Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
The differences between press operators and assistant 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 operator and an assistant operator. Additionally, an assistant operator has an average salary of $37,607, which is higher than the $34,568 average annual salary of a press operator.
The top three skills for a press operator include quality standards, press machine and quality checks. The most important skills for an assistant operator are customer service, ladders, and safety procedures.
| Press Operator | Assistant Operator | |
| Yearly salary | $34,568 | $37,607 |
| Hourly rate | $16.62 | $18.08 |
| Growth rate | -5% | -8% |
| Number of jobs | 55,215 | 88,093 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 51% | Bachelor's Degree, 38% |
| Average age | 46 | 50 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
A press operator is responsible for the maintenance of printing machines and other equipment to ensure smooth operations while meeting the clients' needs with the highest quality standards. Press operators duties' include performing troubleshooting, replacing defective machine components, upgrading the systems for efficiency, analyzing blueprints and instructional guides, determining product suitability, and inspecting irregularities before and after the use of press machines. Press operators must have a comprehensive knowledge of the mechanical industry and the ability to work under pressure and strict deadlines.
The duties of an assistant operator depend on one's industry of employment or the kind of machine that they are operating. Typically, their tasks may revolve around coordinating with operators and other staff, handling and managing documents, understanding blueprints, and adhering to the directives of operators and supervisors. Furthermore, as an assistant operator, it is essential to perform support tasks, such as preparing tools and conducting regular maintenance checks to ensure the efficiency of machines and maintain a safe work environment.
Press operators and assistant operators have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Press Operator | Assistant Operator | |
| Average salary | $34,568 | $37,607 |
| Salary range | Between $27,000 And $42,000 | Between $28,000 And $50,000 |
| Highest paying City | Westfield, MA | San Jose, CA |
| Highest paying state | New Hampshire | Connecticut |
| Best paying company | ProAmpac | Massachusetts General Hospital |
| Best paying industry | Automotive | Energy |
There are a few differences between a press operator and an assistant operator in terms of educational background:
| Press Operator | Assistant Operator | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 51% | Bachelor's Degree, 38% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | Western Carolina University |
Here are the differences between press operators' and assistant operators' demographics:
| Press Operator | Assistant Operator | |
| Average age | 46 | 50 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 76.6% Female, 23.4% | Male, 76.8% Female, 23.2% |
| 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, 9.2% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 16.1% Asian, 3.8% White, 66.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% |
| LGBT Percentage | 3% | 6% |