Shearing machine operator vs sheet metal mechanic

The differences between shearing machine operators and sheet metal mechanics can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a sheet metal mechanic has an average salary of $42,882, 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 sheet metal mechanic are hand tools, brazing, and HVAC.

Shearing machine operator vs sheet metal mechanic overview

	Shearing Machine Operator	Sheet Metal Mechanic
Yearly salary	$30,810	$42,882
Hourly rate	$14.81	$20.62
Growth rate	-5%	-1%
Number of jobs	53,915	35,242
Job satisfaction	-	5
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 46%	High School Diploma, 46%
Average age	46	45
Years of experience	2	-

Shearing machine operator vs sheet metal mechanic salary

Shearing machine operators and sheet metal mechanics have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Shearing Machine Operator	Sheet Metal Mechanic
Average salary	$30,810	$42,882
Salary range	Between $24,000 And $38,000	Between $30,000 And $59,000
Highest paying City	-	Seattle, WA
Highest paying state	-	Washington
Best paying company	-	Constellation Energy Partners
Best paying industry	-	Transportation

Differences between shearing machine operator and sheet metal mechanic education

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

	Shearing Machine Operator	Sheet Metal Mechanic
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 46%	High School Diploma, 46%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Shearing machine operator vs sheet metal mechanic demographics

Here are the differences between shearing machine operators' and sheet metal mechanics' demographics:

	Shearing Machine Operator	Sheet Metal Mechanic
Average age	46	45
Gender ratio	Male, 98.8% Female, 1.2%	Male, 92.5% Female, 7.5%
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, 8.1% Unknown, 3.3% Hispanic or Latino, 18.4% Asian, 2.5% White, 66.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage	3%	4%

Differences between shearing machine operator and sheet metal mechanic 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.

Sheet metal mechanic example responsibilities.

Adhere to OSHA regulations by inspection and documenting safety harnesses and PPE.
Solder copper lines to set condensing, package and air handler units with oxygen and acetylene torches.
Perform installation and assembly of air duct systems with use of hand and power tools, ladders, and lifts.
Locate establish reference lines or points and perform sheet metal assembly work without aid of jigs, fixtures, or other tooling
Green handle and red handle snips )
Build and hang Tdc and duct mate duct.

Shearing machine operator vs sheet metal mechanic skills

Common shearing machine operator skills

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

Common sheet metal mechanic skills

Hand Tools, 18%
Brazing, 8%
HVAC, 7%
Ladders, 7%
Air Handlers, 5%
Aluminum, 4%

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Shearing Machine Operator
Shearing Machine Operator vs Sheet Metal Mechanic

Updated January 8, 2025

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