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Turning machine operator vs optical lathe operator

The differences between turning machine operators and optical lathe operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, an optical lathe operator has an average salary of $40,290, which is higher than the $37,298 average annual salary of a turning machine operator.

The top three skills for a turning machine operator include CNC, calipers and dial indicators. The most important skills for an optical lathe operator are etching, , and .

Turning machine operator vs optical lathe operator overview

Turning Machine OperatorOptical Lathe Operator
Yearly salary$37,298$40,290
Hourly rate$17.93$19.37
Growth rate-5%-5%
Number of jobs53,68827,565
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 61%Bachelor's Degree, 38%
Average age4646
Years of experience--

Turning machine operator vs optical lathe operator salary

Turning machine operators and optical lathe operators have different pay scales, as shown below.

Turning Machine OperatorOptical Lathe Operator
Average salary$37,298$40,290
Salary rangeBetween $27,000 And $50,000Between $32,000 And $49,000
Highest paying City--
Highest paying state--
Best paying company--
Best paying industry--

Differences between turning machine operator and optical lathe operator education

There are a few differences between a turning machine operator and an optical lathe operator in terms of educational background:

Turning Machine OperatorOptical Lathe Operator
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 61%Bachelor's Degree, 38%
Most common majorElectrical EngineeringBusiness
Most common college--

Turning machine operator vs optical lathe operator demographics

Here are the differences between turning machine operators' and optical lathe operators' demographics:

Turning Machine OperatorOptical Lathe Operator
Average age4646
Gender ratioMale, 80.4% Female, 19.6%Male, 60.9% Female, 39.1%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 3.7% Unknown, 1.9% Hispanic or Latino, 11.8% Asian, 3.7% White, 77.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2%Black or African American, 3.7% Unknown, 1.9% Hispanic or Latino, 11.8% Asian, 3.7% White, 77.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2%
LGBT Percentage6%6%

Differences between turning machine operator and optical lathe operator duties and responsibilities

Turning machine operator example responsibilities.

  • Work with injection molding manufacturing hospital product parts -operate machines in departments of extrusion and injection molding -Experience with digital calipers.
  • Participate in technical support and assist validation and QA department during equipment validation.

Optical lathe operator example responsibilities.

  • Utilize CMS to track agents on calls.
  • Operate machines including lathes, cutters, shears, borers, millers, grinders, drills, jigs, heating machines.
  • Review the retention guidelines for compliance with destruction of archival records.
  • Operate Fanuc and Siemens preset programs to manufacture hubs, break drums, and wheels for semi tractor and trailers.

Turning machine operator vs optical lathe operator skills

Common turning machine operator skills
  • CNC, 80%
  • Calipers, 13%
  • Dial Indicators, 4%
  • Hand Tools, 1%
  • FANUC, 1%
Common optical lathe operator skills
  • Etching, 100%

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