A press brake operator most commonly works in manufacturing and production, handling tasks related to setting up and operating press brakes. They perform duties such as verifying the accuracy of machine settings and functions, detecting and reporting equipment malfuction, and working on products that conform to quality control.
As an essential part of the production line, a press brake operator must be knowledgeable in the machines and tools related to their duties and responsibilities. They also have to communicate with shift supervisors and next shift operators regarding all production-related items and processes.
To qualify for the job, a press brake operator is required to have at least a high school diploma or GED. Preferably, they also have prior experience in operating press brakes. Because of the nature of their work, they need physical stamina, the ability to read blueprints, familiarity with metals and measuring tools, and computer literacy.
Press Brake Operator Overview
Working as a Press Brake Operator
There is more than meets the eye when it comes to being a press brake operator. For example, did you know that they make an average of $15.82 an hour? That's $32,913 a year!
Between 2018 and 2028, the career is expected to grow -8% and produce -83,800 job opportunities across the U.S.
What Does a Press Brake Operator Do
There are certain skills that many press brake operators have in order to accomplish their responsibilities. By taking a look through resumes, we were able to narrow down the most common skills for a person in this position. We discovered that a lot of resumes listed computer skills, dexterity and mechanical skills.
When it comes to the most important skills required to be a press brake operator, we found that a lot of resumes listed 17.5% of press brake operators included inspect parts, while 13.5% of resumes included drill press, and 8.5% of resumes included tape measure. Hard skills like these are helpful to have when it comes to performing essential job responsibilities.
When it comes to searching for a job, many search for a key term or phrase. Instead, it might be more helpful to search by industry, as you might be missing jobs that you never thought about in industries that you didn't even think offered positions related to the press brake operator job title. But what industry to start with? Most press brake operators actually find jobs in the manufacturing and professional industries.
How To Become a Press Brake Operator
If you're interested in becoming a press brake operator, one of the first things to consider is how much education you need. We've determined that 7.2% of press brake operators have a bachelor's degree. In terms of higher education levels, we found that 0.5% of press brake operators have master's degrees. Even though some press brake operators have a college degree, it's possible to become one with only a high school degree or GED.
Choosing the right major is always an important step when researching how to become a press brake operator. When we researched the most common majors for a press brake operator, we found that they most commonly earn high school diploma degrees or associate degree degrees. Other degrees that we often see on press brake operator resumes include diploma degrees or bachelor's degree degrees.
You may find that experience in other jobs will help you become a press brake operator. In fact, many press brake operator jobs require experience in a role such as machine operator. Meanwhile, many press brake operators also have previous career experience in roles such as numerical control operator or welder.
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Press Brake Operator Career Paths
In addition to switching up your job search, it might prove helpful to look at a career path for your specific job. Now, what's a career path you ask? Well, it's practically a map that shows how you might advance from one job title to another. Our career paths are especially detailed with salary changes. So, for example, if you started out with the role of welder you might progress to a role such as driver eventually. Later on in your career, you could end up with the title superintendent.
What is the right job for my career path?
Tell us your goals and we'll match you with the rights job to get there.
Average Salary for a Press Brake Operator
Best Paying Cities
Recently Added Salaries
Job TitleCompany  | Company | Start Date | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
Aerotek Press Brake Operator Press Brake Operator | Aerotek Aerotek | 01/29/2021 01/29/2021 | $37,56601/29/2021 $37,566 |
Aventure Staffing Professional Placement Press Brake Operator Press Brake Operator | Aventure Staffing Professional Placement Aventure Staffing Professional Placement | 01/29/2021 01/29/2021 | $31,30501/29/2021 $31,305 |
Aventure Staffing Press Brake Operator Press Brake Operator | Aventure Staffing Aventure Staffing | 01/28/2021 01/28/2021 | $31,30501/28/2021 $31,305 |
Aerotek Brake Press Operator Brake Press Operator | Aerotek Aerotek | 01/25/2021 01/25/2021 | $34,43601/25/2021 $34,436 |
Aerotek Press Brake Operator Press Brake Operator | Aerotek Aerotek | 01/23/2021 01/23/2021 | $35,47901/23/2021 $35,479 |
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Press Brake Operator Resumes
Designing and figuring out what to include on your resume can be tough, not to mention time-consuming. That's why we put together a guide that is designed to help you craft the perfect resume for becoming a Press Brake Operator. If you're needing extra inspiration, take a look through our selection of templates that are specific to your job.
Learn How To Write a Press Brake Operator Resume
At Zippia, we went through countless Press Brake Operator resumes and compiled some information about how best to optimize them. Here are some suggestions based on what we found, divided by the individual sections of the resume itself.
View Detailed InformationTop Skills For a Press Brake Operator
The skills section on your resume can be almost as important as the experience section, so you want it to be an accurate portrayal of what you can do. Luckily, we've found all of the skills you'll need so even if you don't have these skills yet, you know what you need to work on. Out of all the resumes we looked through, 17.5% of press brake operators listed inspect parts on their resume, but soft skills such as computer skills and dexterity are important as well.
- Inspect Parts, 17.5%
- Drill Press, 13.5%
- Tape Measure, 8.5%
- Hand Tools, 6.7%
- Amada, 4.3%
- Other Skills, 49.5% See All Press Brake Operator Skills
Best States For a Press Brake Operator
Some places are better than others when it comes to starting a career as a press brake operator. The best states for people in this position are Washington, Idaho, Alaska, and Wyoming. Press brake operators make the most in Washington with an average salary of $41,961. Whereas in Idaho and Alaska, they would average $40,696 and $40,682, respectively. While press brake operators would only make an average of $40,546 in Wyoming, you would still make more there than in the rest of the country. We determined these as the best states based on job availability and pay. By finding the median salary, cost of living, and using the Bureau of Labor Statistics' Location Quotient, we narrowed down our list of states to these four.
1. Minnesota
$39,769
Avg. Salary
2. Iowa
$35,600
Avg. Salary
3. Wisconsin
$35,251
Avg. Salary
How Do Press Brake Operator Rate Their Jobs?
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5.0
Patience on the press • July +0000What do you like the most about working as Press Brake Operator?
It was challenging sort of an artistic job Show MoreTop Press Brake Operator Employers
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