Vertical lathe operator vs blasting machine operator

The differences between vertical lathe operators and blasting machine operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become a vertical lathe operator, becoming a blasting machine operator takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a vertical lathe operator has an average salary of $37,288, which is higher than the $31,116 average annual salary of a blasting machine operator.

The top three skills for a vertical lathe operator include cnc vertical, FANUC and quality checks. The most important skills for a blasting machine operator are basic math, hand tools, and blast machine.

Vertical lathe operator vs blasting machine operator overview

	Vertical Lathe Operator	Blasting Machine Operator
Yearly salary	$37,288	$31,116
Hourly rate	$17.93	$14.96
Growth rate	-8%	4%
Number of jobs	29,497	57,806
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 40%	High School Diploma, 63%
Average age	43	43
Years of experience	2	4

Vertical lathe operator vs blasting machine operator salary

Vertical lathe operators and blasting machine operators have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Vertical Lathe Operator	Blasting Machine Operator
Average salary	$37,288	$31,116
Salary range	Between $29,000 And $47,000	Between $21,000 And $46,000
Highest paying City	-	-
Highest paying state	-	-
Best paying company	-	-
Best paying industry	-	-

Differences between vertical lathe operator and blasting machine operator education

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

	Vertical Lathe Operator	Blasting Machine Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 40%	High School Diploma, 63%
Most common major	Electrical Engineering Technology	Business
Most common college	-	-

Vertical lathe operator vs blasting machine operator demographics

Here are the differences between vertical lathe operators' and blasting machine operators' demographics:

	Vertical Lathe Operator	Blasting Machine Operator
Average age	43	43
Gender ratio	Male, 92.2% Female, 7.8%	Male, 92.0% Female, 8.0%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 5.2% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 14.5% Asian, 5.2% White, 69.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%	Black or African American, 9.2% Unknown, 3.7% Hispanic or Latino, 16.0% Asian, 2.5% White, 67.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.3%
LGBT Percentage	6%	2%

Differences between vertical lathe operator and blasting machine operator duties and responsibilities

Vertical lathe operator example responsibilities.

Perform trial runs on new CNC programs, working with programming and tooling to achieve satisfactory parts.
Perform inspection duties on CMM as needed.
Perform quality control inspection using calipers/gauges/micrometers and digital comparators.
Conduct maintenance on equipment and setup for large boring machines.
Operate heavy duty lathes, boring machines and mills, planers, shapers and grinders.

Blasting machine operator example responsibilities.

Assure that the proper abrasive metal, grit, metal shoot, seed, glass bead etc.
Utilize up to three 30 ton roof cranes simultaneously to safely maneuver girders weighing up to 82 tons.
Record statistics on ISO documentation, and coordinate with machine technicians and electrical technicians to keep machines operating at maximum efficiency.
Operate industrial paint vats, cross train on overhead cab crane and heat treat.
Operate CNC horizontal milling machines and CNC wire and sinker EDM machines.
Assemble bolt and wire harnesses, forklift, tool crib, and EDM machine operator.

Vertical lathe operator vs blasting machine operator skills

Common vertical lathe operator skills

CNC Vertical, 65%
FANUC, 17%
Quality Checks, 17%

Common blasting machine operator skills

Basic Math, 76%
Hand Tools, 5%
Blast Machine, 5%
Cranes, 5%
Grit, 4%
CNC, 2%

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Production and Manufacturing Industry
Vertical Lathe Operator
Vertical Lathe Operator vs Blasting Machine Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

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