Press operator vs set-up operator

The differences between press operators and 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 operator and a set-up operator. Additionally, a set-up operator has an average salary of $39,269, 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 a set-up operator are calipers, cnc machines, and hand tools.

Press operator vs set-up operator overview

	Press Operator	Set-Up Operator
Yearly salary	$34,568	$39,269
Hourly rate	$16.62	$18.88
Growth rate	-5%	-8%
Number of jobs	55,215	55,670
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 51%	High School Diploma, 44%
Average age	46	43
Years of experience	2	2

What does a press operator do?

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.

What does a set-up operator do?

A machine set-up operator operates machinery such as grinders, bores, and mills. They prepare machines to be used by organizing tools, setting valve directions, sharpening tools as needed, positioning tools, and conducting regular maintenance.

Press operator vs set-up operator salary

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

	Press Operator	Set-Up Operator
Average salary	$34,568	$39,269
Salary range	Between $27,000 And $42,000	Between $28,000 And $53,000
Highest paying City	Westfield, MA	Rochester, NY
Highest paying state	New Hampshire	New York
Best paying company	ProAmpac	Schneider Electric Industrial Services
Best paying industry	Automotive	Automotive

Differences between press operator and set-up operator education

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

	Press Operator	Set-Up Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 51%	High School Diploma, 44%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Press operator vs set-up operator demographics

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

	Press Operator	Set-Up Operator
Average age	46	43
Gender ratio	Male, 76.6% Female, 23.4%	Male, 85.6% Female, 14.4%
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, 4.9% Unknown, 5.4% Hispanic or Latino, 14.8% Asian, 6.0% White, 68.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%
LGBT Percentage	3%	6%

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

Press operator example responsibilities.

Work on the assembly line making tire covers for Honda and Toyota.
Maintain SPC records using a bore gauge and calipers.
Ensure quality of parts produce per ISO-9000 standards through the use of calipers, micrometers, and several custom-made gauges.
Maintain strict quality requirements using scales, calipers and micrometers.
Adjust colors to become PMS accurate, with gradations.
Assist fab with mig welding.

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Set-up operator example responsibilities.

Manage daily scheduling of production workload to be setup and run on machinery.
Use and replacement of drills, taps, broaches, and reamers.
Manufacture parts according to blueprints, work with stainless steel aluminum, brass and plastics.
Machine parts to specifications, using machine tools, such as lathes, milling machines, or grinders.
Use of exact measuring instruments as CMM, optical comparators, mics, bore gauges and many other tools.
Produce parts from different materials such as cold roll steel, stainless steel, no lead brass and regular brass.

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Press operator vs set-up operator skills

Common press operator skills

Quality Standards, 12%
Press Machine, 9%
Quality Checks, 8%
Preventative Maintenance, 8%
Safety Guidelines, 5%
Digital Press, 4%

Common set-up operator skills

Calipers, 9%
CNC Machines, 7%
Hand Tools, 7%
Math, 6%
Quality Checks, 6%
Preventative Maintenance, 6%

Press Operator vs. similar jobs

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Updated January 8, 2025

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