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Press Operator II Salary in the United States

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

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Press Operator II in the United States is $50,589 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $24.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $61,843
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $45,792 to $56,480
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $41,425
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Press Operator II Salaries

A Press Operator II'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 II Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Press Operator II'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): $45,717
  • Press Operator II (3-5 years): $50,589
  • Press Operator III (5-7 years): $61,160
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Press Operator I1-3 years$45,717
Press Operator II3-5 years$50,589
Press Operator III5-7 years$61,160
View as Graph

How Do Press Operator II Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Press Operator IIs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $56,012.
  • California: $55,800.
  • Massachusetts: $55,056.

Top Paying Cities for Press Operator IIs

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: $63,808
  • San Francisco: $63,109
  • Oakland: $61,779

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

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Problem Solving (Mentioned in 4.68% Job Postings): Analyzing and identifying the root cause of problems and applying critical thinking skills to solve problems.
  • Quality Control (Mentioned in 2.81% Job Postings): Developing and implementing a set of procedures intended to maintain the quality of a product and reduce any risks or errors.
  • Continuous Improvement (Mentioned in 1.94% 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.
Skills Demand Percentage
Problem Solving 4.68%
Quality Control 2.81%
Continuous Improvement 1.94%
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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 II's salary.

  • Time Management: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
  • Leadership: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
  • Customer Service: Can increase your salary by up to 3%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Time Management $53,118
5%
Leadership $52,613
4%
Customer Service $52,107
3%
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Press Operator II Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Press Operator II salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $55,637. While startup companies pay approximate $47,124.

Press Operator II Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $47,124
Growth Stage 51~500 $49,825
Established 501~5000 $53,738
Enterprise 5000+ $55,637

Press Operator II Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Press Operator II roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 60% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Media and Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 30% above the average. In contrast, Press Operator positions in MFG Durable or Business Services typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Press Operator II as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Press Operator II

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Media$65,766$32.030%
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit$60,707$29.020%
Healthcare$55,648$27.010%

How Education impacts a Press Operator II's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Press Operator II enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for an Press Operator II with a Bachelor's Degree is between $50,735 and $53,851.

Press Operator II Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Press Operator II
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 3.7%
High School 66.7%
Associates 25.9%
Bachelors 3.7%
Masters 0.0%
Doctorate 0.0%
View as Graph

Press Operator II Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Press Operator II'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 September 01, 2026
$45,792
Average $50,589/year
$56,480
$3,816
Average $4,216/month
$4,707
$881
Average $973/week
$1,086
$22
Average $24/hour
$27
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $56,480 $4,707 $1,086 $27
Average $50,589 $4,216 $973 $24
25th Percentile $45,792 $3,816 $881 $22

Press Operator II Salary Growth & Career Path

Press Operator II

Next Role

Advancement

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Press Operator II, 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.

Next Step Role Estimate Salary Projected Raise
Machine Operator IV $55,439 10%
Machinist IV $73,377 45%
CNC Machine Operator IV $71,341 41%
Packaging Supervisor $84,536 67%

Most common benefits for Press Operator II

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Press Operator II

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

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FAQ about Press Operator II

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

A Press Operator II'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 II earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Press Operator II is $63,808.

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

The highest pay for Press Operator II is $61,843.

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

The lowest pay for Press Operator II is $41,425.

4. What are the responsibilities of Press Operator II?

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 independently within established procedures associated with the specific job function. Has gained proficiency in multiple competencies relevant to the job. Typically requires 3-5 years of related experience.

5. What industry pays the highest salary for Press Operator II?

The Media industry offers the highest average compensation for Press Operator II roles, with salaries approximately 30% above the market median.

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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