Printing Press Operator salary in Kentucky
Printing Press Operators in Kentucky earn a median of $48,000 a year ($23.08 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,470 workers.
Pay ranges from $34,920 for the lowest-paid 10% to $63,720 for the top 10%. That is 5% higher than the national median of $45,780. Kentucky ranks 8th of 51 states for printing press operators pay. There are 1.2 printing press operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $49,510, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for printing press operators in Kentucky
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $34,920 | $16.79 |
| 25th percentile | $41,340 | $19.87 |
| Median | $48,000 | $23.08 |
| 75th percentile | $59,140 | $28.43 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $63,720 | $30.64 |
| Average (mean) | $49,510 | $23.80 |
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 | $4,000 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,000 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,846.15 |
| Weekly | $923.08 |
| Hourly | $23.08 |
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 Kentucky
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $48,890 | 1,730 |
| Paducah, KY-IL | $48,890 | 40 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $48,620 | 110 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $48,110 | 1,340 |
| Lexington-Fayette, KY | $47,400 | 350 |
| Bowling Green, KY | $45,100 | 90 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $35,040 | 60 |
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 Kentucky
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Prepress Technicians and Workers | $45,830 | $22.03 |
| Print Binding and Finishing Workers | $39,620 | $19.05 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $47,950 | $23.05 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $72,490 | $34.85 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $46,280 | $22.25 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $45,450 | $21.85 |
| Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $45,760 | $22.00 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $51,470 | $24.74 |
| Machinist | $58,660 | $28.20 |
| Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $54,960 | $26.42 |
| Food Batchmaker | $46,900 | $22.55 |
| Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $47,110 | $22.65 |
| Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders | $57,530 | $27.66 |
| Helpers--Production Workers | $42,130 | $20.26 |
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 Kentucky?
The median salary for printing press operators in Kentucky is $48,000 a year, or $23.08 an hour. Pay ranges from $34,920 for the lowest-paid 10% to $63,720 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid printing press operators make in Kentucky?
The top 10% of printing press operators in Kentucky earn at least $63,720 a year. The top 25% earn $59,140 or more.
What is the starting pay for printing press operators in Kentucky?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $34,920 a year, and a quarter of printing press operators earn $41,340 or less.
How many printing press operators work in Kentucky?
About 2,470 printing press operators are employed in Kentucky, not counting the self-employed.