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Machine shop worker vs press brake operator

The differences between machine shop workers and press brake operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a press brake operator has an average salary of $36,359, which is higher than the $30,548 average annual salary of a machine shop worker.

The top three skills for a machine shop worker include machine shop, hand tools and calipers. The most important skills for a press brake operator are calipers, tape measure, and math.

Machine shop worker vs press brake operator overview

Machine Shop WorkerPress Brake Operator
Yearly salary$30,548$36,359
Hourly rate$14.69$17.48
Growth rate-5%-5%
Number of jobs60,73657,264
Job satisfaction-5
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 41%High School Diploma, 51%
Average age4346
Years of experience-2

Machine shop worker vs press brake operator salary

Machine shop workers and press brake operators have different pay scales, as shown below.

Machine Shop WorkerPress Brake Operator
Average salary$30,548$36,359
Salary rangeBetween $24,000 And $38,000Between $29,000 And $45,000
Highest paying CityBothell, WAHartford, CT
Highest paying stateWashingtonRhode Island
Best paying companyPrecision CastpartsJohnson Controls
Best paying industryAutomotiveFinance

Differences between machine shop worker and press brake operator education

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

Machine Shop WorkerPress Brake Operator
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 41%High School Diploma, 51%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Machine shop worker vs press brake operator demographics

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

Machine Shop WorkerPress Brake Operator
Average age4346
Gender ratioMale, 91.1% Female, 8.9%Male, 91.1% Female, 8.9%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 11.1% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 18.8% Asian, 8.3% White, 56.7% 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 Percentage5%3%

Differences between machine shop worker and press brake operator duties and responsibilities

Machine shop worker example responsibilities.

  • Perform tig, mig, and spot welding.
  • Perform machine work involving the use of drill press, grinders, power saws, fork lifts and Bridgeport.
  • Perform MIG welding on light gauge materials.
  • Operate heavy duty saws, threading machines, drills, and grinders.
  • Construct automated and structural equipment for companies using primarily aluminum extrusion.
  • Provide quality product, meeting JIT schedules to the assembly plants, on time and in full.

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.
  • Show more

Machine shop worker vs press brake operator skills

Common machine shop worker skills
  • Machine Shop, 31%
  • Hand Tools, 27%
  • Calipers, 12%
  • Grinders, 10%
  • Safety Guidelines, 5%
  • Lathe Machines, 3%
Common press brake operator skills
  • Calipers, 12%
  • Tape Measure, 9%
  • Math, 8%
  • Hand Tools, 7%
  • Amada, 5%
  • Safety Procedures, 4%

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