How much does a metal press operator make?
Answer: A typical metal press operator in the United States makes $46,330 a year (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
Line up 100 people; this is the one in the middle (median). about 171,000 people work in this job. About the same as the US-wide typical pay ($50,980).
If 100 people had this job
Lowest at bottom-left, highest at top-rightHover over a person to see their yearly pay
Metal press operator pay in the United States (May 2025, median and spread)
| Lower earner (10th from bottom) | Typical person (median) | Higher earner (10th from top) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|---|
| $35,760 | $46,330 | $65,510 | about 171,000 |
| State | Typical person (median) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Oregon | $53,680 | about 1,000 |
| Washington | $51,160 | about 2,000 |
| Colorado | $50,790 | about 1,000 |
| Minnesota | $49,770 | about 6,000 |
| Wisconsin | $49,270 | about 8,000 |
Why does pay differ?
In the United States, experienced operators and those skilled at machine setup or more complex jobs may earn more. Pay also varies by employer or industry, local area, and hours—night or weekend work and overtime can affect total pay. Extra training or credentials may help when employers value them.
What if you lived in a different state?
Pay varies a lot by state in the USTop 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
What does a metal press operator do?
Set up, operate, or tend machines to saw, cut, shear, slit, punch, crimp, notch, bend, or straighten metal or plastic material.
What's a typical day like?
They read a work order, load metal or plastic, set the machine, then watch it cut, punch, or bend pieces to size. They use gauges to adjust the machine, record its operation, and clean the work area.
How to get this job
In the US, a high school diploma or GED is usual; classes in math, computers, and vocational technology help. New operators usually learn on the job for about a year, and press-operator apprenticeships are another route.
High school plus some training (preparation level 2 of 5)
Good for people who like building and doing and keeping things organized.
Did you know?
Some power presses use two trigger buttons that must be operated together to start a stroke—a built-in safety feature on a machine that punches metal.
What about Japan?
Nearly the same jobThe US figure is the median and the Japan figure is the average, so it's not a perfect comparison. Prices differ too.
Similar jobs
Jobs using similar skills (O*NET)Earn more in the same field
Production jobs that pay a bit moreSources and data
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 (bls.gov); descriptions and related jobs from O*NET 31.0. Figures as of May 2025, full-time yearly pay (hourly × 2,080 hours). bls.gov/oes · O*NET OnLine
Pages used for the text
- www.bls.gov/ooh/Production/Metal-and-plastic-machine-workers.htm
- www.onetonline.org/link/details/51-4031.00
- www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2015/article/wage-differences.htm
- www.osha.gov/etools/machine-guarding/presses/two-hand-trips
Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY