Shearing machine operator vs press brake operator

The differences between shearing machine operators and press brake 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 shearing machine operator and a press brake operator. Additionally, a press brake operator has an average salary of $36,359, which is higher than the $30,810 average annual salary of a shearing machine operator.

The top three skills for a shearing machine operator include shear machine, brake press and calipers. The most important skills for a press brake operator are calipers, tape measure, and math.

Shearing machine operator vs press brake operator overview

	Shearing Machine Operator	Press Brake Operator
Yearly salary	$30,810	$36,359
Hourly rate	$14.81	$17.48
Growth rate	-5%	-5%
Number of jobs	53,915	57,264
Job satisfaction	-	5
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 46%	High School Diploma, 51%
Average age	46	46
Years of experience	2	2

Shearing machine operator vs press brake operator salary

Shearing machine operators and press brake operators have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Shearing Machine Operator	Press Brake Operator
Average salary	$30,810	$36,359
Salary range	Between $24,000 And $38,000	Between $29,000 And $45,000
Highest paying City	-	Hartford, CT
Highest paying state	-	Rhode Island
Best paying company	-	Johnson Controls
Best paying industry	-	Finance

Differences between shearing machine operator and press brake operator education

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

	Shearing Machine Operator	Press Brake Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 46%	High School Diploma, 51%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Shearing machine operator vs press brake operator demographics

Here are the differences between shearing machine operators' and press brake operators' demographics:

	Shearing Machine Operator	Press Brake Operator
Average age	46	46
Gender ratio	Male, 98.8% Female, 1.2%	Male, 91.1% Female, 8.9%
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, 7.9% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 13.4% Asian, 1.7% White, 71.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage	3%	3%

Differences between shearing machine operator and press brake operator duties and responsibilities

Shearing machine operator example responsibilities.

Change equipment over to new product.
Use hand or power tools and use precision measuring tools and equipment.
Load or unload material or work piece into machinery; maintain or repair industrial or relate.
Set up operations and measurement of material and machinery
Record statistics on ISO documentation, and coordinate with machine technicians and electrical technicians to keep machines operating at maximum efficiency.
Move completed product via forklift to warehouse.

Press brake operator example responsibilities.

Set up machines and troubleshoot.
Set up and run a turret punch
Maintain and ensure proper use of PPE.
Promote from tool operator to dye shop.
Hold tight tolerances and always use your PPE.
Used math skills to produce parts to a specific dimension.

Shearing machine operator vs press brake operator skills

Common shearing machine operator skills

Shear Machine, 24%
Brake Press, 18%
Calipers, 16%
CNC, 15%
Trim Knives, 10%
Blueprint Specifications, 7%

Common press brake operator skills

Calipers, 12%
Tape Measure, 9%
Math, 8%
Hand Tools, 7%
Amada, 5%
Safety Procedures, 4%

Shearing Machine Operator vs. similar jobs

Shearing Machine Operator related careers

Shearing Machine Operator related jobs

What similar roles do

Zippia Careers
Production and Manufacturing Industry
Shearing Machine Operator
Shearing Machine Operator vs Press Brake Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

Browse production and manufacturing jobs