Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, aged to 2026 using compounded market movement. State selections show BLS state-level figures where published. Actual pay varies with experience, industry, and organization size.
Base salary plus target annual bonus. Target bonus opportunity scales with role level, so a higher base carries a higher target percentage.
Base salary
$49,000
National baseline
Target bonus
$4,000
8.4% of base
Total target cash
$53,000
Base plus target bonus
Bonus percentiles:25th$2,50050th$4,00075th$6,500
Long-term incentive is not shown for this role. Equity awards are only disclosed publicly for the named executive officers of public companies, so no market figure exists for most jobs. See executive pay disclosures.
About this role
Printing Press Operator is a professional role within the function in the Production job family.
Typical entry preparation: High School Diploma and up to 1 year of related work experience, per O*NET occupational data. Advancement typically requires additional years in role.
Start presses and pull proofs to check for ink coverage and density, alignment, and registration.
Examine job orders to determine quantities to be printed, stock specifications, colors, or special printing instructions.
Adjust ink fountain flow rates.
Verify that paper and ink meet the specifications for a given job.
Collect and inspect random samples during print runs to identify any necessary adjustments.
Top skills:Quality Control AnalysisOperations MonitoringOperation and ControlMonitoringTroubleshootingTime Management
Includes information from O*NET OnLine by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (CC BY 4.0).
Printing Press Operator pay by experience level
Entry level$34,500
Typical starting pay (about the 10th percentile)
Early career$38,500
A few years in (about the 25th percentile)
Experienced$47,500
Mid-career median pay
Senior$57,500
Seasoned professionals (about the 75th percentile)
Top earners$65,500
Highest earners (about the 90th percentile)
Experience tiers are derived from the BLS wage percentile distribution for this occupation, aged to 2026. Actual pay varies by employer, location, and specialization.
Job outlook
-8.1%
projected change in jobs, 2024–2034
13,700
projected openings per year
Declining
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program (2024–2034). Openings include growth and replacement needs.
Printing Press Operator salary by industry
Printing and Related Support Activities
88,160 workers
$48,500
Printing and Related Support Activities
88,160 workers
$48,500
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
12,500 workers
$45,500
Paper Manufacturing
8,440 workers
$56,500
Converted Paper Product Manufacturing
8,310 workers
$56,500
Advertising, Public Relations, and Related Services
7,000 workers
$45,500
Administrative and Support Services
5,390 workers
$44,000
Plastics and Rubber Products Manufacturing
4,740 workers
$53,000
Publishing Industries
4,720 workers
$51,500
Plastics Product Manufacturing
4,680 workers
$53,000
National sector-level figures, BLS OEWS May 2025, aged to 2026.
Typical duties and FLSA status
Core duties
Start presses and pull proofs to check for ink coverage and density, alignment, and registration.
Examine job orders to determine quantities to be printed, stock specifications, colors, or special printing instructions.
Adjust ink fountain flow rates.
Verify that paper and ink meet the specifications for a given job.
Collect and inspect random samples during print runs to identify any necessary adjustments.
FLSA classification (typical)
Typically Non-exempt · Service, trades, or production work
Occupations in this SOC group are typically classified as Non-exempt and eligible for overtime pay under FLSA rules. Actual classification depends on the specific job duties, salary basis, and any applicable state or local rules. The current federal salary threshold for exemption is $684 per week ($35,568 per year), per the 2020 Department of Labor rule; the 2024 rule that would have raised the threshold was struck down by federal court in November 2024.
How this role compares
Printing Press Operator pays 13% below the average across 112 roles in the Production job family (family average $56,000).
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