Customize Your Journey
For Educators: Military Resources
For Educators: Military Resources

Printing Press Operators

Median Salary
41,860
Job Outlook
N/A

Overview

What are the responsibilities of this role?

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

What sectors do they work in?

Private for profit

83%

Self-employed

9%

State and local government

3%

Private not for profit

3%

Federal Government

2%

Compensation

What is the typical salary range?

$22,470

10%

$41,860

Median

$110,950

90%

How does location impact how much salary?

Education

What level of education do professionals in this role have?

Education Level

  • High school

    73%

  • Post-secondary certificate

    19%

  • Some college

    6%

  • Less than high school

    1%

Which college majors best prepare you for this role?

  • Graphic Communications, Other
  • Graphic and Printing Equipment Operator, General Production
  • Printing Management
  • Printing Press Operator

Skills and Interest

Which skill sets are the most valuable to possess?

Skills

  • Technology Design and Control

    High

  • Equipment Operation and Maintenance

    High

  • Verbal Skills

    Low

  • Leadership

    Low

  • Math and Science Skills

    Low

  • Critical Thinking and Problem Solving

    Low

What knowledge should you bring to the table?

  • Mechanical
  • Production and Processing
  • Computers and Electronics
  • English Language
  • Customer and Personal Service

What challenges will you likely face in the workplace?

Workplace

  • Time Pressure

    High

  • Repetitiveness

    High

  • Physical Activity

    High

  • Exposure to Job Hazards

    Mid

  • Responsibility

    Mid

  • Decision Making

    Mid

  • Level Of Competition

    Low

What personality traits help people thrive in this role?

Conventional

You like structure, staying organized, and working with systems to get things done efficiently.

Realistic

You love hands-on work and solving practical problems — like fixing things and building stuff.

RIASEC represents six broad interest areas—Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising, and Conventional—helping individuals identify careers that match their skills and preferences.

Take the RIASEC Test

Related Occupations

Data supplied by Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Center of Education Statistics, Defense Manpower Data Center (View our update schedule). Contact any business, college or military service branch to answer additional questions.