Printing Press Operators in Texas
Considering working as a Printing Press Operators in Texas? Here’s what you need to know. Set up and operate digital, letterpress, lithographic, flexographic, gravure, or other printing machines. Includes short-run offset printing presses.
What do Printing Press Operators Make in Texas?
For a printing press operators working in Texas, the median annual wage is $40,000 per year (or about $19.23/hour).Earnings range from $28,340 at the 10th percentile to $61,750 at the 90th percentile.
| Wage Statistic | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $28,340 | $13.63 |
| 25th percentile | $34,570 | $16.62 |
| Median (50th) | $40,000 | $19.23 |
| 75th percentile | $48,780 | $23.45 |
| 90th percentile | $61,750 | $29.69 |
The job concentration index in Texas relative to the national average — is 0.73, indicating fewer printing press operators per worker than the national average.
National Wage Comparison
Nationally, printing press operators earn a median of $31,814 per year ($15.30/hour), higher than the Texas median.
Employment Outlook
National employment for 70,126 printing press operators nationwide. In Texas alone, approximately 9,510 people work in this role. That’s more than the typical state, which employs around 1,950 printing press operators.
Top Texas Metros for Printing Press Operators
The metro areas below employ the most printing press operators in Texas.
| Metro Area | Number Employed | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | 4,150 | $46,310 |
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | 1,710 | $38,620 |
| Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX | 870 | $38,240 |
| San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX | 470 | $42,400 |
| El Paso, TX | 240 | $37,970 |
| Lubbock, TX | 130 | $35,320 |
| McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX | 130 | $37,710 |
| College Station-Bryan, TX | 120 | $39,280 |
| Longview, TX | 110 | $39,750 |
| Waco, TX | 110 | $44,050 |
| Killeen-Temple, TX | 100 | n/a |
| San Angelo, TX | 100 | $34,600 |
| Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX | 60 | $38,290 |
| Abilene, TX | 50 | $33,290 |
| Amarillo, TX | 50 | $40,540 |
| Brownsville-Harlingen, TX | 50 | $29,750 |
| Corpus Christi, TX | 50 | $36,060 |
| Tyler, TX | 50 | $33,780 |
| Wichita Falls, TX | 50 | $49,890 |
| Laredo, TX | 30 | $29,460 |
| Odessa, TX | 30 | $34,340 |
Top States for Printing Press Operators Employment
The table below shows the states where the most printing press operators work.
| State | Number Employed |
|---|---|
| California | 11,990 |
| Illinois | 10,060 |
| Texas | 9,510 |
| Ohio | 7,650 |
| Florida | 7,600 |
| New York | 7,200 |
| Pennsylvania | 6,770 |
| Wisconsin | 6,480 |
| Indiana | 5,230 |
| Minnesota | 4,800 |
| Georgia | 4,640 |
| Michigan | 4,320 |
| North Carolina | 3,950 |
| New Jersey | 3,840 |
| Missouri | 3,810 |
| Tennessee | 3,590 |
| Arizona | 2,890 |
| Virginia | 2,780 |
| Alabama | 2,760 |
| Kansas | 2,660 |
Highest-Paying States for Printing Press Operators
The highest-paying states for printing press operators.
| State | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $115,770 |
| New Jersey | $51,760 |
| Minnesota | $49,540 |
| Maryland | $49,450 |
| Washington | $49,230 |
| Massachusetts | $49,230 |
| Rhode Island | $48,310 |
| Arkansas | $48,310 |
| Wisconsin | $47,970 |
| Oregon | $47,900 |
Skills
Top printing press operators skills, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Knowledge Areas
Key knowledge areas for this occupation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Abilities
Top abilities for printing press operators, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Daily Tasks
Common tasks include:
- 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.
- Feed paper through press cylinders and adjust feed and tension controls.
- Monitor automated press operation systems and respond to fault, error, or alert messages.
- Load presses with paper and make necessary adjustments, according to paper size.
- Secure printing plates to printing units and adjust tolerances.
- Clean ink fountains, plates, or printing unit cylinders when press runs are completed.
- Change press plates, blankets, or cylinders, as required.
- Obtain or mix inks and fill ink fountains.
Work Activities
- Controlling Machines and Processes
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems
- Getting Information
- Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
- Scheduling Work and Activities
- Handling and Moving Objects
- Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
- Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment
- Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment
- Training and Teaching Others
- Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
Tools & Technology
Software and systems commonly involved: Hot technologies: Adobe Acrobat, Adobe Illustrator
What Major Will Prepare You For This Career?
Several college majors map to this occupation:
- Graphic Communications
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Related Careers
Careers similar to printing press operators include:
- Office Machine Operators, Except Computer
- Industrial Machinery Mechanics
- Extruding and Drawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
- Rolling Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
- Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
- Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
Also Known As
Aniline Press Worker, Back Up Machine Operator, Backer, Bag Press Operator, Bag Printer, Balloon Design Printer, Bander and Liner Operator, Ben-Day Artist, Binding Printer, Block Printer, Box Press Operator, Box Printer, Calico Printer, Carton Stamper, Cellophane Press Operator.
References
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — https://www.bls.gov/oes/
- O*NET Online — https://www.onetonline.org/
- BLS Employment Projections — https://www.bls.gov/emp/
- O*NET-SOC code: 51-5112.00
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