Vertical lathe operator vs machine tool operator

The differences between vertical lathe operators and machine tool 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 vertical lathe operator and a machine tool operator. Additionally, a vertical lathe operator has an average salary of $37,288, which is higher than the $36,999 average annual salary of a machine tool operator.

The top three skills for a vertical lathe operator include cnc vertical, FANUC and quality checks. The most important skills for a machine tool operator are hand tools, cnc machines, and machine tools.

Vertical lathe operator vs machine tool operator overview

	Vertical Lathe Operator	Machine Tool Operator
Yearly salary	$37,288	$36,999
Hourly rate	$17.93	$17.79
Growth rate	-8%	-8%
Number of jobs	29,497	66,471
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 40%	Associate Degree, 35%
Average age	43	43
Years of experience	2	2

Vertical lathe operator vs machine tool operator salary

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

	Vertical Lathe Operator	Machine Tool Operator
Average salary	$37,288	$36,999
Salary range	Between $29,000 And $47,000	Between $10,000 And $128,000
Highest paying City	-	Garfield, NJ
Highest paying state	-	California
Best paying company	-	NOV
Best paying industry	-	-

Differences between vertical lathe operator and machine tool operator education

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

	Vertical Lathe Operator	Machine Tool Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 40%	Associate Degree, 35%
Most common major	Electrical Engineering Technology	Business
Most common college	-	-

Vertical lathe operator vs machine tool operator demographics

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

	Vertical Lathe Operator	Machine Tool Operator
Average age	43	43
Gender ratio	Male, 92.2% Female, 7.8%	Male, 89.8% Female, 10.2%
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, 4.9% Unknown, 5.4% Hispanic or Latino, 14.7% Asian, 6.0% White, 68.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%
LGBT Percentage	6%	6%

Differences between vertical lathe operator and machine tool 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.

Machine tool operator example responsibilities.

Operate Fanuc controls for Mori-Seki and Okuma CNC lathes.
Perform duties in compliance with ISO, QS-9000 and TQM principles and standards.
Adhere to GMP and HACCP plans within regulations.
Execute rig up and the maintenance of wellhead isolation tools as well as high-pressure well controls.
Set up and operate: lathes, mills, grinders, screw machines and electrical disintegration machines.
Perform various validation techniques using measuring instruments such as micrometers and calipers.

Vertical lathe operator vs machine tool operator skills

Common vertical lathe operator skills

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

Common machine tool operator skills

Hand Tools, 16%
CNC Machines, 10%
Machine Tools, 10%
Grinders, 9%
Drill Presses, 8%
Rig, 7%

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

Updated January 8, 2025

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