SOC 515112

Printing Press Operators

Set up and operate digital, letterpress, lithographic, flexographic, gravure, or other printing machines. Includes short-run offset printing presses.

National Median

$45,160

per year

National Salary Overview

Median Annual

$45,160

Entry Level (10th pct)

$31,450

Experienced (90th pct)

$63,060

Total Employed

145,110

Salary Distribution

Salary percentiles show the range from entry-level (10th) to top earners (90th)

Salary by Experience Level

Experience Level	Estimated Salary Range
Entry Level0-2 years experience	$31,450 - $36,970
Mid Career2-8 years experience	$36,970 - $54,340
Senior / Expert8+ years experience	$54,340 - $63,060

Highest Paying Locations for Printing Press Operators

District of Columbia

$115,770

+156.4% vs national

Harrisonburg, VA

$62,100

+37.5% vs national

Rochester, MN

$58,820

+30.2% vs national

Napa, CA

$57,010

+26.2% vs national

Modesto, CA

$55,730

+23.4% vs national

Printing Press Operators Salary by Location

Compare salaries across 50 metropolitan areas

Metropolitan Area	Median Salary	Employed
District of Columbia	$115,770	350
Harrisonburg, VA	$62,100	130
Rochester, MN	$58,820	100
Napa, CA	$57,010	60
Modesto, CA	$55,730	140
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA	$55,280	470
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV	$52,920	1,600
Springfield, MA	$52,060	280
Trenton-Princeton, NJ	$51,760	180
New Jersey	$51,760	3,840
Oshkosh-Neenah, WI	$51,720	620
Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI	$51,230	3,350
Fort Smith, AR-OK	$50,760	160
Amherst Town-Northampton, MA	$50,620	40
Visalia, CA	$50,620	160
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA	$50,590	1,130
North Arkansas nonmetropolitan area	$50,550	230
Janesville-Beloit, WI	$50,470	110
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA	$50,310	1,200
Kenosha, WI	$50,300	60
Connecticut nonmetropolitan area	$50,140	30
New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ	$50,130	6,540
Middle Georgia nonmetropolitan area	$50,080	170
Wichita Falls, TX	$49,890	50
Terre Haute, IN	$49,880	310
Northern New Hampshire nonmetropolitan area	$49,770	80
Green Bay, WI	$49,750	710
Northwest Illinois nonmetropolitan area	$49,730	160
Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA	$49,730	60
Minnesota	$49,540	4,800
Maryland	$49,450	1,280
Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO	$49,240	1,190
Washington	$49,230	2,060
Massachusetts	$49,230	2,340
Atlantic City-Hammonton, NJ	$49,220	40
Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH	$49,140	1,610
Wausau, WI	$49,100	120
Merced, CA	$49,090	90
Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA	$49,080	1,050
Sheboygan, WI	$49,010	160
Worcester, MA	$48,890	170
Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD	$48,880	570
New Haven, CT	$48,840	320
Decatur, IL	$48,690	50
Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD	$48,690	2,770
Gettysburg, PA	$48,620	70
Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA	$48,550	120
Bloomington, IL	$48,520	120
Battle Creek, MI	$48,510	100
Walla Walla, WA	$48,470	40

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average salary for a Printing Press Operators?

The national median annual salary for Printing Press Operators is $45,160, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data. This means half of workers in this occupation earn more, and half earn less.

Where do Printing Press Operatorss earn the most?

The highest-paying metro area for Printing Press Operatorss is District of Columbia, with a median salary of $115,770.

How much can an experienced Printing Press Operators make?

Top-earning Printing Press Operatorss (90th percentile) make $63,060 or more annually. This typically reflects workers with significant experience, specialized skills, or positions in high-paying regions.