Welder operator vs press operator

The differences between welder operators and press operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a welder operator, becoming a press operator takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a press operator has an average salary of $34,568, which is higher than the $31,669 average annual salary of a welder operator.

The top three skills for a welder operator include MIG, arc welding and hand tools. The most important skills for a press operator are quality standards, press machine, and quality checks.

Welder operator vs press operator overview

	Welder Operator	Press Operator
Yearly salary	$31,669	$34,568
Hourly rate	$15.23	$16.62
Growth rate	2%	-5%
Number of jobs	51,229	55,215
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 50%	High School Diploma, 51%
Average age	40	46
Years of experience	4	2

Welder operator vs press operator salary

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

	Welder Operator	Press Operator
Average salary	$31,669	$34,568
Salary range	Between $25,000 And $38,000	Between $27,000 And $42,000
Highest paying City	Chicopee, MA	Westfield, MA
Highest paying state	Wyoming	New Hampshire
Best paying company	Capco	ProAmpac
Best paying industry	Automotive	Automotive

Differences between welder operator and press operator education

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

	Welder Operator	Press Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 50%	High School Diploma, 51%
Most common major	Precision Metal Working	Business
Most common college	-	-

Welder operator vs press operator demographics

Here are the differences between welder operators' and press operators' demographics:

	Welder Operator	Press Operator
Average age	40	46
Gender ratio	Male, 85.6% Female, 14.4%	Male, 76.6% Female, 23.4%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 10.6% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 17.6% Asian, 2.8% White, 63.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.7%	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 welder operator and press operator duties and responsibilities

Welder operator example responsibilities.

Manage aluminum structural/pipe fabrication turnaround: cross-country CGIT/IPB megawatt electrical power conductors.
Weld carbon steel pipes using GTAW and SMAW.
Weld with (GMAW) on aluminum.
Maintain certifications in SMAW, GMAW, and GTAW.
Perform TIG and MIG welding processes on fabrications according to the blueprints specifications.
Weld heavy industrial clamps together using the MIG and TIG process on AR400 grade steel.

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.

Welder operator vs press operator skills

Common welder operator skills

MIG, 12%
Arc Welding, 9%
Hand Tools, 8%
Safety Equipment, 7%
Tig Welding, 6%
GMAW, 5%

Common press operator skills

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