Salary AI Book a Demo

Press Operator III Salary in the United States

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

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Press Operator III in the United States is $61,160 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $29.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $72,856
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $54,054 to $67,282
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $47,584
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Press Operator III Salaries

A Press Operator III'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 III Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Press Operator III'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 IIIs 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 IIIs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $67,716.
  • California: $67,459.
  • Massachusetts: $66,560.

Top Paying Cities for Press Operator III

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: $77,141
  • San Francisco: $76,296
  • Oakland: $74,689

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

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Problem Solving (Mentioned in 4.72% Job Postings): Analyzing and identifying the root cause of problems and applying critical thinking skills to solve problems.
  • Injection Molding (Mentioned in 2.94% Job Postings): Injection moulding is a manufacturing process for producing parts by injecting molten material into a mould. Injection moulding can be performed with a host of materials mainly including metals (for which the process is called die-casting), glasses, elastomers, confections, and most commonly thermoplastic and thermosetting polymers. Material for the part is fed into a heated barrel, mixed (Using a helical shaped screw), and injected (Forced) into a mould cavity, where it cools and hardens to the configuration of the cavity.:240 After a product is designed, usually by an industrial designer or an engineer, moulds are made by a mould-maker (or toolmaker) from metal, usually either steel or aluminium, and precision-machined to form the features of the desired part. Injection moulding is widely used for manufacturing a variety of parts, from the smallest components to entire body panels of cars. Advances in 3D printing technology, using photopolymers which do not melt during the injection moulding of some lower temperature thermoplastics, can be used for some simple injection moulds.
  • Continuous Improvement (Mentioned in 1.86% 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 4.72%
Injection Molding 2.94%
Continuous Improvement 1.86%
See More Skills

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 III's salary.

  • Alignment: Can increase your salary by up to 78%.
  • Innovation: Can increase your salary by up to 78%.
  • Commitment: Can increase your salary by up to 69%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Alignment $108,865
78%
Innovation $108,865
78%
Commitment $103,360
69%
Get Latest Data

Press Operator III Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Press Operator III salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $67,314. While startup companies pay approximate $56,943.

Press Operator III Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $56,943
Growth Stage 51~500 $60,224
Established 501~5000 $65,003
Enterprise 5000+ $67,314

Press Operator III Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Press Operator III roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Media and MFG Durable sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Press Operator positions in Business Services or MFG Nondurable typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Press Operator III as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Press Operator III

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Media$73,392$35.020%
MFG Durable$67,276$32.010%

How Education impacts an Press Operator III's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Press Operator III 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 III with a Bachelor's Degree is between $60,690 and $66,774.

Press Operator III Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Press Operator III
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 2.3%
High School 72.5%
Associates 14.0%
Bachelors 10.8%
Masters 0.5%
Doctorate 0.0%
View as Graph

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

Understanding how a Press Operator III'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
$54,054
Average $61,160/year
$67,282
$4,505
Average $5,097/month
$5,607
$1,040
Average $1,176/week
$1,294
$26
Average $29/hour
$32
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $67,282 $5,607 $1,294 $32
Average $61,160 $5,097 $1,176 $29
25th Percentile $54,054 $4,505 $1,040 $26

Press Operator III Salary Growth & Career Path

Press Operator III

Next Role

Advancement

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Press Operator III, 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 Supervisor $80,570 32%
Machine Shop Production Supervisor I $65,714 7%
Packaging Supervisor $84,536 38%

Most common benefits for Press Operator III

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

Common company salaries for Press Operator III

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

Find Your Next Press Operator III Job

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

For Employees

Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.

Get a Salary Increase

Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.

Search Job Openings

For Employers

Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.

Adjust Employee Salary

Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.

Price My Industry Jobs

FAQ about Press Operator III

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

A Press Operator III'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 III earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Press Operator III is $77,141.

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

The highest pay for Press Operator III is $72,856.

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

The lowest pay for Press Operator III is $47,584.

4. What are the responsibilities of Press Operator III?

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. Independently performs a wide range of complex duties under general guidance from supervisors. Has gained full proficiency in a broad range of activities related to the job. Typically requires 5-7 years of related experience.

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

The Media industry offers the highest average compensation for Press Operator III roles, with salaries approximately 20% 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.

Are you an HR manager or compensation specialist?

Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers:

  • Detailed skills and competency reports for specific positions
  • Job and employee pricing reports
  • Compensation data tools, salary structures, surveys and benchmarks.
Learn about CompAnalyst
lower level job