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Press brake operator salary
Average press brake operator salary
$36,359
Average Press Brake Operator Salary
The average salary for a Press Brake Operator in the United States is $36,359 annually, or about $17 per hour. These operators play a critical role in manufacturing, responsible for setting up and operating press brake machines to bend and shape metal materials.
Factors Influencing Salary
Several factors can influence salary levels, including geographic location, years of experience, and the specific industry. For instance, states like California and New York generally offer higher pay scales due to the cost of living and demand for skilled labor.
Salary by Experience Level
Entry-level positions may start lower, while seasoned operators can command higher salaries, reflecting their expertise and efficiency. Understanding these dynamics can guide aspiring professionals in their career trajectories.
Job Opportunities for Press Brake Operators
Job openings for press brake operators can be found in various sectors, including manufacturing and construction. Websites like Zippia provide a platform to search for available positions and apply directly, making it easier to find jobs suited to your skills.
Let Zippia find your next press brake operator job
Let Zippia find your next press brake operator job
Where can a Press Brake Operator earn more?
Press brake operator salaries by experience level
Press brake operator salary estimates from across the web
Average press brake operator salary by state
The average press brake operator salary in Rhode Island, Delaware, and New Hampshire are the highest in the U.S. The lowest average press brake operator salary states are Alabama, Oklahoma, and Arkansas.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for press brake operators
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rhode Island | $42,212 | $20.29 |
| 2 | New Hampshire | $41,796 | $20.09 |
| 3 | Wisconsin | $40,319 | $19.38 |
| 4 | Massachusetts | $41,312 | $19.86 |
| 5 | Alaska | $40,944 | $19.68 |
| 6 | Nevada | $41,021 | $19.72 |
| 7 | Minnesota | $39,205 | $18.85 |
| 8 | Delaware | $42,086 | $20.23 |
| 9 | South Dakota | $39,581 | $19.03 |
| 10 | Connecticut | $41,500 | $19.95 |
| 11 | District of Columbia | $41,636 | $20.02 |
| 12 | Vermont | $40,648 | $19.54 |
| 13 | Kansas | $38,691 | $18.60 |
| 14 | Maine | $38,609 | $18.56 |
| 15 | West Virginia | $40,476 | $19.46 |
| 16 | Idaho | $38,642 | $18.58 |
| 17 | Kentucky | $36,916 | $17.75 |
| 18 | Ohio | $35,967 | $17.29 |
| 19 | Michigan | $36,663 | $17.63 |
| 20 | Indiana | $35,913 | $17.27 |
| 21 | Maryland | $41,042 | $19.73 |
| 22 | Colorado | $39,439 | $18.96 |
| 23 | North Dakota | $37,767 | $18.16 |
| 24 | Washington | $39,294 | $18.89 |
| 25 | Oregon | $38,311 | $18.42 |
| 26 | Utah | $36,562 | $17.58 |
| 27 | Hawaii | $36,425 | $17.51 |
| 28 | South Carolina | $35,870 | $17.25 |
| 29 | New Jersey | $35,850 | $17.24 |
| 30 | Tennessee | $33,989 | $16.34 |
| 31 | Montana | $37,771 | $18.16 |
| 32 | Pennsylvania | $35,105 | $16.88 |
| 33 | Louisiana | $37,158 | $17.86 |
| 34 | California | $38,791 | $18.65 |
| 35 | Virginia | $37,961 | $18.25 |
| 36 | New York | $37,158 | $17.86 |
| 37 | Nebraska | $34,393 | $16.54 |
| 38 | Illinois | $35,335 | $16.99 |
| 39 | Mississippi | $34,337 | $16.51 |
| 40 | Iowa | $33,363 | $16.04 |
| 41 | North Carolina | $33,545 | $16.13 |
| 42 | Wyoming | $35,824 | $17.22 |
| 43 | Georgia | $33,827 | $16.26 |
| 44 | Alabama | $33,297 | $16.01 |
| 45 | Missouri | $33,921 | $16.31 |
| 46 | Arkansas | $33,102 | $15.91 |
| 47 | Oklahoma | $33,148 | $15.94 |
| 48 | Texas | $32,558 | $15.65 |
| 49 | New Mexico | $33,346 | $16.03 |
| 50 | Florida | $32,859 | $15.80 |
| 51 | Arizona | $31,460 | $15.13 |
Highest paying cities for press brake operators
The highest-paying cities for press brake operators are Hartford, CT, Green Bay, WI, and Vancouver, WA.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hartford, CT | $41,477 | $19.94 |
| 2 | Green Bay, WI | $40,530 | $19.49 |
| 3 | Vancouver, WA | $39,482 | $18.98 |
| 4 | Saint Paul, MN | $39,251 | $18.87 |
| 5 | Olathe, KS | $38,843 | $18.67 |
| 6 | Gardena, CA | $38,516 | $18.52 |
| 7 | Portland, OR | $38,276 | $18.40 |
| 8 | Columbia, SC | $35,924 | $17.27 |
| 9 | Columbus, OH | $35,760 | $17.19 |
| 10 | Indianapolis, IN | $35,754 | $17.19 |
| 11 | Crystal Lake, IL | $35,416 | $17.03 |
| 12 | Lincoln, NE | $34,400 | $16.54 |
| 13 | Saint Louis, MO | $33,995 | $16.34 |
| 14 | Atlanta, GA | $33,897 | $16.30 |
| 15 | Wilson, NC | $33,788 | $16.24 |
| 16 | Cedar Rapids, IA | $33,486 | $16.10 |
| 17 | Bessemer, AL | $33,312 | $16.02 |
| 18 | Tulsa, OK | $33,304 | $16.01 |
| 19 | Clearwater, FL | $32,817 | $15.78 |
| 20 | McKinney, TX | $32,568 | $15.66 |
Press brake operator salary details
A press brake operator's salary ranges from $29,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $45,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a press brake operator's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $45,000 | $3,750 | $22 |
| 75th Percentile | $40,000 | $3,333 | $19 |
| Average | $36,359 | $3,030 | $17 |
| 25th Percentile | $32,000 | $2,667 | $15 |
| 10th Percentile | $29,000 | $2,417 | $14 |
Highest paying press brake operator jobs
The highest paying types of press brake operators are set-up operator, grinder operator, and punch press operator.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Production Operator | $35,185 | $2,932 | $16.92 | 117,254 |
| Set-Up Operator | $39,269 | $3,272 | $18.88 | 55,670 |
| Operator | $37,928 | $3,161 | $18.23 | 159,077 |
| Extrusion Operator | $36,571 | $3,048 | $17.58 | 58,622 |
| Laser Operator | $34,813 | $2,901 | $16.74 | 56,479 |
| Assembling Machine Operator | $31,275 | $2,606 | $15.04 | 87,253 |
Top companies hiring press brake operators now:
Which companies pay press brake operators the most?
Press brake operator salaries at Johnson Controls and VSR Industries are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average press brake operator salary at companies like Globus Medical and Simpson Manufacturing Co are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Johnson Controls | $49,354 | $23.73 |
| 2 | VSR Industries | $47,501 | $22.84 |
| 3 | Globus Medical | $46,518 | $22.36 |
| 4 | Simpson Manufacturing Co | $46,465 | $22.34 |
| 5 | Kloeckner Metals | $46,080 | $22.15 |
| 6 | SPX | $46,073 | $22.15 |
| 7 | Steris | $45,712 | $21.98 |
| 8 | Federal Signal | $45,002 | $21.64 |
| 9 | Eaton | $44,611 | $21.45 |
| 10 | Armstrong World Industries | $43,926 | $21.12 |
| 11 | Toro | $43,826 | $21.07 |
| 12 | Olympic Steel | $43,623 | $20.97 |
| 13 | Micro Metals Inc. | $43,464 | $20.90 |
| 14 | McElroy | $43,082 | $20.71 |
| 15 | Wabtec Corporation | $43,037 | $20.69 |
| 16 | REV Group | $43,030 | $20.69 |
| 17 | GPAC | $42,936 | $20.64 |
| 18 | Metals USA | $42,440 | $20.40 |
| 19 | VisionCorp Rep | $42,379 | $20.37 |
| 20 | rms | $42,049 | $20.22 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Press Brake Operator salary by industry
The average press brake operator salary varies across industries:
- The average press brake operator salary in the finance industry is $40,158, the highest of any industry.
- The average press brake operator salary in the finance industry is $38,821.
- Press brake operators in the professional industry earn an average salary of $34,873, the lowest of any industry.
Highest paying industries for press brake operators
| Rank | Industry | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Finance | $40,158 | $19.31 |
| 2 | Manufacturing | $38,821 | $18.66 |
| 3 | Retail | $35,973 | $17.29 |
| 4 | Professional | $34,873 | $16.77 |
High paying press brake operator jobs
Press brake operator salary trends
The average press brake operator salary has risen by $7,138 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average press brake operator earned $29,221 annually, but today, they earn $36,359 a year. That works out to a 14% change in pay for press brake operators over the last decade.
Compare press brake operator salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average press brake operator salary over time
Compare press brake operator salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Press brake operator salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $36,400 | $17.48 | +3.7% |
| 2024 | $35,000 | $16.83 | +3.2% |
| 2023 | $33,900 | $16.29 | +4.1% |
| 2022 | $32,500 | $15.63 | +2.1% |
| 2021 | $31,800 | $15.30 | +3.4% |
Recently added press brake operator salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alloy Engineering | Press Brake Operator | Berea, OH | 06/30/2025 | $41,740 |
| Mickey Truck Bodies | Press Brake Operator | High Point, NC | 06/29/2025 | $36,523 |
| Aerotek | Press Brake Operator | Georgetown, MA | 06/28/2025 | $43,827 |
| Aerotek | CNC Press Brake Operator | Frankfort, IL | 06/28/2025 | $41,740 |
| Aerotek | Press Brake Operator | North Charleston, SC | 06/28/2025 | $45,914 |
| Webco Manufacturing Inc. | Press Brake Operator | Olathe, KS | 06/28/2025 | $43,827 |
| Atwork | Brake Press Operator-Urgently | North Las Vegas, NV | 06/28/2025 | $41,740 |
| Greenkiss Staffing Solutions, Inc. | Armada Press Brake Operator | Cranston, RI | 06/28/2025 | $52,175 |
| Qualserv Solutions, LLC | Brake Press Operator-1St. Shift | Bono, AR | 06/28/2025 | $33,392 |
| Aerotek | Press Brake Operator | Boise, ID | 06/27/2025 | $45,914 |
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