Printing Press Operator salary in Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN
Printing Press Operators in the Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN metro area earn a median of $39,100 a year ($18.80 an hour), based on BLS data for 70 workers.
Pay ranges from $31,260 for the lowest-paid 10% to $59,220 for the top 10%. That is 15% lower than the national median of $45,780. Pay here is 14% lower than the Indiana statewide median of $45,230. There are 0.67 printing press operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.72). The average (mean) salary is $44,450, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for printing press operators in Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,260 | $15.03 |
| 25th percentile | $36,990 | $17.78 |
| Median | $39,100 | $18.80 |
| 75th percentile | $49,440 | $23.77 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $59,220 | $28.47 |
| Average (mean) | $44,450 | $21.37 |
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 | $3,258.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,629.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,503.85 |
| Weekly | $751.92 |
| Hourly | $18.80 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $48,890 | 1,730 |
| Evansville, IN | $48,770 | 410 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $48,110 | 1,340 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $46,580 | 7,790 |
| Fort Wayne, IN | $46,360 | 300 |
| Terre Haute, IN | $45,150 | 340 |
| Elkhart-Goshen, IN | $45,140 | 160 |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | $44,810 | 1,770 |
| South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI | $43,990 | 100 |
| Bloomington, IN | $42,510 | 50 |
| Muncie, IN | $35,750 | 80 |
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 Indiana statewide figures.
Related jobs in Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $63,140 | $30.35 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $74,770 | $35.95 |
| Machinist | $62,220 | $29.91 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $49,460 | $23.78 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $49,020 | $23.57 |
| Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $52,710 | $25.34 |
| Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers | $38,730 | $18.62 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $44,920 | $21.60 |
| Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $47,520 | $22.85 |
| Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator | $57,280 | $27.54 |
| Food Batchmaker | $60,680 | $29.18 |
| Baker | $33,830 | $16.26 |
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | $54,720 | $26.31 |
| Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $44,430 | $21.36 |
More: Production Occupations · all salaries in Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN
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 Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN?
The median salary for printing press operators in the Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN metro area is $39,100 a year, or $18.80 an hour. Pay ranges from $31,260 for the lowest-paid 10% to $59,220 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid printing press operators make in Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN?
The top 10% of printing press operators in the Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN metro area earn at least $59,220 a year. The top 25% earn $49,440 or more.
What is the starting pay for printing press operators in Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $31,260 a year, and a quarter of printing press operators earn $36,990 or less.
How many printing press operators work in Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN?
About 70 printing press operators are employed in the Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN metro area, not counting the self-employed.