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Press Setup Operator Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Eaton's ES GEIS CHD division is currently seeking a Punch Press Setup Operator- 1st Shift. The hourly rate for this position is $25.18 per hour. What you'll do: * Setup and operate drilling and ...

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Press Setup Operator information

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How much do press setup operator jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 8, 2026, the average hourly pay for press setup operator in the United States is $18.90, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $15.87 and $20.67 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Press Setup Operator vs Press Operator?

AspectPress Setup OperatorPress Operator
CredentialsHigh school diploma, technical training, certifications in press operationHigh school diploma, on-the-job training, certifications often similar
Work EnvironmentPrepares and sets up printing presses, ensuring proper configurationOperates presses during production runs, monitoring quality and performance
Industry UsageCommon in printing, packaging, and manufacturing industriesUsed across similar industries, often overlapping with press setup roles

The Press Setup Operator focuses on preparing and configuring printing presses before production, requiring technical skills and certifications. In contrast, the Press Operator primarily runs the presses during production, monitoring quality and efficiency. Both roles are essential in printing and manufacturing environments, often working closely together to ensure smooth operations.

What are some common challenges faced by Press Setup Operators during machine setup, and how can they be addressed?

Press Setup Operators often encounter challenges such as ensuring precise alignment of dies, minimizing setup time, and troubleshooting equipment malfunctions. To address these issues, it's important to follow detailed setup procedures, regularly maintain equipment, and communicate closely with maintenance and quality teams. Developing strong problem-solving skills and familiarity with different press models can also help operators adapt quickly to unexpected issues and maintain production efficiency.

What does a Press Setup Operator do?

A Press Setup Operator is responsible for setting up, adjusting, and preparing printing or stamping presses for production runs. Their duties include installing dies or printing plates, selecting and loading materials, making necessary machine adjustments, and ensuring the equipment is ready for efficient operation. They also perform quality checks and troubleshoot any issues that arise during setup to ensure high-quality output. The role requires attention to detail, mechanical aptitude, and familiarity with safety procedures.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Press Setup Operator, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Press Setup Operator, you need mechanical aptitude, attention to detail, and experience with machine setup, often supported by a high school diploma or technical training. Familiarity with press machinery, measuring tools like calipers and micrometers, and safety protocols is typically required. Strong problem-solving skills, teamwork, and effective communication help operators excel in fast-paced manufacturing environments. These abilities ensure efficient production, minimize downtime, and maintain high safety and quality standards.
More about Press Setup Operator jobs
What job categories do people searching Press Setup Operator jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Press Setup Operator jobs are:
Infographic showing various Press Setup Operator job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 37% Full Time, 61% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 95% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $39,312 per year, or $18.9 per hour.
Punch Press Setup Operator- 1st Shift

Punch Press Setup Operator- 1st Shift

Eaton

Syracuse, NY • On-site

$25.18/hr

Full-time

Medical, Retirement

Posted 18 days ago


Eaton rating

7.5

Company rating: 7.5 out of 10

Based on 208 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

246th of 516 rated manufacturers


Job description

Eaton's ES GEIS CHD division is currently seeking a Punch Press Setup Operator- 1st Shift. The hourly rate for this position is $25.18 per hour.
What you'll do:
  • Setup and operate drilling and tapping machines, multi-press, and punch press operations for a wide range of job shop work including blanking, punching, piercing, notching, embossing, forming, bending and related operations on bar strips or continuous rolls of prescribed materials.
  • Setup, adjust and operate dial presses and related equipment.
  • Setup and operate riveting, swedge and wedge nut assembly equipment.
  • Manually fill and monitor feeder bowls, magazine and unload station with specified parts to insure continuous operation of equipment.
  • Label, close and load boxes to containers and/or pallets as directed.
  • Select and set die sets or punch and die members in the press and align as necessary.
  • Secure dies in place on bed or in ram.
  • Determine and set stroke of the ram.
  • Adjust air on mechanical knock-out devices.
  • For automatic operations, setup automatic feeder to position metal under ram, synchronize action of feeder bar or punch rollers with feed and take off conveyor and automatic action of ram, position clamp feed guides and thread and position metal strips from play-out reel through pinch rollers, through the die and into the scrap cutter.
  • Check setup to insure tightness of all bolts and clamps.
  • Adjust any safety devices.
  • Check work with samples, scales, calipers, micrometers and fixed gauges to close tolerances. Determine when punch and dies are in need of repair.
  • Prepare move tickets.
  • Use hand truck to move material, parts and finished product as necessary.
  • Perform Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) activities such as minor maintenance that includes cleaning, inspection, minor lubrication and tightening loose bolts. Administer the 5-S's, including sweeping and mopping of floors around machine perimeter.
  • Maintain visual controls and Material Replenishment System (MRS).
  • Detect faulty operation or defective material; report all unusual conditions to supervisor.
    Duties involve judgment and some planning and making decisions as to sequence of operations or procedures within limits of standard or recognized methods and established precedent.

Qualifications:
Basic (Required) Qualifications:
• High School Diploma or General Education Development (GED) certificate.
• A Minimum of two (2) years of machine operation/set-up experience required.
• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship.
• No relocation benefit is offered for this position. Only candidates residing within the immediate geographic area (50 miles) of Syracuse, NY will be considered for this position
We are committed to ensuring equal employment opportunities for all job applicants and employees. Employment decisions are based upon job-related reasons regardless of an applicant's race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, disability, marital status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other status protected by law.
Eaton believes in second chance employment. Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction history will be considered regardless of their arrest or conviction history, consistent with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance, the California Fair Chance Act and other local laws.
You do not need to disclose your conviction history or participate in a background check until a conditional job offer is made to you. After making a conditional offer and running a background check, if Eaton is concerned about conviction that is directly related to the job, you will be given the chance to explain the circumstances surrounding the conviction, provide mitigating evidence, or challenge the accuracy of the background report.
To request a disability-related reasonable accommodation to assist you in your job search, application, or interview process, please call us at 1-800-836-6345 to discuss your specific need. Only accommodation requests will be accepted by this phone number.
We know that good benefit programs are important to employees and their families. Eaton provides various Health and Welfare benefits as well as Retirement benefits, and several programs that provide for paid and unpaid time away from work. Click here for more detail: Eaton Benefits Overview. Please note that specific programs and options available to an employee may depend on eligibility factors such as geographic location, date of hire, and the applicability of collective bargaining agreements.

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About Eaton

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Industry

Electrical equipment, appliance, and component manufacturing

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Cleveland, OH, US