line Operator
Average salary	$39,269	$34,520
Salary range	Between $28,000 And $53,000	Between $27,000 And $43,000
Highest paying City	Rochester, NY	Grand Forks, ND
Highest paying state	New York	North Dakota
Best paying company	Schneider Electric Industrial Services	BD
Best paying industry	Automotive	Manufacturing

Differences between set-up operator and line operator education

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

	Set-Up Operator	Line Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 44%	High School Diploma, 49%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Set-up operator vs line operator demographics

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

	Set-Up Operator	Line Operator
Average age	43	44
Gender ratio	Male, 85.6% Female, 14.4%	Male, 67.6% Female, 32.4%
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, 11.9% Unknown, 3.4% Hispanic or Latino, 15.4% Asian, 7.0% White, 61.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2%
LGBT Percentage	6%	5%

Differences between set-up operator and line 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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Line operator example responsibilities.

Follow safety procedures, including but not limit to, wearing proper PPE, lock-out/tag-out, and HAZMAT.
Weld various models of Honda car seats.
Operate foam line for assembly of Toyota Tacoma car seats.
Work the assembly line building car door frames for Chrysler.
Work in high volume production setting, sewing seat covers for Toyota vehicles.
Wear all PPE while manually draining and cleaning of all dip tanks and stations after shift or when production quality lessen.

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Set-up operator vs line operator skills

Common set-up operator skills

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

Common line operator skills

Preventative Maintenance, 12%
PPE, 9%
Basic Math, 9%
Extrusion, 8%
Quality Checks, 7%
Assembly Line, 5%

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Updated January 8, 2025

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