Career comparison
Metal Fabricator vs. Press Operator
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Metal fabricators earn more at the median ($51,330 vs. $46,330), while press operators usually get to work faster (A few months on the job of training). Metal fabricators cut, shape and fit steel parts into frames, structures and machinery. Press operators run presses that cut, punch and bend metal and plastic parts.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Metal Fabricator | Press Operator | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $51,330 ($24.68/hr) | $46,330 ($22.27/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $37,960 – $72,280 | $35,760 – $65,510 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | -6.2% (a projected decline) | -10.5% (a projected decline) |
| Openings per year | 4,800 | 13,200 |
| Typical entry education | High school diploma or equivalent | High school diploma or equivalent |
| Training time | Several months on the job | A few months on the job |
| Key credential | AWS welding certification | NIMS certification |
| Work setting | Fabricators work in fab shops and plants.. | Operators work in stamping plants and fab shops.. |
What each job does
Metal Fabricator
- Read blueprints
- Lay out parts
- Cut steel
- Bend and form metal
- Fit and align parts
Press Operator
- Set up dies
- Load material
- Run presses
- Bend parts
- Measure parts
How they’re similar
Both careers involve hands-on work and indoor work. Both are part of the mechanics, maintenance & manufacturing field, so many skills transfer between them.
Which should you choose?
Choose metal fabricator if…
- I like building with metal
- I read drawings well
- I like precision
Choose press operator if…
- I like machines
- I’m careful
- I like measuring
Still torn? Take the Metal Fabricator fit quiz and the Press Operator fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, metal fabricator or press operator?
Metal Fabricators earn more at the median: $51,330 versus $46,330 for press operators, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Press Operators typically train faster (A few months on the job) than metal fabricators (Several months on the job).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects metal fabricators to grow -6.2% from 2025–35, compared with -10.5% for press operators.