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What does a punch press operator do?

Updated January 8, 2025
6 min read
What does a punch press operator do
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Punch press operator responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real punch press operator resumes:

  • 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.
  • Used a variety of hand drills, hand taps and other devices, to parts that are near completion.
  • Place work pieces material into machines or onto cutting tables, manually or using hoists, cranes, or sledges.
  • Learned how to use different kinds of sanders, grinders, sorters used these tools to help smooth all sharp edges.
  • Machine operators and tenders monitor the machinery during operation.
  • Assist in production and stamping for Matsu AL (Honda parts )
  • Shape metal material over anvils, blocks, or other forms, using hand tools.
  • Press operator on misc multicolore Heidelberg and Komori presses

Punch press operator skills and personality traits

We calculated that 14% of Punch Press Operators are proficient in Calipers, Turret Punch Press, and Micrometers. They’re also known for soft skills such as Computer skills, Dexterity, and Mechanical skills.

We break down the percentage of Punch Press Operators that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • Calipers, 14%

    Manufactured the parts while reading and checking with calipers then checked to verify quality of parts with quality control dept.

  • Turret Punch Press, 10%

    Assisted in shearing sheet metal; Set up, run and inspect parts for CNC turret punch press.

  • Micrometers, 8%

    Maintained strict quality requirements using scales, calipers and micrometers.

  • Math, 7%

    Team leader/Press brake operator /Tool and Die maintenance stamping press form parts reading blue prints and using BASIC math skills.

  • Punch Press Machine, 6%

    Performed many duties such as the setup of high-speed punch press machinery to start and complete work orders assigned by supervisors.

  • Machine Operation, 5%

    Monitor machine operation during production and report faults to supervisor.

Common skills that a punch press operator uses to do their job include "calipers," "turret punch press," and "micrometers." You can find details on the most important punch press operator responsibilities below.

Computer skills. The most essential soft skill for a punch press operator to carry out their responsibilities is computer skills. This skill is important for the role because "metal and plastic machine workers must be able to use programmable devices, computers, and robots on the factory floor." Additionally, a punch press operator resume shows how their duties depend on computer skills: "possess the ability to effectively utilize advanced shop math and computer skills. "

Mechanical skills. punch press operators are also known for mechanical skills, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to punch press operator responsibilities, because "these workers must be comfortable with machines and have a good understanding of how all the parts work." A punch press operator resume example shows how mechanical skills is used in the workplace: "learned the job quickly, and produced quality product.skills usedreading blueprints, calipers, and mechanical inclination. "

Physical strength. punch press operator responsibilities often require "physical strength." The duties that rely on this skill are shown by the fact that "metal and plastic machine workers must be able to secure and tighten heavy fixtures into place." This resume example shows what punch press operators do with physical strength on a typical day: "performed quality checks to verify weight, strength and durability of the finished goods. "

See the full list of punch press operator skills

The three companies that hire the most punch press operators are:

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Compare different punch press operators

Punch press operator vs. Machine operator/machinist

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. They may perform additional tasks such as loading saws and monitoring sawing operations, and replacing damaged or worn saw blades. Saw operators are also responsible for recording data on production reports and assisting staff with the maintenance and repair of saw equipment.

If we compare the average punch press operator annual salary with that of a machine operator/machinist, we find that machine operators/machinist typically earn a $1,706 lower salary than punch press operators make annually.While the two careers have a salary gap, they share some of the same responsibilities. Employees in both punch press operator and machine operator/machinist positions are skilled in calipers, micrometers, and math.

There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, punch press operator responsibilities require skills like "turret punch press," "punch press machine," "production schedules," and "press brake." Meanwhile a typical machine operator/machinist has skills in areas such as "cnc lathes," "grinders," "cnc machines," and "safety procedures." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.

Machine operators/machinist tend to reach similar levels of education than punch press operators. In fact, machine operators/machinist are 1.3% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.1% less likely to have a Doctoral Degree.

Punch press operator vs. Slitter operator

Slitter operator positions earn lower pay than punch press operator roles. They earn a $3,789 lower salary than punch press operators per year.While the salary may differ for these jobs, they share a few skills needed to perform their duties. Based on resume data, both punch press operators and slitter operators have skills such as "calipers," "math," and "machine operation. "

While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that punch press operator responsibilities requires skills like "turret punch press," "micrometers," "punch press machine," and "press brake." But a slitter operator might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "basic math," "safety rules," "slitter machine," and "safety procedures."

On average, slitter operators earn a lower salary than punch press operators. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, slitter operators earn the most pay in the transportation industry with an average salary of $35,235. Whereas punch press operators have higher pay in the manufacturing industry, with an average salary of $43,262.slitter operators earn similar levels of education than punch press operators in general. They're 0.5% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.1% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Punch press operator vs. Welder-machine operator

On average, welder-machine operators earn lower salaries than punch press operators, with a $806 difference per year.By looking over several punch press operators and welder-machine operators resumes, we found that both roles require similar skills in their day-to-day duties, such as "machine operation," "production schedules," and "quality checks." But beyond that, the careers look very different.

Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from punch press operator resumes include skills like "calipers," "turret punch press," "micrometers," and "math," whereas a welder-machine operator is more likely to list skills in "arc welding," "safety equipment," "cnc," and "tig welding. "

Welder-machine operators earn the highest salary when working in the technology industry, where they receive an average salary of $54,740. Comparatively, punch press operators have the highest earning potential in the manufacturing industry, with an average salary of $43,262.welder-machine operators typically earn similar educational levels compared to punch press operators. Specifically, they're 0.8% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.0% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Punch press operator vs. Saw operator

Saw operators average a lower salary than the annual salary of punch press operators. The difference is about $5,658 per year.According to resumes from punch press operators and saw operators, some of the skills necessary to complete the responsibilities of each role are similar. These skills include "math," "machine operation," and "production schedules. "While some skills are required in each professionacirc;euro;trade;s responsibilities, there are some differences to note. "calipers," "turret punch press," "micrometers," and "punch press machine" are skills that commonly show up on punch press operator resumes. On the other hand, saw operators use skills like hand tools, basic math, aluminum, and safety procedures on their resumes.saw operators enjoy the best pay in the construction industry, with an average salary of $36,227. For comparison, punch press operators earn the highest salary in the manufacturing industry.saw operators reach similar levels of education compared to punch press operators, in general. The difference is that they're 0.1% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.1% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Types of punch press operator

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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