Printing Press Operator salary in Columbia, SC
Printing Press Operators in the Columbia, SC metro area earn a median of $44,250 a year ($21.27 an hour), based on BLS data for 340 workers.
Pay ranges from $31,260 for the lowest-paid 10% to $59,250 for the top 10%. That is 3% lower than the national median of $45,780. Pay here is 9% higher than the South Carolina statewide median of $40,470. There are 0.86 printing press operators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $43,890, close to the median.
Pay range for printing press operators in Columbia, SC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,260 | $15.03 |
| 25th percentile | $37,230 | $17.90 |
| Median | $44,250 | $21.27 |
| 75th percentile | $47,840 | $23.00 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $59,250 | $28.49 |
| Average (mean) | $43,890 | $21.10 |
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 | $3,687.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,843.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,701.92 |
| Weekly | $850.96 |
| Hourly | $21.27 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Spartanburg, SC | $46,100 | 170 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $43,590 | 1,580 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | $43,580 | 490 |
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $42,540 | 130 |
| Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal, SC | $42,240 | 40 |
| Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC | $38,100 | 40 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $36,940 | 70 |
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 South Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Columbia, SC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Prepress Technicians and Workers | $43,400 | $20.87 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $42,230 | $20.31 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $76,420 | $36.74 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $48,310 | $23.23 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $41,340 | $19.87 |
| Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers | $35,660 | $17.15 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $49,730 | $23.91 |
| Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $43,790 | $21.05 |
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | $55,070 | $26.48 |
| Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers | $39,560 | $19.02 |
| Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $51,010 | $24.53 |
| Baker | $33,800 | $16.25 |
| Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers | $29,830 | $14.34 |
| Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders | $57,870 | $27.82 |
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 Columbia, SC?
The median salary for printing press operators in the Columbia, SC metro area is $44,250 a year, or $21.27 an hour. Pay ranges from $31,260 for the lowest-paid 10% to $59,250 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid printing press operators make in Columbia, SC?
The top 10% of printing press operators in the Columbia, SC metro area earn at least $59,250 a year. The top 25% earn $47,840 or more.
What is the starting pay for printing press operators in Columbia, SC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $31,260 a year, and a quarter of printing press operators earn $37,230 or less.
How many printing press operators work in Columbia, SC?
About 340 printing press operators are employed in the Columbia, SC metro area, not counting the self-employed.