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The differences between press brake operators and line 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 $34,520 average annual salary of a line operator.
The top three skills for a press brake operator include calipers, tape measure and math. The most important skills for a line operator are preventative maintenance, PPE, and basic math.
| Press Brake Operator | Line Operator | |
| Yearly salary | $36,359 | $34,520 |
| Hourly rate | $17.48 | $16.60 |
| Growth rate | -5% | 7% |
| Number of jobs | 57,264 | 137,127 |
| Job satisfaction | 5 | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 51% | High School Diploma, 49% |
| Average age | 46 | 44 |
| 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.
A line operator is responsible for assisting in warehouse and factory operations, usually assigned on doing heavy works for the production. Line operators' duties include operating manufacturing machines and equipment, placing products on the appropriate shelves, checking supplies and inventories, loading orders for shipments, inspecting products for any defects, labeling products accurately, adhering to the safety procedures to prevent product contamination, and observing sanitary regulations. A line operator must have comprehensive knowledge of the mechanical industry, as well as the ability to multi-task, especially on meeting deadlines and processing customers' orders.
Press brake operators and line operators have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Press Brake Operator | Line Operator | |
| Average salary | $36,359 | $34,520 |
| Salary range | Between $29,000 And $45,000 | Between $27,000 And $43,000 |
| Highest paying City | Hartford, CT | Grand Forks, ND |
| Highest paying state | Rhode Island | North Dakota |
| Best paying company | Johnson Controls | BD |
| Best paying industry | Finance | Manufacturing |
There are a few differences between a press brake operator and a line operator in terms of educational background:
| Press Brake Operator | Line Operator | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 51% | High School Diploma, 49% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between press brake operators' and line operators' demographics:
| Press Brake Operator | Line Operator | |
| Average age | 46 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 91.1% Female, 8.9% | Male, 67.6% Female, 32.4% |
| 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, 11.9% Unknown, 3.4% Hispanic or Latino, 15.4% Asian, 7.0% White, 61.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 3% | 5% |