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.
Press brake operator responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real press brake operator resumes:
- 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.
- Drawl parts using auto cad and upload them to machines.
- Set guides and install jigs or fixtures for positioning work piece.
- Cut steel with a Mazak CNC tube laser according to blueprint.
- Perform a review SPC, including data collection, charts and graphs.
- Used a MD: Yag laser to engrave logos and serial numbers onto medical products
- Read blueprints for design specifications, MIG welding galvanize, stainless and cold roll steels.
- Set up and operate CNC press machine to manufacture metal parts according to blueprints and work orders.
- Insert, align and lock punches and dies in turret with hammer, shims, feelers, micrometers and setscrews.
- Measure thickness of material with calipers and micrometers while sanding to keep material within allowable tolerances.
Press brake operator skills and personality traits
We calculated that 12% of Press Brake Operators are proficient in Calipers, Tape Measure, and Math. They’re also known for soft skills such as Computer skills, Dexterity, and Mechanical skills.
We break down the percentage of Press Brake Operators that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Calipers, 12%
Inspected final product using micrometer and calipers per Specialized Product Control to ensure out-of-specification parts were identified.
- Tape Measure, 9%
Form parts and check angles and dimensions Skills UsedRead tape measure and use of a square
- Math, 8%
Team leader/Press brake operator /Tool and Die maintenance stamping press form parts reading blue prints and using BASIC math skills.
- Hand Tools, 7%
Utilized hand tools such as dead blow and ball peen hammers to ensure proper final fit and finish of fabricated parts.
- Amada, 5%
Operated stamping press before promoted to brake press operator (Amada) for sheet metal fabrication learned to read blueprints.
- Safety Procedures, 4%
Set up and operate production equipment in accordance with current good manufacturing best practices and standard operating and safety procedures.
Most press brake operators use their skills in "calipers," "tape measure," and "math" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential press brake operator responsibilities here:
Computer skills. The most essential soft skill for a press brake operator to carry out their responsibilities is computer skills. This skill is important for the role because "metal and plastic machine workers must be able to use programmable devices, computers, and robots on the factory floor." Additionally, a press brake operator resume shows how their duties depend on computer skills: "applied extensive use of mathematics and computer knowledge. "
Mechanical skills. This is an important skill for press brake operators to perform their duties. For an example of how press brake operator responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "these workers must be comfortable with machines and have a good understanding of how all the parts work." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of a press brake operator: "operated mechanical punch presses and brake presses built castor wheels for containers assisted operator on shear".
Physical strength. For certain press brake operator responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "physical strength." The day-to-day duties of a press brake operator rely on this skill, as "metal and plastic machine workers must be able to secure and tighten heavy fixtures into place." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what press brake operators do: "planned sequence of operations, applying knowledge of physical properties of metal. "
The three companies that hire the most press brake operators are:
- Aerotek28 press brake operators jobs
- Award Staffing
20 press brake operators jobs
- Express Employment Indy South15 press brake operators jobs
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Compare different press brake operators
Press brake operator vs. Welder-machine operator
A production operator is responsible for handling and monitoring manufacturing machines in a factory or similar establishment, ensuring that everything is running smoothly and according to schedule. Aside from assisting with the processing and packaging of goods, a production operator must also conduct necessary inspections to the machine or equipment that they are using to make sure that it is in good condition and is safe to use. Should there be any issues or concerns regarding safety, it is essential to notify a supervisor right away.
There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, press brake operator responsibilities require skills like "calipers," "math," "hand tools," and "amada." Meanwhile a typical welder-machine operator has skills in areas such as "safety equipment," "cnc," "tack," and "plasma arc." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.
Welder-machine operators really shine in the technology industry with an average salary of $54,740. Comparatively, press brake operators tend to make the most money in the finance industry with an average salary of $40,158.welder-machine operators tend to reach similar levels of education than press brake operators. In fact, welder-machine operators are 0.8% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.0% more likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Press brake operator vs. Machine set up operator
In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, press brake operator responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "hand tools," "safety procedures," "hydraulic press," and "cnc brake." Meanwhile, a machine set up operator has duties that require skills in areas such as "cnc machines," "micrometers," "cnc lathes," and "dexterity." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
On average, machine set up operators earn a lower salary than press brake operators. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, machine set up operators earn the most pay in the automotive industry with an average salary of $39,440. Whereas press brake operators have higher pay in the finance industry, with an average salary of $40,158.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Machine set up operators tend to reach similar levels of education than press brake operators. In fact, they're 0.5% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.0% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Press brake operator vs. Production operator
There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a press brake operator is likely to be skilled in "calipers," "tape measure," "amada," and "hydraulic press," while a typical production operator is skilled in "gmp," "safety rules," "production equipment," and "customer service."
Production operators make a very good living in the manufacturing industry with an average annual salary of $37,865. On the other hand, press brake operators are paid the highest salary in the finance industry, with average annual pay of $40,158.production operators typically earn similar educational levels compared to press brake operators. Specifically, they're 1.2% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.1% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Press brake operator vs. Technical machine operator
Even though a few skill sets overlap between press brake operators and technical machine operators, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a press brake operator might have more use for skills like "calipers," "tape measure," "hand tools," and "amada." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of technical machine operators require skills like "preventative maintenance," "safety regulations," "cnc," and "continuous improvement. "
Technical machine operators enjoy the best pay in the manufacturing industry, with an average salary of $35,834. For comparison, press brake operators earn the highest salary in the finance industry.The average resume of technical machine operators showed that they earn similar levels of education compared to press brake operators. So much so that theyacirc;euro;trade;re 0.7% more likely to earn a Master's Degree and more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree by 0.3%.Types of press brake operator
Updated January 8, 2025
