How much does a presser make?
The median presser in the United States earns $35,060 per year, about $16.85 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all pressers earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 51-6021.
Presser salary range
Pay for pressers spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $27,180 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $43,050. The average (mean) wage is $34,640, close to the median.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $27,180 | $13.07 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $29,870 | $14.36 | |
| Median (50th) | $35,060 | $16.85 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $37,940 | $18.24 | |
| 90th percentile | $43,050 | $20.70 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for pressers, textile, garment, and related materials (SOC 51-6021), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Presser salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Pressers earn the most in Illinois at $40,230 a year, and the least in Alabama at $26,860. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois | $40,230 | N/A |
| California | $39,300 | 3,850 |
| New Hampshire | $38,540 | 100 |
| Colorado | $38,300 | 320 |
| Maine | $38,020 | 60 |
| New Jersey | $37,920 | 870 |
| Washington | $37,620 | 460 |
| Arizona | $36,870 | 360 |
| Oregon | $36,860 | 230 |
| New York | $36,510 | 1,730 |
| Massachusetts | $36,410 | 470 |
| Rhode Island | $36,390 | 170 |
| Michigan | $36,290 | 300 |
| Connecticut | $36,030 | 740 |
| Idaho | $35,990 | 110 |
| Hawaii | $35,980 | 90 |
| Nevada | $35,560 | 820 |
| Wisconsin | $35,500 | 350 |
| Utah | $35,320 | 320 |
| Montana | $35,270 | 30 |
| Maryland | $34,390 | 480 |
| Nebraska | $33,300 | 170 |
| Georgia | $33,010 | 1,010 |
| Iowa | $32,990 | 100 |
| Florida | $31,760 | 2,130 |
| Virginia | $31,220 | 720 |
| Kentucky | $31,200 | 530 |
| Ohio | $30,820 | 810 |
| Missouri | $30,520 | 330 |
| Wyoming | $30,460 | 50 |
| Arkansas | $29,880 | 470 |
| Pennsylvania | $29,880 | 700 |
| Texas | $29,680 | 3,490 |
| Tennessee | $29,460 | 410 |
| North Carolina | $29,300 | 550 |
| South Carolina | $29,160 | 220 |
| Kansas | $29,110 | 150 |
| Indiana | $28,840 | 410 |
| New Mexico | $28,730 | 110 |
| West Virginia | $28,400 | 70 |
| Oklahoma | $28,340 | 330 |
| Mississippi | $27,180 | 400 |
| Louisiana | $27,170 | 190 |
| Alabama | $26,860 | 390 |
State median wages for pressers, textile, garment, and related materials (SOC 51-6021), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for pressers
The BLS projects employment of pressers to shrink from 2025 to 2035 (down 15.7%). That is a decline, against 3.5% average growth for all occupations. That works out to roughly 26,300 jobs in 2025 moving toward 22,200 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 2,200 openings a year for pressers. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a presser
The typical entry-level education for pressers is no formal educational credential, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete short-term on-the-job training to reach full competency.
A four-year college degree is usually not required to start, which makes this one of the jobs you can enter without a bachelor's degree. See more high paying jobs without a degree .
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a presser earns
Industry, shift, certifications, and region drive pay, along with overtime. Skilled operators and workers in unionized plants sit near the top of the range.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (Illinois, $40,230) and the lowest (Alabama, $26,860) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 26,120 people work as pressers in the United States. At $35,060 a year, the job pays below the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Presser salary FAQ
How much does a presser make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a presser is $16.85. The middle half of pressers earn between $14.36 and $18.24 per hour.
What is the highest presser salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of pressers earn more than $43,050 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a presser make a year?
The median annual salary for a presser is $35,060. The average (mean) wage is $34,640, close to the median.
Is being a presser a well paid job?
At $35,060 a year, a presser earns below the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 26,120 people work as pressers in the United States.
Which state pays pressers the most?
Illinois has the highest median salary for pressers at $40,230 a year. California ($39,300) and New Hampshire ($38,540) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a presser a good career?
Employment of pressers is projected to shrink 15.7% from 2025 to 2035, a decline, against 3.5% average growth for all occupations. The BLS projects about 2,200 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a presser?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for pressers as no formal educational credential, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
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