Press brake operator vs set-up operator

The differences between press brake operators and set-up operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a press brake operator and a set-up operator. Additionally, a set-up operator has an average salary of $39,269, 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 a set-up operator are calipers, cnc machines, and hand tools.

Press brake operator vs set-up operator overview

	Press Brake Operator	Set-Up Operator
Yearly salary	$36,359	$39,269
Hourly rate	$17.48	$18.88
Growth rate	-5%	-8%
Number of jobs	57,264	55,670
Job satisfaction	5	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 51%	High School Diploma, 44%
Average age	46	43
Years of experience	2	2

What does a press brake operator do?

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.

What does a set-up operator do?

A machine set-up operator operates machinery such as grinders, bores, and mills. They prepare machines to be used by organizing tools, setting valve directions, sharpening tools as needed, positioning tools, and conducting regular maintenance.

Press brake operator vs set-up operator salary

Press brake operators and set-up operators have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Press Brake Operator	Set-Up Operator
Average salary	$36,359	$39,269
Salary range	Between $29,000 And $45,000	Between $28,000 And $53,000
Highest paying City	Hartford, CT	Rochester, NY
Highest paying state	Rhode Island	New York
Best paying company	Johnson Controls	Schneider Electric Industrial Services
Best paying industry	Finance	Automotive

Differences between press brake operator and set-up operator education

There are a few differences between a press brake operator and a set-up operator in terms of educational background:

	Press Brake Operator	Set-Up Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 51%	High School Diploma, 44%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Press brake operator vs set-up operator demographics

Here are the differences between press brake operators' and set-up operators' demographics:

	Press Brake Operator	Set-Up Operator
Average age	46	43
Gender ratio	Male, 91.1% Female, 8.9%	Male, 85.6% Female, 14.4%
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, 4.9% Unknown, 5.4% Hispanic or Latino, 14.8% Asian, 6.0% White, 68.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%
LGBT Percentage	3%	6%

Differences between press brake operator and set-up operator duties and responsibilities

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.

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Set-up operator example responsibilities.

Manage daily scheduling of production workload to be setup and run on machinery.
Use and replacement of drills, taps, broaches, and reamers.
Manufacture parts according to blueprints, work with stainless steel aluminum, brass and plastics.
Machine parts to specifications, using machine tools, such as lathes, milling machines, or grinders.
Use of exact measuring instruments as CMM, optical comparators, mics, bore gauges and many other tools.
Produce parts from different materials such as cold roll steel, stainless steel, no lead brass and regular brass.

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Press brake operator vs set-up operator skills

Common press brake operator skills

Calipers, 12%
Tape Measure, 9%
Math, 8%
Hand Tools, 7%
Amada, 5%
Safety Procedures, 4%

Common set-up operator skills

Calipers, 9%
CNC Machines, 7%
Hand Tools, 7%
Math, 6%
Quality Checks, 6%
Preventative Maintenance, 6%

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Updated January 8, 2025

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