Printing Press Operator salary in Ames, IA
Printing Press Operators in the Ames, IA metro area earn a median of $46,850 a year ($22.52 an hour), based on BLS data for 150 workers.
Pay ranges from $33,330 for the lowest-paid 10% to $72,720 for the top 10%. That is 2% higher than the national median of $45,780. Pay here is 15% higher than the Iowa statewide median of $40,790. There are 2.6 printing press operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.8× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $51,500, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for printing press operators in Ames, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $33,330 | $16.03 |
| 25th percentile | $35,250 | $16.95 |
| Median | $46,850 | $22.52 |
| 75th percentile | $65,770 | $31.62 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $72,720 | $34.96 |
| Average (mean) | $51,500 | $24.76 |
Half of printing press operators 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 | $3,904.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,952.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,801.92 |
| Weekly | $900.96 |
| Hourly | $22.52 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Printing Press Operator salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa City, IA | $47,780 | 100 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $43,450 | 520 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $42,970 | 260 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $42,070 | 1,680 |
| Dubuque, IA | $40,560 | 50 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $40,540 | 90 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $38,230 | 50 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $37,710 | 150 |
Highest-paying states for printing press operators
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $116,630 |
| Massachusetts | $53,050 |
| New Jersey | $50,430 |
| Washington | $49,800 |
| Oregon | $48,760 |
| Minnesota | $48,560 |
| New Hampshire | $48,410 |
| Kentucky | $48,000 |
| Colorado | $47,860 |
| New York | $47,860 |
See Printing Press Operator pay in every state or the Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Ames, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Prepress Technicians and Workers | $54,460 | $26.18 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $49,360 | $23.73 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $74,160 | $35.65 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $48,250 | $23.20 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $61,820 | $29.72 |
| Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $49,670 | $23.88 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $58,560 | $28.15 |
| Butchers and Meat Cutters | $36,110 | $17.36 |
| Food Batchmaker | $50,950 | $24.50 |
| Mixing and Blending Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $52,020 | $25.01 |
| Baker | $36,520 | $17.56 |
| Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers | $39,080 | $18.79 |
| Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders | $62,300 | $29.95 |
| Production Workers, All Other | $70,690 | $33.99 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 51-5112. 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 printing press operator make in Ames, IA?
The median salary for printing press operators in the Ames, IA metro area is $46,850 a year, or $22.52 an hour. Pay ranges from $33,330 for the lowest-paid 10% to $72,720 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid printing press operators make in Ames, IA?
The top 10% of printing press operators in the Ames, IA metro area earn at least $72,720 a year. The top 25% earn $65,770 or more.
What is the starting pay for printing press operators in Ames, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $33,330 a year, and a quarter of printing press operators earn $35,250 or less.
How many printing press operators work in Ames, IA?
About 150 printing press operators are employed in the Ames, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.