Printing Press Operator salary in Memphis, TN-MS-AR
Printing Press Operators in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area earn a median of $43,450 a year ($20.89 an hour), based on BLS data for 500 workers.
Pay ranges from $33,070 for the lowest-paid 10% to $58,650 for the top 10%. That is 5% lower than the national median of $45,780. Pay here is 1% higher than the Tennessee statewide median of $43,160. There are 0.81 printing press operators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $44,660, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for printing press operators in Memphis, TN-MS-AR
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $33,070 | $15.90 |
| 25th percentile | $37,310 | $17.94 |
| Median | $43,450 | $20.89 |
| 75th percentile | $50,110 | $24.09 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $58,650 | $28.20 |
| Average (mean) | $44,660 | $21.47 |
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 | $3,620.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,810.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,671.15 |
| Weekly | $835.58 |
| Hourly | $20.89 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Fort Smith, AR-OK | $56,350 | 180 |
| Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR | $49,840 | 480 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $48,620 | 110 |
| Gulfport-Biloxi, MS | $46,900 | 80 |
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $46,220 | 1,320 |
| Knoxville, TN | $45,920 | 360 |
| Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR | $45,220 | 370 |
| Jonesboro, AR | $44,300 | 60 |
| Morristown, TN | $43,990 | 90 |
| Jackson, MS | $43,820 | 230 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $42,740 | 140 |
| Jackson, TN | $39,360 | 120 |
| Hot Springs, AR | $38,870 | 60 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $37,020 | 380 |
| Hattiesburg, MS | $35,570 | 40 |
| Johnson City, TN | $34,130 | 40 |
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 Memphis, TN-MS-AR
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Print Binding and Finishing Workers | $37,120 | $17.85 |
| Prepress Technicians and Workers | $47,790 | $22.97 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $38,530 | $18.52 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $44,910 | $21.59 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $65,990 | $31.73 |
| Production Workers, All Other | $38,350 | $18.44 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $48,600 | $23.37 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $42,570 | $20.47 |
| Machinist | $59,220 | $28.47 |
| Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers | $31,560 | $15.17 |
| Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $50,470 | $24.26 |
| Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator | $59,270 | $28.50 |
| Baker | $33,400 | $16.06 |
| Food Batchmaker | $38,010 | $18.28 |
More: Production Occupations · all salaries in Memphis, TN-MS-AR
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 Memphis, TN-MS-AR?
The median salary for printing press operators in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area is $43,450 a year, or $20.89 an hour. Pay ranges from $33,070 for the lowest-paid 10% to $58,650 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid printing press operators make in Memphis, TN-MS-AR?
The top 10% of printing press operators in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area earn at least $58,650 a year. The top 25% earn $50,110 or more.
What is the starting pay for printing press operators in Memphis, TN-MS-AR?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $33,070 a year, and a quarter of printing press operators earn $37,310 or less.
How many printing press operators work in Memphis, TN-MS-AR?
About 500 printing press operators are employed in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area, not counting the self-employed.