Press brake operator vs welder-machine operator

The differences between press brake operators and welder-machine 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 a welder-machine operator takes usually requires 3-6 months. Additionally, a welder-machine operator has an average salary of $37,171, 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 welder-machine operator are arc welding, safety equipment, and stainless steel.

Press brake operator vs welder-machine operator overview

	Press Brake Operator	Welder-Machine Operator
Yearly salary	$36,359	$37,171
Hourly rate	$17.48	$17.87
Growth rate	-5%	-5%
Number of jobs	57,264	68,316
Job satisfaction	5	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 51%	High School Diploma, 53%
Average age	46	40
Years of experience	2	6

Press brake operator vs welder-machine operator salary

Press brake operators and welder-machine operators have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Press Brake Operator	Welder-Machine Operator
Average salary	$36,359	$37,171
Salary range	Between $29,000 And $45,000	Between $27,000 And $49,000
Highest paying City	Hartford, CT	Fontana, CA
Highest paying state	Rhode Island	Nevada
Best paying company	Johnson Controls	BWX Technologies
Best paying industry	Finance	Technology

Differences between press brake operator and welder-machine operator education

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

	Press Brake Operator	Welder-Machine Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 51%	High School Diploma, 53%
Most common major	Business	Precision Metal Working
Most common college	-	Dunwoody College of Technology

Press brake operator vs welder-machine operator demographics

Here are the differences between press brake operators' and welder-machine operators' demographics:

	Press Brake Operator	Welder-Machine Operator
Average age	46	40
Gender ratio	Male, 91.1% Female, 8.9%	Male, 84.6% Female, 15.4%
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, 11.0% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 17.5% Asian, 2.7% White, 63.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.6%
LGBT Percentage	3%	3%

Differences between press brake operator and welder-machine 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.

Welder-machine operator example responsibilities.

Weld required parts using GMAW, GTAW, and SMAW.
Require to weld a wide veriety of assemblies, fabricate parts and maintain equipment and fixtures employing GMAW and GTAW techniques.
Operate the welding robots and do rework with the MIG welder.
Weld both steel and aluminum pressure tanks for both train and truck air brake systems.
Dismantle metal assemblies and cut scrap metal, using thermal-cutting equipment such as flame-cutting torches or plasma-arc equipment.
Position, align, fit, and weld together parts, using jigs, welding torch, and hand tools.

Press brake operator vs welder-machine operator skills

Common press brake operator skills

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

Common welder-machine operator skills

Arc Welding, 7%
Safety Equipment, 7%
Stainless Steel, 6%
CNC, 6%
Tig Welding, 5%
Tape Measure, 5%

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Press Brake Operator
Press Brake Operator vs Welder-Machine Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

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