Career fit quiz

Is Lathe Operator the Right Career for You?

A quick, free 8-question quiz to see how well the lathe operator career fits your personality, preferences and goals.

Updated By the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team
How this quiz works

Rate how much you agree with each statement. The quiz compares your answers with the realities of the lathe operator job and gives you an honest fit score in under two minutes. Nothing is saved or sent anywhere.

Statement 1 of 8I like precision
Statement 2 of 8I like machines
Statement 3 of 8I can follow drawings
Statement 4 of 8I like measuring
Statement 5 of 8I want a machining path
Statement 6 of 8I don’t need a degree
Statement 7 of 8I’m willing to spend about A few months on the job training for this career
Statement 8 of 8A typical salary around $50,620 a year would meet my needs

What this career really involves

Lathe and turning machine tool setters, operators and tenders, metal and plastic, set up, operate or tend lathe and turning machines to turn, bore, thread or face metal or plastic materials.

  • Set up lathes
  • Select tooling
  • Turn diameters
  • Cut threads
  • Bore and face

Read a full day in the life or see lathe operator salary data.

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