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The differences between press brake operators and extrusion operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, an extrusion operator has an average salary of $36,571, which is higher than the $36,359 average annual salary of a press brake operator.
The top three skills for a press brake operator include calipers, tape measure and math. The most important skills for an extrusion operator are extrusion, hand tools, and math.
| Press Brake Operator | Extrusion Operator | |
| Yearly salary | $36,359 | $36,571 |
| Hourly rate | $17.48 | $17.58 |
| Growth rate | -5% | -5% |
| Number of jobs | 57,264 | 58,622 |
| Job satisfaction | 5 | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 51% | High School Diploma, 53% |
| Average age | 46 | 43 |
| Years of experience | 2 | - |
A press brake is a machine used to manipulate metal into various shapes and forms. Press brake operators manufacture tools, metal, and other pieces of equipment using a press brake to make punches, bends, and cuts into sheet or plate metal. These operators may have their own business, work in a factory setting, or other types of machinery shops.
An extrusion operator is also sometimes called a drawing machine operator. They control and monitor machines that shape thermoplastic materials for industries such as aerospace manufacturing, general plastics manufacturing, and automobile and auto parts manufacturing. An extrusion operator sets up and operates a machine following established procedures, guidelines, and customer requirement. Mechanical skills are the very foundation of being an extrusion operator. An extrusion operator also needs physical strength, stamina, computer skills, and critical thinking skills.
Press brake operators and extrusion operators have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Press Brake Operator | Extrusion Operator | |
| Average salary | $36,359 | $36,571 |
| Salary range | Between $29,000 And $45,000 | Between $29,000 And $45,000 |
| Highest paying City | Hartford, CT | Minnetonka, MN |
| Highest paying state | Rhode Island | Connecticut |
| Best paying company | Johnson Controls | BD |
| Best paying industry | Finance | Automotive |
There are a few differences between a press brake operator and an extrusion operator in terms of educational background:
| Press Brake Operator | Extrusion Operator | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 51% | High School Diploma, 53% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between press brake operators' and extrusion operators' demographics:
| Press Brake Operator | Extrusion Operator | |
| Average age | 46 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 91.1% Female, 8.9% | Male, 88.6% Female, 11.4% |
| 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, 9.7% Unknown, 2.8% Hispanic or Latino, 12.1% Asian, 2.3% White, 72.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 3% | 3% |