Printing Press Operator salary in Lawrence, KS
Printing Press Operators in the Lawrence, KS metro area earn a median of $41,890 a year ($20.14 an hour), based on BLS data for 500 workers.
Pay ranges from $37,770 for the lowest-paid 10% to $60,990 for the top 10%. That is 8% lower than the national median of $45,780. Pay here is about the same as the Kansas statewide median of $41,890. There are 9.6 printing press operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 10.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $44,400, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for printing press operators in Lawrence, KS
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,770 | $18.16 |
| 25th percentile | $41,890 | $20.14 |
| Median | $41,890 | $20.14 |
| 75th percentile | $49,940 | $24.01 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $60,990 | $29.32 |
| Average (mean) | $44,400 | $21.34 |
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 | $3,490.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,745.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,611.15 |
| Weekly | $805.58 |
| Hourly | $20.14 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Joplin, MO-KS | $46,660 | 150 |
| Kansas City, MO-KS | $46,560 | 1,590 |
| Topeka, KS | $44,970 | 170 |
| Manhattan, KS | $37,500 | 50 |
| Wichita, KS | $36,030 | 310 |
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 Kansas statewide figures.
Related jobs in Lawrence, KS
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Prepress Technicians and Workers | $48,490 | $23.31 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $45,330 | $21.79 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $79,800 | $38.37 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $50,430 | $24.25 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $46,840 | $22.52 |
| Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $48,130 | $23.14 |
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | $60,530 | $29.10 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $48,180 | $23.16 |
| Baker | $32,710 | $15.73 |
| Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $48,700 | $23.41 |
| Helpers--Production Workers | $43,420 | $20.88 |
| Machinist | $50,460 | $24.26 |
| Mixing and Blending Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $46,800 | $22.50 |
| Butchers and Meat Cutters | $39,260 | $18.87 |
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 Lawrence, KS?
The median salary for printing press operators in the Lawrence, KS metro area is $41,890 a year, or $20.14 an hour. Pay ranges from $37,770 for the lowest-paid 10% to $60,990 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid printing press operators make in Lawrence, KS?
The top 10% of printing press operators in the Lawrence, KS metro area earn at least $60,990 a year. The top 25% earn $49,940 or more.
What is the starting pay for printing press operators in Lawrence, KS?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $37,770 a year, and a quarter of printing press operators earn $41,890 or less.
How many printing press operators work in Lawrence, KS?
About 500 printing press operators are employed in the Lawrence, KS metro area, not counting the self-employed.