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The differences between press brake operators and operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become a press brake operator, becoming an operator takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, an operator has an average salary of $37,928, 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 operator are safety procedures, CDL, and emergency calls.
| Press Brake Operator | Operator | |
| Yearly salary | $36,359 | $37,928 |
| Hourly rate | $17.48 | $18.23 |
| Growth rate | -5% | 7% |
| Number of jobs | 57,264 | 159,077 |
| Job satisfaction | 5 | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 51% | High School Diploma, 40% |
| Average age | 46 | 43 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 4 |
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.
Operators are skilled workers who are in charge of working on an industrial machine or a specific aspect of the manufacturing business. They are trained to operate machines, learning how to use them. They are also responsible for the maintenance and repair of the machine, and they should be able to troubleshoot problems and provide remedies to them. They must be knowledgeable about the different parts of the machine and how to mitigate any challenges that may arise. Operators should be alert, detail-oriented, and familiar with safety and health guidelines.
Press brake operators and operators have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Press Brake Operator | Operator | |
| Average salary | $36,359 | $37,928 |
| Salary range | Between $29,000 And $45,000 | Between $27,000 And $53,000 |
| Highest paying City | Hartford, CT | San Jose, CA |
| Highest paying state | Rhode Island | North Dakota |
| Best paying company | Johnson Controls | Microsoft |
| Best paying industry | Finance | Technology |
There are a few differences between a press brake operator and an operator in terms of educational background:
| Press Brake Operator | Operator | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 51% | High School Diploma, 40% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between press brake operators' and operators' demographics:
| Press Brake Operator | Operator | |
| Average age | 46 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 91.1% Female, 8.9% | Male, 73.0% Female, 27.0% |
| 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, 16.2% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 18.6% Asian, 2.5% White, 57.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 3% | 4% |