How to hire a punch press operator

How to hire a punch press operator, step by step

Here's a step-by-step punch press operator hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a punch press operator job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new punch press operator
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you post your punch press operator job, you should take the time to determine what type of worker your business needs. While certain jobs definitely require a full-time employee, it's sometimes better to find a punch press operator for hire on a part-time basis or as a contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   Hiring the perfect punch press operator also involves considering the ideal background you'd like them to have. Depending on what industry or field they have experience in, they'll bring different skills to the job. It's also important to consider what levels of seniority and education the job requires and what kind of salary such a candidate would likely demand.

   Here's a comparison of punch press operator salaries for various roles:

   Type of Punch Press Operator	Description	Hourly rate
   Punch Press Operator	Metal and plastic machine workers set up and operate machines that cut, shape, and form metal and plastic materials or pieces.	$13-23
   Saw Operator	Saw operators are responsible for setting up and operating power saws to slot, cut, and trim metallic and non-metallic materials. They are the ones who choose and install blades on machinery using hand-tools and verify dimensions of finished material using measuring devices... Show more	$12-18
   Set-Up Operator	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.	$13-25

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Calipers
   • Turret Punch Press
   • Micrometers
   • Math
   • Punch Press Machine
   • Machine Operation
   • Production Schedules
   • Quality Checks
   • Press Brake
   • Adjusts Machine
   • CNC Punch
   • Quality Products
   • Tape Measure
   • Observes Operation

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Calculate dimensions or tolerances, using instruments such as micrometers or veneer calipers.
   • Die room equipment Gerber profile 408 cnc router table.
   • Set up and run all aspects of the stamping process
   • Possess the ability to effectively utilize advance shop math and computer skills.
   • Operate forklifts, pallet jacks and hoists to move stock and product.
   • Grind out burrs and sharp edges, using portable grinders, speed lathes, and polishing jacks.

   More punch press operator duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in the punch press operator job description is a good way to get more applicants. A punch press operator salary can be affected by several factors, such as the location of the job, the level of experience, education, certifications, and the employer's prestige.

   For example, the average salary for a punch press operator in Oklahoma may be lower than in Minnesota, and an entry-level engineer typically earns less than a senior-level punch press operator. Additionally, a punch press operator with lots of experience in the field may command a higher salary as a result.

   Average punch press operator salary

   $37,977yearly

   $18.26 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level punch press operator salary

   $29,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 14, 2025

   Average punch press operator salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	Minnesota	$45,666	$22
   2	Connecticut	$43,681	$21
   3	Colorado	$42,804	$21
   4	Oregon	$41,501	$20
   5	Wisconsin	$40,713	$20
   6	Illinois	$39,578	$19
   7	New York	$39,563	$19
   8	Michigan	$39,485	$19
   9	California	$38,764	$19
   10	Ohio	$38,198	$18
   11	Florida	$33,034	$16
   12	Texas	$31,430	$15

   Average punch press operator salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Fortune Brands Home & Security	$49,252	$23.68	2
   2	Toro	$48,653	$23.39	2
   3	IDEX	$46,729	$22.47	4
   4	Precision Castparts	$44,893	$21.58	44
   5	GPAC	$43,601	$20.96
   6	SPIROL	$43,440	$20.88	2
   7	Regal Beloit	$42,543	$20.45	2
   8	Orion Lighting	$42,293	$20.33
   9	Master Lock	$42,021	$20.20
   10	Tempel	$41,580	$19.99	2
   11	Webster Industries	$41,134	$19.78
   12	Broan	$40,528	$19.48	2
   13	WestRock	$40,365	$19.41	39
   14	Randall Mechanical	$39,714	$19.09
   15	Hubbell	$39,547	$19.01	21
   16	Monster Products	$39,490	$18.99	4
   17	ASSA ABLOY Door Security Solutions - US	$39,461	$18.97	7
   18	Allentown	$39,060	$18.78	1
   19	QPS	$38,952	$18.73
   20	Spectrum Brands	$38,931	$18.72

4. Writing a punch press operator job description

   A punch press operator job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. To help get you started, here's an example of a punch press operator job description:

   Punch press operator job description example

   Looking for first shift only? Would you like to start your weekends off at noon on Friday's? Give us a call today for further information on this opening!
   
   Punch Press Operator configures and operates electrically powered presses to cut, shape, and form metal, plastic, or other materials used in manufacturing operations. Performs operations such as blanking, bending, punching, and forming based on blueprints and other instructions. Being a Punch Press Operator responsibilities include configuring equipment and calibrating gauge settings, recognizing condition of dies, loading materials onto the equipment, feeding material through die, and positioning and removing parts from the die. Keeps a record of operational data and performs routine equipment maintenance. Additionally, Punch Press Operator monitors work schedule to ascertain production information, such as size, type, and quantity to be processed. Requires a high school diploma or its equivalent. Typically reports to a supervisor/manager. The Punch Press Operator gains or has attained full proficiency in a specific area of discipline. Works under moderate supervision.
   JIT Staffing/Medina is looking for a Punch Press Operator for a temp to hire position in Berea Ohio!
   Responsibilities:
   
   Keep work area clean at all times following 5S methods;
   Performs required preventative maintenance procedures on assigned presses within specified time frames;
   Dimensionally and visually inspects parts produced to ensure meets customer requirements;
   Lubricates parts in accordance with work instructions;
   Reads routers, blueprints, and sketches of part to determine dimensional specifications and operating requirements;
   Assist machine operators in lifting/placing raw/finished material onto pallets;
   Operating other warehouse equipment as required;
   Operating a punch press machine;
   Cutting raw materials down to size;
   Measuring raw materials and finished product;
   Maintain a clean and safe work area;
   Sanding, grinding, deburring using hand/power tools;
   Move items/parts through the shop using a pallet jack;
   Counting and sorting finished product;
   Completing quality checks upon completion of product.
   
   Requirements:
   
   1+ years of previous production/machine operation experience preferred
   Dependable
   Must be able to work with a team and independently.
   High attention to detail.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are various strategies that you can use to find the right punch press operator for your business:

   • Consider promoting from within or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to find candidates who meet your education requirements.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your punch press operator job on Zippia to find and recruit punch press operator candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   During your first interview to recruit punch press operators, engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. During the following interview, you'll be able to go into more detail about the company, the position, and the responsibilities.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents. You can move on to the technical interview if a candidate is good enough for the next step.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new punch press operator

   Once you've found the punch press operator candidate you'd like to hire, it's time to write an offer letter. This should include an explicit job offer that includes the salary and the details of any other perks. Qualified candidates might be looking at multiple positions, so your offer must be competitive if you like the candidate. Also, be prepared for a negotiation stage, as candidates may way want to tweak the details of your initial offer. Once you've settled on these details, you can draft a contract to formalize your agreement.

   It's also good etiquette to follow up with applicants who don't get the job by sending them an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   After that, you can create an onboarding schedule for a new punch press operator. Human Resources and the hiring manager should complete Employee Action Forms. Human Resources should also ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc., and that new employee files are created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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