Press operator vs welder-machine operator

The differences between press operators and welder-machine 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 a welder-machine operator takes usually requires 3-6 months. Additionally, a welder-machine operator has an average salary of $37,171, 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 welder-machine operator are arc welding, safety equipment, and stainless steel.

Press operator vs welder-machine operator overview

	Press Operator	Welder-Machine Operator
Yearly salary	$34,568	$37,171
Hourly rate	$16.62	$17.87
Growth rate	-5%	-5%
Number of jobs	55,215	68,316
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 51%	High School Diploma, 53%
Average age	46	40
Years of experience	2	6

Press operator vs welder-machine operator salary

Press operators and welder-machine operators have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Press Operator	Welder-Machine Operator
Average salary	$34,568	$37,171
Salary range	Between $27,000 And $42,000	Between $27,000 And $49,000
Highest paying City	Westfield, MA	Fontana, CA
Highest paying state	New Hampshire	Nevada
Best paying company	ProAmpac	BWX Technologies
Best paying industry	Automotive	Technology

Differences between press operator and welder-machine operator education

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

	Press Operator	Welder-Machine Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 51%	High School Diploma, 53%
Most common major	Business	Precision Metal Working
Most common college	-	Dunwoody College of Technology

Press operator vs welder-machine operator demographics

Here are the differences between press operators' and welder-machine operators' demographics:

	Press Operator	Welder-Machine Operator
Average age	46	40
Gender ratio	Male, 76.6% Female, 23.4%	Male, 84.6% Female, 15.4%
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, 11.0% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 17.5% Asian, 2.7% White, 63.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.6%
LGBT Percentage	3%	3%

Differences between press operator and welder-machine 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.

Welder-machine operator example responsibilities.

Weld required parts using GMAW, GTAW, and SMAW.
Require to weld a wide veriety of assemblies, fabricate parts and maintain equipment and fixtures employing GMAW and GTAW techniques.
Operate the welding robots and do rework with the MIG welder.
Weld both steel and aluminum pressure tanks for both train and truck air brake systems.
Dismantle metal assemblies and cut scrap metal, using thermal-cutting equipment such as flame-cutting torches or plasma-arc equipment.
Position, align, fit, and weld together parts, using jigs, welding torch, and hand tools.

Press operator vs welder-machine 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 welder-machine operator skills

Arc Welding, 7%
Safety Equipment, 7%
Stainless Steel, 6%
CNC, 6%
Tig Welding, 5%
Tape Measure, 5%

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Production and Manufacturing Industry
Press Operator
Press Operator vs Welder-Machine Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

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