Printing Press Operator salary in North Carolina
Printing Press Operators in North Carolina earn a median of $45,630 a year ($21.94 an hour), based on BLS data for 3,910 workers.
Pay ranges from $29,600 for the lowest-paid 10% to $62,010 for the top 10%. That is about the same as the national median of $45,780. North Carolina ranks 23rd of 51 states for printing press operators pay. There are 0.79 printing press operators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $45,840, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for printing press operators in North Carolina
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $29,600 | $14.23 |
| 25th percentile | $36,910 | $17.74 |
| Median | $45,630 | $21.94 |
| 75th percentile | $53,670 | $25.81 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $62,010 | $29.81 |
| Average (mean) | $45,840 | $22.04 |
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 | $3,802.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,901.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,755 |
| Weekly | $877.50 |
| Hourly | $21.94 |
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 North Carolina
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC | $48,980 | 250 |
| Burlington, NC | $48,650 | 90 |
| Asheville, NC | $47,440 | 190 |
| Greenville, NC | $47,030 | 60 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $46,430 | 250 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $45,960 | 380 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | $45,600 | 630 |
| Rocky Mount, NC | $44,640 | 30 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $43,590 | 1,580 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $43,440 | 250 |
| Fayetteville, NC | $42,250 | 40 |
| Wilmington, NC | $38,780 | 90 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $38,650 | 510 |
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 North Carolina
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Print Binding and Finishing Workers | $39,580 | $19.03 |
| Prepress Technicians and Workers | $49,760 | $23.92 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $40,330 | $19.39 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $69,640 | $33.48 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $46,430 | $22.32 |
| Production Workers, All Other | $38,790 | $18.65 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $41,150 | $19.78 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $50,590 | $24.32 |
| Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers | $39,170 | $18.83 |
| Baker | $34,510 | $16.59 |
| Machinist | $55,230 | $26.56 |
| Sewing Machine Operator | $35,160 | $16.91 |
| Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $41,630 | $20.01 |
| Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers | $45,080 | $21.68 |
More: Production Occupations · all salaries in North Carolina
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 North Carolina?
The median salary for printing press operators in North Carolina is $45,630 a year, or $21.94 an hour. Pay ranges from $29,600 for the lowest-paid 10% to $62,010 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid printing press operators make in North Carolina?
The top 10% of printing press operators in North Carolina earn at least $62,010 a year. The top 25% earn $53,670 or more.
What is the starting pay for printing press operators in North Carolina?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $29,600 a year, and a quarter of printing press operators earn $36,910 or less.
How many printing press operators work in North Carolina?
About 3,910 printing press operators are employed in North Carolina, not counting the self-employed.