Water jet operator vs press operator

The differences between water jet operators and press operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 6-12 months to become a water jet operator, becoming a press operator takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a water jet operator has an average salary of $35,007, which is higher than the $34,568 average annual salary of a press operator.

The top three skills for a water jet operator include cnc machines, calipers and hand tools. The most important skills for a press operator are quality standards, press machine, and quality checks.

Water jet operator vs press operator overview

	Water Jet Operator	Press Operator
Yearly salary	$35,007	$34,568
Hourly rate	$16.83	$16.62
Growth rate	-7%	-5%
Number of jobs	53,663	55,215
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 44%	High School Diploma, 51%
Average age	47	46
Years of experience	12	2

Water jet operator vs press operator salary

Water jet operators and press operators have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Water Jet Operator	Press Operator
Average salary	$35,007	$34,568
Salary range	Between $28,000 And $43,000	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 water jet operator and press operator education

There are a few differences between a water jet operator and a press operator in terms of educational background:

	Water Jet Operator	Press Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 44%	High School Diploma, 51%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	Duke University	-

Water jet operator vs press operator demographics

Here are the differences between water jet operators' and press operators' demographics:

	Water Jet Operator	Press Operator
Average age	47	46
Gender ratio	Male, 91.2% Female, 8.8%	Male, 76.6% Female, 23.4%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 7.7% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 12.5% Asian, 1.8% White, 71.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.3%	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	5%	3%

Differences between water jet operator and press operator duties and responsibilities

Water jet operator example responsibilities.

Used Omax machine to cut parts to fill orders, handle material, certify as a forklift operator.
Update and sign-off on job tickets at the conclusion of each job.Skills UsedDirect mail experience or knowledge of USPS regulations.
Perform preventative maintenance and troubleshooting of Omax machine.
Operate heavy machinery such as bobcat equipment and also operate and pave asphalt perform demolition work.
Dye setting and machine set up.

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.

Water jet operator vs press operator skills

Common water jet operator skills

CNC Machines, 17%
Calipers, 15%
Hand Tools, 15%
Tape Measure, 11%
Cranes, 11%
General Maintenance, 6%

Common press operator skills

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