CDCareer Decision

Printing Press Operators Salary in KY

In the 2025 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS dataset, Printing Press Operators in KY have a median annual salary of $48,000, with 2,470 recorded jobs in this area. Recorded earnings range from $34,920 at the 10th percentile to $63,720 at the 90th percentile.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS · Data year: 2025 · Last updated: 2026-09-22

Salary overview

Median annual salary

$48,000

Data year: 2025

Hourly median

$23.08

Employment

2,470

Source

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS

Salary distribution

$34,920
10th
$41,340
25th
$48,000
Median
$59,140
75th
$63,720
90th

Local compared with national

KY

$48,000

Median annual · 2025

United States

$45,780

Median annual · 2025

The KY median is 4.8% above the national median in the available dataset (a difference of $2,220).

Top skills

  1. 1.Quality Control AnalysisImportance 3.9
  2. 2.Operations MonitoringImportance 3.6
  3. 3.MonitoringImportance 3.3
  4. 4.Operation and ControlImportance 3.3
  5. 5.Reading ComprehensionImportance 3.1
  6. 6.Active ListeningImportance 3.1
  7. 7.SpeakingImportance 3.1
  8. 8.Critical ThinkingImportance 3.1
  9. 9.Equipment MaintenanceImportance 3.1
  10. 10.TroubleshootingImportance 3.1
  11. 11.RepairingImportance 3.1
  12. 12.Judgment and Decision MakingImportance 3.1

Career information

Education and experience

Typical education
High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)
Experience
Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years
Job zone
2

Technology used

  • AABACH Graphic Systems DIGRA
  • Adobe Acrobat
  • Adobe Illustrator
  • Adobe InDesign
  • Adobe LifeCycle Production Print ES3
  • Adobe PageMaker
  • Adobe Photoshop
  • Corel CorelDraw Graphics Suite
  • Electronics for Imaging EFI Monarch
  • Electronics for Imaging EFI Pace
  • Email software
  • Enfocus PitStop Pro
  • Graphics software
  • Image editing software
  • Inventory tracking software

Common tasks

  • Clean ink fountains, plates, or printing unit cylinders when press runs are completed.
  • 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.

Related careers

Occupations recorded as related in the dataset. A relationship does not imply a guaranteed transition.

Printing Press Operators salary in other locations

Other occupations in KY