Shearing machine operator vs press operator

The differences between shearing machine operators and press 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 operator. Additionally, a press operator has an average salary of $34,568, 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 operator are quality standards, press machine, and quality checks.

Shearing machine operator vs press operator overview

	Shearing Machine Operator	Press Operator
Yearly salary	$30,810	$34,568
Hourly rate	$14.81	$16.62
Growth rate	-5%	-5%
Number of jobs	53,915	55,215
Job satisfaction	-	-
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 operator salary

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

	Shearing Machine Operator	Press Operator
Average salary	$30,810	$34,568
Salary range	Between $24,000 And $38,000	Between $27,000 And $42,000
Highest paying City	-	Westfield, MA
Highest paying state	-	New Hampshire
Best paying company	-	ProAmpac
Best paying industry	-	Automotive

Differences between shearing machine operator and press operator education

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

	Shearing Machine Operator	Press 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 operator demographics

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

	Shearing Machine Operator	Press Operator
Average age	46	46
Gender ratio	Male, 98.8% Female, 1.2%	Male, 76.6% Female, 23.4%
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, 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 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 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.

Shearing machine operator vs press 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 operator skills

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

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Production and Manufacturing Industry
Shearing Machine Operator
Shearing Machine Operator vs Press Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

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