Printing Press Operator salary in Johnson City, TN
Printing Press Operators in the Johnson City, TN metro area earn a median of $34,130 a year ($16.41 an hour), based on BLS data for 40 workers.
Pay ranges from $25,510 for the lowest-paid 10% to $47,170 for the top 10%. That is 25% lower than the national median of $45,780. Pay here is 21% lower than the Tennessee statewide median of $43,160. There are 0.55 printing press operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.59). The average (mean) salary is $36,400, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for printing press operators in Johnson City, TN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $25,510 | $12.26 |
| 25th percentile | $30,090 | $14.47 |
| Median | $34,130 | $16.41 |
| 75th percentile | $44,600 | $21.44 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $47,170 | $22.68 |
| Average (mean) | $36,400 | $17.50 |
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 | $2,844.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,422.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,312.69 |
| Weekly | $656.35 |
| Hourly | $16.41 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $48,620 | 110 |
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $46,220 | 1,320 |
| Knoxville, TN | $45,920 | 360 |
| Morristown, TN | $43,990 | 90 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $43,450 | 500 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $42,740 | 140 |
| Jackson, TN | $39,360 | 120 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $37,020 | 380 |
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 Tennessee statewide figures.
Related jobs in Johnson City, TN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $43,480 | $20.90 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $60,880 | $29.27 |
| Production Workers, All Other | $42,480 | $20.42 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $44,980 | $21.62 |
| Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $38,820 | $18.66 |
| Baker | $30,720 | $14.77 |
| Machinist | $45,550 | $21.90 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $46,070 | $22.15 |
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | $47,220 | $22.70 |
| Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers | $31,730 | $15.25 |
| Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $40,110 | $19.28 |
| Extruding and Drawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $42,140 | $20.26 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $35,390 | $17.02 |
| Butchers and Meat Cutters | $35,570 | $17.10 |
More: Production Occupations · all salaries in Johnson City, TN
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 Johnson City, TN?
The median salary for printing press operators in the Johnson City, TN metro area is $34,130 a year, or $16.41 an hour. Pay ranges from $25,510 for the lowest-paid 10% to $47,170 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid printing press operators make in Johnson City, TN?
The top 10% of printing press operators in the Johnson City, TN metro area earn at least $47,170 a year. The top 25% earn $44,600 or more.
What is the starting pay for printing press operators in Johnson City, TN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $25,510 a year, and a quarter of printing press operators earn $30,090 or less.
How many printing press operators work in Johnson City, TN?
About 40 printing press operators are employed in the Johnson City, TN metro area, not counting the self-employed.