Laser operator vs punch press operator

The differences between laser operators and punch press 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 laser operator and a punch press operator. Additionally, a punch press operator has an average salary of $37,977, which is higher than the $34,813 average annual salary of a laser operator.

The top three skills for a laser operator include laser cutting, calipers and laser machine. The most important skills for a punch press operator are calipers, turret punch press, and micrometers.

Laser operator vs punch press operator overview

	Laser Operator	Punch Press Operator
Yearly salary	$34,813	$37,977
Hourly rate	$16.74	$18.26
Growth rate	-8%	-5%
Number of jobs	56,479	49,830
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 42%	High School Diploma, 52%
Average age	43	46
Years of experience	2	2

Laser operator vs punch press operator salary

Laser operators and punch press operators have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Laser Operator	Punch Press Operator
Average salary	$34,813	$37,977
Salary range	Between $27,000 And $44,000	Between $29,000 And $48,000
Highest paying City	Oregon City, OR	Brooklyn Park, MN
Highest paying state	Oregon	Minnesota
Best paying company	Kloeckner Metals	Fortune Brands Home & Security
Best paying industry	Technology	Manufacturing

Differences between laser operator and punch press operator education

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

	Laser Operator	Punch Press Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 42%	High School Diploma, 52%
Most common major	Business	General Studies
Most common college	-	-

Laser operator vs punch press operator demographics

Here are the differences between laser operators' and punch press operators' demographics:

	Laser Operator	Punch Press Operator
Average age	43	46
Gender ratio	Male, 82.1% Female, 17.9%	Male, 80.7% Female, 19.3%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 4.8% Unknown, 5.4% Hispanic or Latino, 14.6% Asian, 6.0% White, 68.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%	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	6%	3%

Differences between laser operator and punch press operator duties and responsibilities

Laser operator example responsibilities.

Calculate requirements, using basic math, geometry.
Follow and comply to GMP, FDA, and ISO regulations
Uphold all ISO and OSHA standards applicable to the responsibilities list above.
Complete SPC charts to track tool capability and hold tight tolerances on small parts.
Used micrometers and protractors to check dimension and angle of part during all job set ups and quality control checks.
Perform quality control inspection using calipers/gauges/micrometers and digital comparators.

Punch press operator example responsibilities.

Calculate dimensions or tolerances, using instruments such as micrometers or veneer calipers.
Die room equipment Gerber profile 408 cnc router table.
Set up and run all aspects of the stamping process
Possess the ability to effectively utilize advance shop math and computer skills.
Operate forklifts, pallet jacks and hoists to move stock and product.
Grind out burrs and sharp edges, using portable grinders, speed lathes, and polishing jacks.

Laser operator vs punch press operator skills

Common laser operator skills

Laser Cutting, 13%
Calipers, 8%
Laser Machine, 7%
Math, 6%
Hand Tools, 5%
CNC Laser, 4%

Common punch press operator skills

Calipers, 14%
Turret Punch Press, 10%
Micrometers, 8%
Math, 7%
Punch Press Machine, 6%
Machine Operation, 5%