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Vertical lathe operator vs numerical control operator

The differences between vertical lathe operators and numerical control 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 numerical control operator. Additionally, a numerical control operator has an average salary of $38,280, which is higher than the $37,288 average annual salary of a vertical lathe operator.

The top three skills for a vertical lathe operator include cnc vertical, FANUC and quality checks. The most important skills for a numerical control operator are calipers, micrometers, and math.

Vertical lathe operator vs numerical control operator overview

Vertical Lathe OperatorNumerical Control Operator
Yearly salary$37,288$38,280
Hourly rate$17.93$18.40
Growth rate-8%-8%
Number of jobs29,49785,068
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 40%High School Diploma, 43%
Average age4343
Years of experience22

Vertical lathe operator vs numerical control operator salary

Vertical lathe operators and numerical control operators have different pay scales, as shown below.

Vertical Lathe OperatorNumerical Control Operator
Average salary$37,288$38,280
Salary rangeBetween $29,000 And $47,000Between $29,000 And $50,000
Highest paying City-Tualatin, OR
Highest paying state-West Virginia
Best paying company-BWX Technologies
Best paying industry-Automotive

Differences between vertical lathe operator and numerical control operator education

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

Vertical Lathe OperatorNumerical Control Operator
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 40%High School Diploma, 43%
Most common majorElectrical Engineering TechnologyBusiness
Most common college--

Vertical lathe operator vs numerical control operator demographics

Here are the differences between vertical lathe operators' and numerical control operators' demographics:

Vertical Lathe OperatorNumerical Control Operator
Average age4343
Gender ratioMale, 92.2% Female, 7.8%Male, 89.0% Female, 11.0%
Race ratioBlack 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, 4.8% Unknown, 5.4% Hispanic or Latino, 14.7% Asian, 6.0% White, 68.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%
LGBT Percentage6%6%

Differences between vertical lathe operator and numerical control 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.

Numerical control operator example responsibilities.

  • Perform trial runs on new CNC programs, working with programming and tooling to achieve satisfactory parts.
  • Set up and run vertical milling machines and Mori-Seiki lathes
  • Calculate dimensions and tolerances using knowledge of mathematics and instruments such as micrometers and calipers
  • Set up and operate machine turning tools (lathes, MAZAK).
  • Used manual and CNC mills (HAAS), lathes (HAAS) and (OKUMA) and surface grinders.
  • Mill and lathe g-code programming.
  • Show more

Vertical lathe operator vs numerical control operator skills

Common vertical lathe operator skills
  • CNC Vertical, 65%
  • FANUC, 17%
  • Quality Checks, 17%
Common numerical control operator skills
  • Calipers, 12%
  • Micrometers, 9%
  • Math, 6%
  • Lathe Machines, 6%
  • Hand Tools, 6%
  • Safety Standards, 4%

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