PathMosaic
Career card

Printing Press Operators

Also called: Press Operator, Pressman, Printer, Printing Press Operator

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

Share on LinkedIn Download images

LinkedIn posts a link with a summary picture. Images: two pictures to save or post. PDF: the whole card. More

Median pay BLS, 2025$45,780
Openings a year BLS, 2025–3512,100
Typical education to start BLSHigh school diploma or equivalent
AI exposure BLS, Aug 2026 Moderate
Projected job growth BLS, 2025–35 -8.7%

What the data says: AI could halve the time on 7 of its 23 tasks, and jobs are projected to shrink 8.7% by 2035. How to think about this →

About this projection

BLS builds AI into its projections where the research supports it: “BLS generally applies adjustments based on this research conservatively, where there is convincing evidence for a change.”

It also notes a limit: “BLS projection methods are not designed to capture extremely rapid technological change.”

On its AI exposure groups, BLS says exposure “does not imply job loss.”

Recent conditions

  • In 2024, 4.5% of people in this work were unemployed, against 3.8% across all occupations Census ACS 2024
  • From Sep 2025 to Aug 2026, 8.4 hires for every 10 job openings in nondurable goods manufacturing, which employs about 73% of people in this work, against 7.3 across all industries BLS JOLTS One box per opening, filled for each hire; hires beyond the openings are added in a lighter shade. Higher can mean openings get filled, or that people leave often; lower, that jobs go unfilled, or hiring is slow.

How to read these

Pay compared with all occupations BLS median wages Pays more than 21% of 825 occupations
lowest-paidhighest-paid

Median pay by state BLS OEWS May 2025, state estimates

$37k$117knot published

Median pay in every state
StateMedianMiddle half earnJobs
Alabama$36,670$29,760 to $45,1102,160
Alaska$46,460$42,370 to $50,250170
Arizona$42,950$38,420 to $48,5302,400
Arkansas$46,470$37,960 to $58,2401,760
California$46,110$38,530 to $54,87012,320
Colorado$47,860$40,520 to $52,2501,830
Connecticut$45,670$37,750 to $59,1101,610
Delaware$44,600$36,200 to $48,940210
District of Columbia$116,630$71,530 to $130,850350
Florida$41,180$35,560 to $47,0007,060
Georgia$41,520$35,180 to $48,9804,220
Guam$32,240$21,850 to $41,600100
Hawaii$45,390$37,940 to $53,980350
Idaho$38,650$35,460 to $46,090610
Illinois$46,260$36,470 to $59,1709,550
Indiana$45,230$37,680 to $50,3804,820
Iowa$40,790$34,610 to $48,2402,070
Kansas$41,890$35,120 to $47,5402,640
Kentucky$48,000$41,340 to $59,1402,470
Louisiana$37,650$31,400 to $46,920870
Maine$47,430$41,270 to $57,620300
Maryland$47,840$38,700 to $59,6501,250
Massachusetts$53,050$44,550 to $64,2302,110
Michigan$45,280$37,860 to $50,3705,110
Minnesota$48,560$41,530 to $61,4904,960
Mississippi$38,400$30,000 to $52,180670
Missouri$46,130$37,720 to $54,8903,460
Montana$42,220$34,250 to $47,810300
Nebraska$42,070$39,900 to $48,4002,140
Nevada$43,500$36,300 to $50,7401,360
New Hampshire$48,410$39,000 to $59,520680
New Jersey$50,430$43,650 to $63,9504,180
New Mexico$37,110$33,760 to $48,200250
New York$47,860$38,970 to $58,6306,700
North Carolina$45,630$36,910 to $53,6703,910
North Dakota$37,850$32,340 to $49,100270
Ohio$45,760$37,190 to $56,1807,500
Oklahoma$36,760$29,710 to $46,3501,140
Oregon$48,760$40,620 to $58,3901,330
Pennsylvania$47,010$38,080 to $56,3507,150
Puerto Rico$26,100$22,840 to $36,060520
Rhode Island$45,380$44,930 to $59,010510
South Carolina$40,470$36,640 to $47,6402,100
South Dakota$44,930$35,810 to $51,990460
Tennessee$43,160$36,370 to $49,2003,510
Texas$42,550$35,880 to $49,0809,110
Utah$41,030$35,290 to $47,7501,970
Vermont$46,460$44,350 to $58,980190
Virginia$44,020$36,040 to $54,2403,210
Washington$49,800$46,120 to $60,1302,310
West Virginia$41,200$33,560 to $49,260470
Wisconsin$47,330$40,080 to $59,7708,120
Wyoming$40,760$30,980 to $52,71090

Nationally: $45,780. Shades run from the lowest state median to the highest; a territory below that range takes the lightest. How to read this

How AI touches the work

What AI could speed up, task by task, and where people already use it.

AI could halve the time on 7 of its 23 tasks

0 · AI alone could halve the time 7 · AI + software built on it could 16 · Not much
AI ratingIts main tasks Share of Claude conversations
May 2026
Not much Verify that paper and ink meet the specifications for a given job. Not published
Not much Collect and inspect random samples during print runs to identify any necessary adjustments. Not published
AI + software Examine job orders to determine quantities to be printed, stock specifications, colors, or special printing instructions. Not published
Not much Start presses and pull proofs to check for ink coverage and density, alignment, and registration. Not published
Not much Load presses with paper and make necessary adjustments, according to paper size. Not published
Not much Change press plates, blankets, or cylinders, as required. Not published
See all 23 tasks
Not much Clean or oil presses or make minor repairs, using hand tools. Not published
Not much Secure printing plates to printing units and adjust tolerances. Not published
Not much Clean ink fountains, plates, or printing unit cylinders when press runs are completed. Not published
Not much Monitor automated press operation systems and respond to fault, error, or alert messages. Not published
Not much Obtain or mix inks and fill ink fountains. Not published
Not much Feed paper through press cylinders and adjust feed and tension controls. Not published
Not much Adjust ink fountain flow rates. Not published
AI + software Maintain time or production records. under 0.01%
AI + software Input production job settings into workstation terminals that control automated printing systems. Not published
Not much Monitor inventory levels on a regular basis, ordering or requesting additional supplies, as necessary. Not published
Not much Monitor environmental factors, such as humidity and temperature, that may impact equipment performance and make necessary adjustments. Not published
Not much Set up or operate auxiliary equipment, such as cutting, folding, plate-making, drilling, or laminating machines. Not published
AI + software Download completed jobs to archive media so that questions can be answered or jobs replicated. Not published
Not much Direct or monitor work of press crews. Not published
AI + software Download or scan files to be printed, using printing production software. Not published
AI + software Control workflow scheduling or job tracking, using computer database software. Not published
AI + software Adjust digital files to alter print elements, such as fonts, graphics, or color separations. Not published

Ordered by how important O*NET's respondents rate each task (1 to 5) times the share who say it is part of their job. The ordering is ours. 1 of the 23 have a published share of Claude conversations; “not published” means too few conversations for Anthropic to publish a figure.

Where people already use AI

The tasks above say what AI could speed up. This shows what people are using it for. Its 23 tasks fall under 21 work activities that many occupations share, and Microsoft counted how often each one came up in 200,000 conversations with its Copilot assistant in 2024.

Tasks AI could speed up7 of 23 tasksEloundou et al. ratings (2023)
Its activities among the 50 people ask AI for help with most4 of 21 activities
  • #8 Read documents or materials to inform work processes
  • #31 Program computer systems or production equipment
  • #35 Process digital or online data
  • and 1 more, in the table below
Microsoft Copilot (2024), ranked among all 332 activities. The cut-off of 50 is ours.
Work activity This occupation's tasks under it People asked AI for help
in 10,000 conversations		 AI did it for them
in 10,000 conversations
Program computer systems or production equipment 58#31 12#63
Process digital or online data 50#35 73#23
Adjust equipment to ensure adequate performance 20#57 4.31#101
Inspect completed work or finished products 3.91#150 1.95#130
Clean tools, equipment, facilities, or work areas 3.36#158 1.16#157
Direct organizational operations, activities, or procedures 1.85#204 0.36#225
Position workpieces or materials on equipment 0.61#264 0.17#249
Load products, materials, or equipment for transportation or further processing 0.15#308 0.01#322
Show all 21 activities
Read documents or materials to inform work processes 197#8 47#28
Purchase goods or services 47#36 0.39#220
Set up equipment 20#58 4.69#95
Prepare mixtures or solutions 14#71 3.65#105
Maintain tools or equipment 4.47#136 1.04#167
Maintain operational records 2.92#170 0.49#209
Evaluate production inputs or outputs 2.18#194 0.81#171
Monitor equipment operation 1.87#203 0.26#236
Investigate the environmental impact of industrial or development activities 1.35#221 0.38#222
Collect samples of products or materials 0.70#256 0.13#262
Operate cutting or grinding equipment 0.54#267 0.01#321
Replenish inventories of materials, equipment, or products 0.43#276 0.10#268
Operate industrial processing or production equipment 0.13#309 0.02#301
Task: AI alone Task: AI + software Task: not much #: rank among all 332 activities Microsoft measured (#1 = most common; activities that never came up share last place, shown as “tied”)
Where the two sources differ: “Direct organizational operations, activities, or procedures” holds 1 task rated AI + software, yet people asked AI for help with it in 1.85 of every 10,000 conversations, #204 of 332.

How people in this work use Claude

What people in this work made with Claude % of conversations

  • Data or a spreadsheet22%
  • A script or snippet11%
  • A document or report10%
  • Configuration or infrastructure8%
  • An image or graphic6%

How they worked with Claude

94% handed the task off6% worked on it together

78% of these conversations were about work. Anthropic Economic Index, May 2026.

How to read this

Work activities come from O*NET, which links every task to the broader activities it involves. Microsoft's figures are for the activity across everyone who used Copilot, not for printing press operators specifically. Copilot is a general chat assistant; dedicated coding tools are not included, so programming help is under-counted here. Activities are listed by how many of this occupation's tasks fall under them.

The task ratings say whether AI could halve the time a task takes: on its own (“AI alone”), or with software built on it (“AI + software”). They were made by people in 2023 (Eloundou et al.). Claude's share is the task's share of all Claude.ai conversations in May 2026; Anthropic doesn't publish a task with too few conversations. None of these add up to the BLS exposure group, which combines five research measures.

More in the Guide: task ratings · task order · work activities · Copilot figures · Claude

High exposure doesn't mean fewer jobs

BLS projects most occupations in its two most exposed groups to grow: 141 of 206 rated Very high and 165 of 206 rated High. Each dot is one of the 831 occupations BLS rates.

AI exposure and projected job growth, 831 occupationsLow exposure: 134 of 213 occupations projected to grow. Moderate exposure: 151 of 206 occupations projected to grow. High exposure: 165 of 206 occupations projected to grow. Very high exposure: 141 of 206 occupations projected to grow.-20%-15%-10%-5%0%+5%+10%+15%+20%+25%Low134 of 213 growingModerate151 of 206 growingHigh165 of 206 growingVery high141 of 206 growing11 occupations outside −20% to +25% are drawn at the edge. Click a dot to see that occupation.Printing press operators: -8.7%Printing Press OperatorsAI exposure and projected job growth, 831 occupationsLow exposure: 134 of 213 occupations projected to grow. Moderate exposure: 151 of 206 occupations projected to grow. High exposure: 165 of 206 occupations projected to grow. Very high exposure: 141 of 206 occupations projected to grow.-20%-15%-10%-5%0%+5%+10%+15%+20%+25%Low134 of 213Moderate151 of 206High165 of 206Very high141 of 20611 occupations outside −20% to +25% are drawn at the edge. Tap a dot.Printing press operators: -8.7%Printing Press Operators

Career moves into and out of this occupation

From moves between occupations found in online resumes, 2002–2016. Career changes only: a first job after school isn't a move.

Where people moved next

of 11,270 moves out

  1. 1 Managers, All Other (2010 group) an older group BLS has since split; no exposure group today 6%
  2. 2 Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers Moderate +3.8% 4%
  3. 3 Production Workers, All Other (2010 group) an older group BLS has since split; no exposure group today 3%
  4. 4 Security Guards Moderate +0.9% 2%
  5. 5 Customer Service Representatives Very high -5.3% 2%

Where people moved in from

of 11,291 moves in

  1. 1 Production Workers, All Other (2010 group) an older group BLS has since split; no exposure group today 4%
  2. 2 Waiters and Waitresses Moderate +2.0% 4%
  3. 3 Managers, All Other (2010 group) an older group BLS has since split; no exposure group today 4%
  4. 4 Retail Salespersons Very high -0.3% 4%
  5. 5 Customer Service Representatives Very high -5.3% 3%

Resumes over-represent younger, white-collar job-seekers and moves into management. Schubert, Stansbury and Taska (resume data).

Education and training for the occupation

Education people in it hold

O*NET survey of workers in this occupation

  • 1% less than high school
  • 73% high school
  • 19% postsecondary certificate
  • 6% some college

O*NET 31.0 survey of workers in this occupation · 25 people answered.

Census survey (American Community Survey)

  • 8% less than high school
  • 44% high school
  • 25% some college
  • 9% associate's
  • 12% bachelor's
  • 2% master's

Census ACS 2024, all workers in this occupation · 1,258 people surveyed.

Why the two can differ

O*NET asks about 20 people in each occupation, which makes its shares uncertain, but it reports the exact occupation and counts certificates. The Census survey reaches thousands, but it groups some occupations together and counts degrees only. More in the Guide

Median pay by highest degree full-time, year-round · Census ACS 2024, all workers in this occupation

Programs that prepare people for it (NCES)
4 programs, such as Printing Management, Graphic and Printing Equipment Operator, General Production and Printing Press Operator.
See all
  • Printing Management
  • Graphic and Printing Equipment Operator, General Production
  • Printing Press Operator
  • Graphic Communications, Other

Jobs that require a credential BLS Occupational Requirements Survey 2023

<30% this occupation

45.3% all occupations

By kindThis occupationAll occupations
a licensenot published
a certificationnot published
an educational certificatenot published

Share of jobs whose employer requires it. BLS doesn't say which credential. How to read this

Look up certifications, training and licenses U.S. Department of Labor

These open in a new tab and send only the occupation's public code. More in the Guide

See where your own career could go Start by uploading your resume Browse careers

BLS AI exposure categories (Aug 2026) · BLS Employment Projections 2025–35 · O*NET 31.0 · Task ratings: Eloundou et al., Science (2024) · Microsoft "Working with AI" v1.1 · Anthropic Economic Index (2026-06-26) · Schubert, Stansbury and Taska · NCES CIP–SOC · Census ACS 2024 · BLS JOLTS

See it online, and explore any career: https://www.pathmosaic.com/card/51-5112.00

How useful is this page?

1 Not useful5 Very useful

Anonymous. Please don't include your name or contact details.