Press machine operator vs machine set up operator

The differences between press machine operators and machine 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 machine operator and a machine set up operator. Additionally, a press machine operator has an average salary of $37,759, which is higher than the $35,823 average annual salary of a machine set up operator.

The top three skills for a press machine operator include CNC, punch press machine and quality checks. The most important skills for a machine set up operator are cnc machines, calipers, and micrometers.

Press machine operator vs machine set up operator overview

	Press Machine Operator	Machine Set Up Operator
Yearly salary	$37,759	$35,823
Hourly rate	$18.15	$17.22
Growth rate	-5%	-8%
Number of jobs	84,779	61,986
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 52%	High School Diploma, 49%
Average age	46	43
Years of experience	2	2

Press machine operator vs machine set up operator salary

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

	Press Machine Operator	Machine Set Up Operator
Average salary	$37,759	$35,823
Salary range	Between $30,000 And $46,000	Between $28,000 And $45,000
Highest paying City	Minneapolis, MN	Holyoke, MA
Highest paying state	New Hampshire	California
Best paying company	Johnson Controls	ABB
Best paying industry	Finance	Automotive

Differences between press machine operator and machine set up operator education

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

	Press Machine Operator	Machine Set Up Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 52%	High School Diploma, 49%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Press machine operator vs machine set up operator demographics

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

	Press Machine Operator	Machine Set Up Operator
Average age	46	43
Gender ratio	Male, 78.5% Female, 21.5%	Male, 86.5% Female, 13.5%
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, 4.8% Unknown, 5.4% Hispanic or Latino, 14.6% Asian, 6.0% White, 68.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%
LGBT Percentage	3%	6%

Differences between press machine operator and machine set up operator duties and responsibilities

Press machine operator example responsibilities.

Perform necassary quality checks using caliper, micrometers, and optical comparators to insure product meets specifics of blueprints.
Order new material predict troubles and delays for production schedules check out final product to ensure that it meet ISO standards
Stamp press operator, QC and SPC gauge parts, and assembly
Load supplies into machines either by hand or using hoists, replace molds and cutting surfaces.
Verify conformance to specifications, using calipers.
Record statistics on ISO documentation, and coordinate with machine technicians and electrical technicians to keep machines operating at maximum efficiency.

Machine set up operator example responsibilities.

Perform trial runs on new CNC programs, working with programming and tooling to achieve satisfactory parts.
Used micrometers and calipers to determine require tolerances.
Follow ISO and QS standard operating procedures.
Panel control, fanuc control, & dynapath.
Run machines after setup, inspect parts run.
Work on CNC OKUMA machines, horizontals and verticals.

Press machine operator vs machine set up operator skills

Common press machine operator skills

CNC, 11%
Punch Press Machine, 11%
Quality Checks, 9%
Safety Guidelines, 8%
Brake Press, 7%
Product Quality, 6%

Common machine set up operator skills

CNC Machines, 13%
Calipers, 10%
Micrometers, 9%
CNC Lathes, 6%
Quality Checks, 5%
Math, 5%

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Production and Manufacturing Industry
Press Machine Operator
Press Machine Operator vs Machine Set Up Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

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