How much does a printing press operator make?
The median printing press operator in the United States earns $45,780 per year, about $22.01 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all printing press operators earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 51-5112.
Printing press operator salary range
Pay for printing press operators spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $33,330 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $63,520. The average (mean) wage of $47,360 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $33,330 | $16.03 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $37,390 | $17.98 | |
| Median (50th) | $45,780 | $22.01 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $55,740 | $26.80 | |
| 90th percentile | $63,520 | $30.54 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for printing press operators (SOC 51-5112), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Printing press operator salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Printing press operators earn the most in District of Columbia at $116,630 a year, and the least in Alabama at $36,670. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $116,630 | 350 |
| Massachusetts | $53,050 | 2,110 |
| New Jersey | $50,430 | 4,180 |
| Washington | $49,800 | 2,310 |
| Oregon | $48,760 | 1,330 |
| Minnesota | $48,560 | 4,960 |
| New Hampshire | $48,410 | 680 |
| Kentucky | $48,000 | 2,470 |
| Colorado | $47,860 | 1,830 |
| New York | $47,860 | 6,700 |
| Maryland | $47,840 | 1,250 |
| Maine | $47,430 | 300 |
| Wisconsin | $47,330 | 8,120 |
| Pennsylvania | $47,010 | 7,150 |
| Arkansas | $46,470 | 1,760 |
| Alaska | $46,460 | 170 |
| Vermont | $46,460 | 190 |
| Illinois | $46,260 | 9,550 |
| Missouri | $46,130 | 3,460 |
| California | $46,110 | 12,320 |
| Ohio | $45,760 | 7,500 |
| Connecticut | $45,670 | 1,610 |
| North Carolina | $45,630 | 3,910 |
| Hawaii | $45,390 | 350 |
| Rhode Island | $45,380 | 510 |
| Michigan | $45,280 | 5,110 |
| Indiana | $45,230 | 4,820 |
| South Dakota | $44,930 | 460 |
| Delaware | $44,600 | 210 |
| Virginia | $44,020 | 3,210 |
| Nevada | $43,500 | 1,360 |
| Tennessee | $43,160 | 3,510 |
| Arizona | $42,950 | 2,400 |
| Texas | $42,550 | 9,110 |
| Montana | $42,220 | 300 |
| Nebraska | $42,070 | 2,140 |
| Kansas | $41,890 | 2,640 |
| Georgia | $41,520 | 4,220 |
| West Virginia | $41,200 | 470 |
| Florida | $41,180 | 7,060 |
| Utah | $41,030 | 1,970 |
| Iowa | $40,790 | 2,070 |
| Wyoming | $40,760 | 90 |
| South Carolina | $40,470 | 2,100 |
| Idaho | $38,650 | 610 |
| Mississippi | $38,400 | 670 |
| North Dakota | $37,850 | 270 |
| Louisiana | $37,650 | 870 |
| New Mexico | $37,110 | 250 |
| Oklahoma | $36,760 | 1,140 |
| Alabama | $36,670 | 2,160 |
State median wages for printing press operators (SOC 51-5112), 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 printing press operators
The BLS projects employment of printing press operators to shrink from 2025 to 2035 (down 8.7%). That is a decline, against 3.5% average growth for all occupations. That works out to roughly 144,000 jobs in 2025 moving toward 131,400 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 12,100 openings a year for printing press operators. 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 printing press operator
The typical entry-level education for printing press operators is a high school diploma or equivalent, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete moderate-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 printing press operator 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 (District of Columbia, $116,630) and the lowest (Alabama, $36,670) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 144,260 people work as printing press operators in the United States. At $45,780 a year, the job pays below the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Printing press operator salary FAQ
How much does a printing press operator make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a printing press operator is $22.01. The middle half of printing press operators earn between $17.98 and $26.80 per hour.
What is the highest printing press operator salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of printing press operators earn more than $63,520 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a printing press operator make a year?
The median annual salary for a printing press operator is $45,780. The average (mean) wage of $47,360 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a printing press operator a well paid job?
At $45,780 a year, a printing press operator earns below the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 144,260 people work as printing press operators in the United States.
Which state pays printing press operators the most?
District of Columbia has the highest median salary for printing press operators at $116,630 a year. Massachusetts ($53,050) and New Jersey ($50,430) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a printing press operator a good career?
Employment of printing press operators is projected to shrink 8.7% from 2025 to 2035, a decline, against 3.5% average growth for all occupations. The BLS projects about 12,100 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a printing press operator?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for printing press operators as a high school diploma or equivalent, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
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