Printing Press Operator salary in Colorado
Printing Press Operators in Colorado earn a median of $47,860 a year ($23.01 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,830 workers.
Pay ranges from $37,400 for the lowest-paid 10% to $63,270 for the top 10%. That is 5% higher than the national median of $45,780. Colorado ranks 9th of 51 states for printing press operators pay. There are 0.64 printing press operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.69). The average (mean) salary is $49,120, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for printing press operators in Colorado
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,400 | $17.98 |
| 25th percentile | $40,520 | $19.48 |
| Median | $47,860 | $23.01 |
| 75th percentile | $52,250 | $25.12 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $63,270 | $30.42 |
| Average (mean) | $49,120 | $23.61 |
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 | $3,988.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,994.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,840.77 |
| Weekly | $920.38 |
| Hourly | $23.01 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Printing Press Operator salary in cities in Colorado
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | $49,210 | 1,100 |
| Boulder, CO | $48,910 | 190 |
| Fort Collins-Loveland, CO | $45,790 | 120 |
| Greeley, CO | $44,410 | 70 |
| Grand Junction, CO | $43,490 | 50 |
| Colorado Springs, CO | $42,470 | 160 |
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 |
Related jobs in Colorado
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Print Binding and Finishing Workers | $45,780 | $22.01 |
| Prepress Technicians and Workers | $51,730 | $24.87 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $78,890 | $37.93 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $46,150 | $22.19 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $58,350 | $28.06 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $58,590 | $28.17 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $46,010 | $22.12 |
| Baker | $40,650 | $19.55 |
| Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers | $47,660 | $22.91 |
| Food Batchmaker | $44,900 | $21.59 |
| Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers | $37,680 | $18.11 |
| Machinist | $60,200 | $28.94 |
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | $74,200 | $35.68 |
| Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers | $50,390 | $24.23 |
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 Colorado?
The median salary for printing press operators in Colorado is $47,860 a year, or $23.01 an hour. Pay ranges from $37,400 for the lowest-paid 10% to $63,270 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid printing press operators make in Colorado?
The top 10% of printing press operators in Colorado earn at least $63,270 a year. The top 25% earn $52,250 or more.
What is the starting pay for printing press operators in Colorado?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $37,400 a year, and a quarter of printing press operators earn $40,520 or less.
How many printing press operators work in Colorado?
About 1,830 printing press operators are employed in Colorado, not counting the self-employed.