Printing Press Operator salary in Montana
Printing Press Operators in Montana earn a median of $42,220 a year ($20.30 an hour), based on BLS data for 300 workers.
Pay ranges from $31,200 for the lowest-paid 10% to $57,990 for the top 10%. That is 8% lower than the national median of $45,780. Montana ranks 35th of 51 states for printing press operators pay. There are 0.58 printing press operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.63). The average (mean) salary is $42,660, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for printing press operators in Montana
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,200 | $15.00 |
| 25th percentile | $34,250 | $16.47 |
| Median | $42,220 | $20.30 |
| 75th percentile | $47,810 | $22.99 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $57,990 | $27.88 |
| Average (mean) | $42,660 | $20.51 |
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 | $3,518.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,759.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,623.85 |
| Weekly | $811.92 |
| Hourly | $20.30 |
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 Montana
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Bozeman, MT | $47,300 | 50 |
| Helena, MT | $43,770 | 30 |
| Missoula, MT | $43,160 | 40 |
| Billings, MT | $36,160 | 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 Montana
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Print Binding and Finishing Workers | $36,220 | $17.41 |
| Prepress Technicians and Workers | $51,910 | $24.96 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $68,760 | $33.06 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $55,610 | $26.73 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $44,940 | $21.61 |
| Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers | $36,250 | $17.43 |
| Baker | $37,200 | $17.89 |
| Butchers and Meat Cutters | $41,600 | $20.00 |
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | $58,040 | $27.90 |
| Machinist | $60,920 | $29.29 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $58,070 | $27.92 |
| Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers | $98,310 | $47.26 |
| Cabinetmakers and Bench Carpenters | $47,920 | $23.04 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $44,350 | $21.32 |
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 Montana?
The median salary for printing press operators in Montana is $42,220 a year, or $20.30 an hour. Pay ranges from $31,200 for the lowest-paid 10% to $57,990 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid printing press operators make in Montana?
The top 10% of printing press operators in Montana earn at least $57,990 a year. The top 25% earn $47,810 or more.
What is the starting pay for printing press operators in Montana?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $31,200 a year, and a quarter of printing press operators earn $34,250 or less.
How many printing press operators work in Montana?
About 300 printing press operators are employed in Montana, not counting the self-employed.