Prepress Technicians and Workers salary in California
Prepress Technicians and Workers in California earn a median of $53,860 a year ($25.89 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,020 workers.
Pay ranges from $38,870 for the lowest-paid 10% to $76,420 for the top 10%. That is 11% higher than the national median of $48,690. California ranks 8th of 45 states for prepress technicians and workers pay. There are 0.11 prepress technicians and workers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.72). The average (mean) salary is $55,580, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for prepress technicians and workers in California
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,870 | $18.69 |
| 25th percentile | $46,650 | $22.43 |
| Median | $53,860 | $25.89 |
| 75th percentile | $61,780 | $29.70 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $76,420 | $36.74 |
| Average (mean) | $55,580 | $26.72 |
Half of prepress technicians and workers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $4,488.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,244.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,071.54 |
| Weekly | $1,035.77 |
| Hourly | $25.89 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Prepress Technicians and Workers salary in cities in California
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $66,670 | 80 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $59,970 | 200 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $55,560 | 130 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $53,410 | 160 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $51,410 | 110 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $51,380 | 1,080 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $51,180 | 50 |
| Fresno, CA | $50,890 | 40 |
Highest-paying states for prepress technicians and workers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $100,980 |
| Maryland | $60,770 |
| Massachusetts | $57,250 |
| New Jersey | $56,840 |
| Vermont | $55,880 |
| Nevada | $55,680 |
| Oregon | $54,360 |
| California | $53,860 |
| Washington | $53,770 |
| Arkansas | $52,800 |
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Printing Press Operator | $46,110 | $22.17 |
| Print Binding and Finishing Workers | $45,390 | $21.82 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $47,720 | $22.94 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $54,300 | $26.11 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $76,840 | $36.94 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $44,020 | $21.16 |
| Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers | $48,080 | $23.12 |
| Baker | $43,120 | $20.73 |
| Production Workers, All Other | $41,670 | $20.03 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $58,060 | $27.91 |
| Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers | $37,790 | $18.17 |
| Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator | $56,510 | $27.17 |
| Machinist | $57,190 | $27.49 |
| Butchers and Meat Cutters | $44,290 | $21.29 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 51-5111. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a prepress technicians and workers make in California?
The median salary for prepress technicians and workers in California is $53,860 a year, or $25.89 an hour. Pay ranges from $38,870 for the lowest-paid 10% to $76,420 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid prepress technicians and workers make in California?
The top 10% of prepress technicians and workers in California earn at least $76,420 a year. The top 25% earn $61,780 or more.
What is the starting pay for prepress technicians and workers in California?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $38,870 a year, and a quarter of prepress technicians and workers earn $46,650 or less.
How many prepress technicians and workers work in California?
About 2,020 prepress technicians and workers are employed in California, not counting the self-employed.