Printing Press Operators
Set up and operate digital, letterpress, lithographic, flexographic, gravure, or other printing machines. Includes short-run offset printing presses.
Also called: Aniline Press Worker, Back Up Machine Operator, Backer, Bag Press Operator, Bag Printer, Balloon Design Printer
Median pay
$45,780
per year, U.S.
Pay range (10th–90th)
$33,330 – $63,520
People employed
144,260
Holland code
CRE
Conventional · Realistic · Enterprising
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
Is this career right for you?
These are the things that stand out in this job compared with other U.S. jobs (O*NET 31.0 work context). Answer honestly.
- 1.Do you work well under tight deadlines?
- 2.Are you OK with physical risk, such as hazardous equipment or conditions, with proper training?
- 3.Are you OK being on your feet and moving most of the day?
- 4.Do you prefer working indoors?
- 5.Are you OK with hours that change?
The hard parts
- Tight deadlines are common
- Long hours on your feet
- Exposure to hazardous conditions
Printing Press Operators pay by state
Highest-paying states
Annual median pay by state (50 states and DC with published data). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025.
What printing press operators do
- 01Start presses and pull proofs to check for ink coverage and density, alignment, and registration.
- 02Examine job orders to determine quantities to be printed, stock specifications, colors, or special printing instructions.
- 03Adjust ink fountain flow rates.
- 04Verify that paper and ink meet the specifications for a given job.
- 05Collect and inspect random samples during print runs to identify any necessary adjustments.
- 06Feed paper through press cylinders and adjust feed and tension controls.
Skills that matter most
- Monitoring
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Critical Thinking
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Learning
Knowledge
- Mechanical
- Production and Processing
- Customer and Personal Service
- English Language
- Computers and Electronics
Work styles that stand out
- Dependability
- Attention to Detail
Education and first steps
Share of workers by required education, as reported to O*NET.
How people get started
- Usually needs a high school diploma (O*NET Job Zone 2).
- Related work experience: over 2 years, up to and including 4 years.
- On-the-job training: over 1 month, up to and including 3 months.
Most common answers from O*NET 31.0 Education, Training and Experience.
Interest fit (Holland code)
O*NET occupational interest scores, scale 1–7. Take the Free Career Test to compare with your own.
Career changes
Change from printing press operators
- Adhesive Bonding Machine Operators and Tenders88% · +1%
- Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders86% · +10%
- Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic84% · +1%
- Rolling Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic84% · +10%
- Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders83% · +2%
Change into printing press operators
Jobs whose skills carry over best (skill match, their median pay).
- Office Machine Operators, Except Computer80% · $40,960
- Photographic Process Workers and Processing Machine Operators79% · $40,610
- Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders78% · $48,250
- Etchers and Engravers77% · $43,310
- Mixing and Blending Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders77% · $48,990
Majors that lead here
- Printing Management
- Graphic and Printing Equipment Operator, General Production
- Printing Press Operator
- Graphic Communications, Other
From the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk.