Brake operator vs press brake operator

The differences between brake operators and press brake 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 brake operator and a press brake operator. Additionally, a brake operator has an average salary of $38,911, which is higher than the $36,359 average annual salary of a press brake operator.

The top three skills for a brake operator include calipers, basic math and tape measure. The most important skills for a press brake operator are calipers, tape measure, and math.

Brake operator vs press brake operator overview

	Brake Operator	Press Brake Operator
Yearly salary	$38,911	$36,359
Hourly rate	$18.71	$17.48
Growth rate	-5%	-5%
Number of jobs	46,164	57,264
Job satisfaction	-	5
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 50%	High School Diploma, 51%
Average age	46	46
Years of experience	2	2

Brake operator vs press brake operator salary

Brake operators and press brake operators have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Brake Operator	Press Brake Operator
Average salary	$38,911	$36,359
Salary range	Between $30,000 And $49,000	Between $29,000 And $45,000
Highest paying City	-	Hartford, CT
Highest paying state	-	Rhode Island
Best paying company	-	Johnson Controls
Best paying industry	-	Finance

Differences between brake operator and press brake operator education

There are a few differences between a brake operator and a press brake operator in terms of educational background:

	Brake Operator	Press Brake Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 50%	High School Diploma, 51%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Brake operator vs press brake operator demographics

Here are the differences between brake operators' and press brake operators' demographics:

	Brake Operator	Press Brake Operator
Average age	46	46
Gender ratio	Male, 87.8% Female, 12.2%	Male, 91.1% Female, 8.9%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 7.9% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 13.4% Asian, 1.7% White, 71.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%	Black or African American, 7.9% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 13.4% Asian, 1.7% White, 71.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage	3%	3%

Differences between brake operator and press brake operator duties and responsibilities

Brake operator example responsibilities.

Experience using micrometers, squares, calipers and protractors.
Perform light mig and tig welding and metal refinishing.
Align motor, air end and coupling using calipers, dial indicators and straight edges.
Operate brake press to meet OE specifications.
Perform basic troubleshooting of extrusion machinery and plastics processes.
Measure part angle with protractor, flange length with measureing tape and material thickness with micrometer.

Press brake operator example responsibilities.

Set up machines and troubleshoot.
Set up and run a turret punch
Maintain and ensure proper use of PPE.
Promote from tool operator to dye shop.
Hold tight tolerances and always use your PPE.
Used math skills to produce parts to a specific dimension.

Brake operator vs press brake operator skills

Common brake operator skills

Calipers, 15%
Basic Math, 14%
Tape Measure, 12%
Hand Tools, 10%
Pallets, 6%
Read Blueprints, 6%

Common press brake operator skills

Calipers, 12%
Tape Measure, 9%
Math, 8%
Hand Tools, 7%
Amada, 5%
Safety Procedures, 4%