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Press Operator I Salary in the United States

How much does a Press Operator I make in the United States?

As of April 01, 2026, the average salary for a Press Operator I in the United States is $45,712 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $22.

However, a Press Operator I's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $54,878
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $41,204 to $50,510
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $37,100
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View as table View as graph 25% $41,204 10% $37,100 90% $54,878 75% $50,510 $45,712 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Press Operator I Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $50,510 $4,209 $971 $24
Average $45,712 $3,809 $879 $22
25th Percentile $41,204 $3,434 $792 $20
Check out Press Operator I Job Openings in the United States
Large Press Operator

U.S. Tsubaki Power Transmission, LLC - Sandusky, OH

Press Operator

Iten Industries, Inc. - Ashtabula, OH

PRESS OPERATOR

FALLS STAMPING & WELDING COMPANY - Cuyahoga Falls, OH

PRESS OPERATOR

Inteplast Group - Holiday City, OH

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Key Factors That Influence Press Operator I Salaries

A Press Operator I's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Press Operator Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Press Operator I's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Press Operator I (1-3 years): $45,712
  • Press Operator II (3-5 years): $50,570
  • Press Operator III (5-7 years): $61,155
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Press Operator I1-3 years$45,712
Press Operator II3-5 years$50,570
Press Operator III5-7 years$61,155
$45,712 Press Ope...
$50,570 Press Ope...
$61,155 Press Ope...
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Press Operator Is

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $57,657
  • San Francisco: $57,090
  • Oakland: $55,823

What Skills Can Increase a Press Operator I's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Problem Solving (Mentioned in 5.1% Job Postings): Analyzing and identifying the root cause of problems and applying critical thinking skills to solve problems.
  • Preventative Maintenance (Mentioned in 2.95% Job Postings): Developing and implementing maintenance strategies to increase equipment life expectancy and avoid unplanned downtime.
  • Continuous Improvement (Mentioned in 2.03% Job Postings): A continual improvement process, also often called a continuous improvement process (abbreviated as CIP or CI), is an ongoing effort to improve products, services, or processes. These efforts can seek "incremental" improvement over time or "breakthrough" improvement all at once. Delivery (customer valued) processes are constantly evaluated and improved in the light of their efficiency, effectiveness and flexibility. Some see CIPs as a meta-process for most management systems (such as business process management, quality management, project management, and program management). W. Edwards Deming, a pioneer of the field, saw it as part of the 'system' whereby feedback from the process and customer were evaluated against organisational goals. The fact that it can be called a management process does not mean that it needs to be executed by 'management'; but rather merely that it makes decisions about the implementation of the delivery process and the design of the delivery process itself.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Problem Solving 5.1%
Preventative Maintenance 2.95%
Continuous Improvement 2.03%
What skills can make your compensation higher?
Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Press Operator I's salary.
  • Creativity: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
  • Time Management: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
  • Manufacturing Operations: Can increase your salary by up to 3%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Creativity
$47,998
5%
Time Management
$47,540
4%
Manufacturing Operations
$47,083
3%
Programming
$47,083
3%
Troubleshooting
$46,626
2%
Customer Service
$46,626
2%
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How Education impacts a Press Operator I's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Press Operator Is enter the field with a No Diploma degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Press Operator I with a No Diploma is between $39,190 and $42,732).

Press Operator I Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Press Operator I
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 5.7%
High School 65.7%
Associates 14.3%
Bachelors 11.4%
Masters 2.9%
Doctorate 0.0%
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Press Operator I Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Press Operator I's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on April 01, 2026

Press Operator I Salary Growth & Career Path

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Press Operator I, you have the following paths for advancement. The table below compares the salary raises for common next-step roles. By comparing these figures, you can choose the career path that best meets your financial goals.

Press Operator I Salary Growth and Career Path
Next Step Role Estimate Salary Projected Raise
Injection Molding Machine Operator III $56,619 24%
Machine Operator III $51,579 13%
Machinist III $65,693 44%
CNC Machine Operator II $62,668 37%

Salary Trends for Press Operator I

Salaries for a Press Operator I can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary increased from $42,067 in 2023 to around $42,104 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Press Operator I salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Press Operator I Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$42,067
2024
$42,218
2025
$42,104
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $42,067
2024 $42,218
2025 $42,104
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Press Operator I

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Press Operator I

Here are companies hiring for Press Operator I and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next Press Operator I Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Press Operator I job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

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FAQ about Press Operator I

1. Where can a Press Operator I earn the most?

A Press Operator I's earning potential can vary widely depending on several factors, including location, industry, experience, education, and the specific employer. According to the latest salary data by Salary.com, a Press Operator I earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Press Operator I is $57,657.

2. What is the highest pay for Press Operator I?

The highest pay for Press Operator I is $54,878.

3. What is the lowest pay for Press Operator I?

The lowest pay for Press Operator I is $37,100.

4. What are the responsibilities of Press Operator I?

Completes print production jobs on various types of printing press machines, including digital, flexographic, web, screen, or others. Reviews job specifications and complete setup tasks, including filling ink, calibrating machine, and loading stock. Conducts visual inspection of samples prior to running job. Performs in-process quality inspections utilizing standard testing protocols. Completes all required production logs and documentation. Interprets equipment diagnostics, troubleshoots breakdowns, and makes necessary adjustments to complete the job. Performs regular maintenance, cleaning, and changeovers of press from one job to another. Maintains a clean and safe workspace. Requires a high school diploma or equivalent. Typically reports to a supervisor. Works under moderate supervision. Gaining or has attained full proficiency in a specific area of discipline. Typically requires 1-3 years of related experience.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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