EN

Occupation · SOC 51-5112

Printing Press Operators

There are 144,260 jobs in the U.S. Median pay is $45,780 a year. The most jobs are in Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–IN.

ProductionTypical education: High school diploma or equivalent
144,260
Jobs in the U.S.
People employed, May 2025
$45,780
Median pay a year
Middle half: $37,390–$55,740
12,100
Annual openings
10-year change: −8.7%
1
LCA filings, last 4 quarters
0 in the prior 4 quarters

Metro areas with the highest employment

10 of 302 metro areas with BLS data for this occupation. LCA filings: Apr 2025–Mar 2026.

Metro areaEmploymentMedian payLCA filings
Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INMedian pay $46,580 · LCA filings 07,790$46,5800
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJMedian pay $49,620 · LCA filings 06,700$49,6200
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CAMedian pay $46,200 · LCA filings 06,140$46,2000
Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, TXMedian pay $45,670 · LCA filings 03,880$45,6700
Minneapolis–St. Paul–Bloomington, MN–WIMedian pay $50,170 · LCA filings 03,390$50,1700
Philadelphia–Camden–Wilmington, PA–NJ–DE–MDMedian pay $48,610 · LCA filings 02,910$48,6100
Atlanta–Sandy Springs–Roswell, GAMedian pay $44,610 · LCA filings 02,650$44,6100
Milwaukee–Waukesha, WIMedian pay $47,400 · LCA filings 02,590$47,4000
Miami–Fort Lauderdale–West Palm Beach, FLMedian pay $42,890 · LCA filings 02,170$42,8900
Detroit–Warren–Dearborn, MIMedian pay $47,700 · LCA filings 02,100$47,7000

Metro areas with the highest median pay

Median pay for this occupation in each metro area, May 2025.

Metro areaMedian payEmploymentLCA filings
Harrisonburg, VAEmployment 130 · LCA filings 0$64,1801300
Rochester, MNEmployment 90 · LCA filings 0$59,200900
Staunton–Stuarts Draft, VAEmployment 70 · LCA filings 0$58,850700
Oshkosh–Neenah, WIEmployment 610 · LCA filings 0$58,7506100
Fort Smith, AR–OKEmployment 180 · LCA filings 0$56,3501800

Metro areas with the most LCA filings

Labor Condition Applications filed by employers with the U.S. Department of Labor, Apr 2025–Mar 2026. They’re used in the H-1B process and show filing history, not hires or current job openings.

Metro areaLCA filingsEmployers with LCA filingsEmployment
Naples–Marco Island, FLEmployers with LCA filings 1 · Employment 601160

Prevailing wage levels (H-1B and PERM)

The minimum yearly wage by level. Level I is entry level and Level IV is fully competent; an H-1B employer must pay at least the level that fits the job.

Metro areaLevel ILevel IILevel IIILevel IV
Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INLevel II $42,078 · Level III $49,442 · Level IV $56,826$34,694$42,078$49,442$56,826
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJLevel II $46,842 · Level III $54,766 · Level IV $62,670$38,938$46,842$54,766$62,670
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CALevel II $42,286 · Level III $47,382 · Level IV $52,458$37,211$42,286$47,382$52,458
Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, TXLevel II $42,931 · Level III $51,189 · Level IV $59,446$34,674$42,931$51,189$59,446
Minneapolis–St. Paul–Bloomington, MN–WILevel II $46,966 · Level III $54,142 · Level IV $61,298$39,811$46,966$54,142$61,298
Philadelphia–Camden–Wilmington, PA–NJ–DE–MDLevel II $44,616 · Level III $51,064 · Level IV $57,533$38,147$44,616$51,064$57,533
Atlanta–Sandy Springs–Roswell, GALevel II $38,917 · Level III $45,198 · Level IV $51,480$32,635$38,917$45,198$51,480
Milwaukee–Waukesha, WILevel II $43,430 · Level III $49,650 · Level IV $55,869$37,211$43,430$49,650$55,869
Miami–Fort Lauderdale–West Palm Beach, FLLevel II $37,378 · Level III $42,910 · Level IV $48,422$31,866$37,378$42,910$48,422
Detroit–Warren–Dearborn, MILevel II $42,474 · Level III $48,880 · Level IV $55,286$36,067$42,474$48,880$55,286
Naples–Marco Island, FLLevel II $43,555 · Level III $49,400 · Level IV $55,266$37,690$43,555$49,400$55,266

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027.

Related majors

Majors most closely related to this occupation. International graduates: 2024–25 academic year.

MajorInternational graduatesSTEM OPT
Graphic CommunicationsCIP 10.03Varies by program873Varies by program

See Printing Press Operators in every metro area

All 302 metro areas, pay in each, related majors, schools in each job market, and employers with LCA filing history.

Employers with LCA filings for this occupation

See every metro area →

Find jobs on Where They Hire

U.S. jobsJobs abroadCompanies

Related occupations · Production

Miscellaneous Assemblers and FabricatorsInspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and WeighersFirst-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating WorkersPackaging and Filling Machine Operators and TendersWelders, Cutters, Solderers, and BrazersBakersLaundry and Dry-Cleaning WorkersProduction Workers, All Other

Sources: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 · BLS Employment Projections 2025-35 · U.S. Department of Labor LCA disclosure data, Apr 2025–Mar 2026 · IPEDS 2024–25. Prevailing wages: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027. Methodology