punch press operator
Punch press operators set up and tend punch presses designed to cut workpieces into their desired shape by propelling a hydraulic ram to punch holes into them with a single die set that pushes through the top dead centre, through the surface, and to the bottom dead centre of the workpiece.
punch press operator punch press operators set up and tend punch presses designed to cut workpieces into their desired shape by propelling a hydraulic ram to punch holes into them with a single die set that pushes through the top dead centre, through the surface, and to the bottom. The role shows moderate AI exposure (0.50 on a 0-1 scale) — some tasks are being automated but the role adapts. The most in-demand skills for the role include statistical process control, manufacturing processes, quality standards, supply machine with appropriate tools, remove inadequate workpieces.
Pay in the UK
UK: median £31,500 a year for Metal working machine operatives (ONS ASHE 2025, full-time)
Middle half of full-time jobs: £27,304 to £39,688 a year
UK jobs are grouped differently; this is the closest UK occupation group (ONS SOC 2020 8120). ONS rates this estimate reasonably precise. 2025 provisional figures; ONS revises them a year later. Source: ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (Open Government Licence)
Pay in India (occupation group)
Average monthly earnings of salaried employees in the occupation group “Craft and related trades workers” in India, from the Government of India's Periodic Labour Force Survey (January–December 2025). It covers everyone in this group, not only punch press operator, and it is not US pay converted to rupees.
Source: MoSPI (Government of India), Periodic Labour Force Survey Annual Report 2025, Table 51 — average wage/salary earnings of regular wage/salaried employees, NCO-2015 division 7. Official India data gives one average per occupation group: there are no official India figures for single careers, experience levels or cities. Read the report
Top skills
Frequently asked questions
What does punch press operator do?
Punch press operators set up and tend punch presses designed to cut workpieces into their desired shape by propelling a hydraulic ram to punch holes into them with a single die set that pushes through the top dead centre, through the surface, and to the bottom dead centre of the workpiece.
What skills does punch press operator need?
The most in-demand skills for this role include statistical process control, manufacturing processes, quality standards, supply machine with appropriate tools, remove inadequate workpieces, troubleshoot. These are the skills O*NET identifies as most important for competent performance.
Will AI replace punch press operator?
Our AI-durability model gives punch press operator a score of 0.50 on a 0-1 scale (higher = more exposure). That places it at moderate AI exposure — some tasks are being automated but the role adapts. Learning to work with AI tools rather than against them is the path forward.