Printing Press Operator salary in Iowa
Printing Press Operators in Iowa earn a median of $40,790 a year ($19.61 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,070 workers.
Pay ranges from $30,130 for the lowest-paid 10% to $59,190 for the top 10%. That is 11% lower than the national median of $45,780. Iowa ranks 42nd of 51 states for printing press operators pay. There are 1.3 printing press operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $42,860, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for printing press operators in Iowa
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $30,130 | $14.48 |
| 25th percentile | $34,610 | $16.64 |
| Median | $40,790 | $19.61 |
| 75th percentile | $48,240 | $23.19 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $59,190 | $28.46 |
| Average (mean) | $42,860 | $20.61 |
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 | $3,399.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,699.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,568.85 |
| Weekly | $784.42 |
| Hourly | $19.61 |
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 Iowa
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa City, IA | $47,780 | 100 |
| Ames, IA | $46,850 | 150 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in Iowa
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Print Binding and Finishing Workers | $38,790 | $18.65 |
| Prepress Technicians and Workers | $47,770 | $22.97 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $48,920 | $23.52 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $74,750 | $35.94 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $55,090 | $26.49 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $50,740 | $24.40 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $45,660 | $21.95 |
| Food Processing Workers, All Other | $41,740 | $20.07 |
| Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator | $52,300 | $25.15 |
| Butchers and Meat Cutters | $37,750 | $18.15 |
| Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $48,910 | $23.51 |
| Slaughterers and Meat Packers | $43,820 | $21.07 |
| Food Batchmaker | $48,300 | $23.22 |
| Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers | $44,880 | $21.58 |
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 Iowa?
The median salary for printing press operators in Iowa is $40,790 a year, or $19.61 an hour. Pay ranges from $30,130 for the lowest-paid 10% to $59,190 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid printing press operators make in Iowa?
The top 10% of printing press operators in Iowa earn at least $59,190 a year. The top 25% earn $48,240 or more.
What is the starting pay for printing press operators in Iowa?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $30,130 a year, and a quarter of printing press operators earn $34,610 or less.
How many printing press operators work in Iowa?
About 2,070 printing press operators are employed in Iowa, not counting the self-employed.