Turret lathe operator vs machine set up operator

The differences between turret lathe operators and machine set up 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 turret lathe operator and a machine set up operator. Additionally, a turret lathe operator has an average salary of $38,904, which is higher than the $35,823 average annual salary of a machine set up operator.

The top three skills for a turret lathe operator include pallets, hand tools and calipers. The most important skills for a machine set up operator are cnc machines, calipers, and micrometers.

Turret lathe operator vs machine set up operator overview

	Turret Lathe Operator	Machine Set Up Operator
Yearly salary	$38,904	$35,823
Hourly rate	$18.70	$17.22
Growth rate	-8%	-8%
Number of jobs	44,277	61,986
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 50%	High School Diploma, 49%
Average age	43	43
Years of experience	2	2

Turret lathe operator vs machine set up operator salary

Turret lathe operators and machine set up operators have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Turret Lathe Operator	Machine Set Up Operator
Average salary	$38,904	$35,823
Salary range	Between $31,000 And $47,000	Between $28,000 And $45,000
Highest paying City	-	Holyoke, MA
Highest paying state	-	California
Best paying company	-	ABB
Best paying industry	-	Automotive

Differences between turret lathe operator and machine set up operator education

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

	Turret Lathe Operator	Machine Set Up Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 50%	High School Diploma, 49%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Turret lathe operator vs machine set up operator demographics

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

	Turret Lathe Operator	Machine Set Up Operator
Average age	43	43
Gender ratio	Male, 89.2% Female, 10.8%	Male, 86.5% Female, 13.5%
Race ratio	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%	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 turret lathe operator and machine set up operator duties and responsibilities

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.

Machine set up operator example responsibilities.

Perform trial runs on new CNC programs, working with programming and tooling to achieve satisfactory parts.
Used micrometers and calipers to determine require tolerances.
Follow ISO and QS standard operating procedures.
Panel control, fanuc control, & dynapath.
Run machines after setup, inspect parts run.
Work on CNC OKUMA machines, horizontals and verticals.

Turret lathe operator vs machine set up operator skills

Common turret lathe operator skills

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

Common machine set up operator skills

CNC Machines, 13%
Calipers, 10%
Micrometers, 9%
CNC Lathes, 6%
Quality Checks, 5%
Math, 5%

Turret Lathe Operator vs. similar jobs

Turret Lathe Operator related careers

Turret Lathe Operator related jobs

What similar roles do

Zippia Careers
Production and Manufacturing Industry
Turret Lathe Operator
Turret Lathe Operator vs Machine Set Up Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

Browse production and manufacturing jobs