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The differences between press operators and 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 operator, becoming an operator takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, an operator has an average salary of $37,928, 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 operator are safety procedures, CDL, and emergency calls.
| Press Operator | Operator | |
| Yearly salary | $34,568 | $37,928 |
| Hourly rate | $16.62 | $18.23 |
| Growth rate | -5% | 7% |
| Number of jobs | 55,215 | 159,077 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 51% | High School Diploma, 40% |
| Average age | 46 | 43 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 4 |
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.
Operators are skilled workers who are in charge of working on an industrial machine or a specific aspect of the manufacturing business. They are trained to operate machines, learning how to use them. They are also responsible for the maintenance and repair of the machine, and they should be able to troubleshoot problems and provide remedies to them. They must be knowledgeable about the different parts of the machine and how to mitigate any challenges that may arise. Operators should be alert, detail-oriented, and familiar with safety and health guidelines.
Press operators and operators have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Press Operator | Operator | |
| Average salary | $34,568 | $37,928 |
| Salary range | Between $27,000 And $42,000 | Between $27,000 And $53,000 |
| Highest paying City | Westfield, MA | San Jose, CA |
| Highest paying state | New Hampshire | North Dakota |
| Best paying company | ProAmpac | Microsoft |
| Best paying industry | Automotive | Technology |
There are a few differences between a press operator and an operator in terms of educational background:
| Press Operator | Operator | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 51% | High School Diploma, 40% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between press operators' and operators' demographics:
| Press Operator | Operator | |
| Average age | 46 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 76.6% Female, 23.4% | Male, 73.0% Female, 27.0% |
| 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, 16.2% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 18.6% Asian, 2.5% White, 57.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 3% | 4% |