Printing Press Operator salary in South Carolina
Printing Press Operators in South Carolina earn a median of $40,470 a year ($19.46 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,100 workers.
Pay ranges from $29,490 for the lowest-paid 10% to $59,010 for the top 10%. That is 12% lower than the national median of $45,780. South Carolina ranks 44th of 51 states for printing press operators pay. There are 0.91 printing press operators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $42,850, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for printing press operators in South Carolina
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $29,490 | $14.18 |
| 25th percentile | $36,640 | $17.61 |
| Median | $40,470 | $19.46 |
| 75th percentile | $47,640 | $22.91 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $59,010 | $28.37 |
| Average (mean) | $42,850 | $20.60 |
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 | $3,372.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,686.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,556.54 |
| Weekly | $778.27 |
| Hourly | $19.46 |
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 South Carolina
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Spartanburg, SC | $46,100 | 170 |
| Columbia, SC | $44,250 | 340 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $43,590 | 1,580 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | $43,580 | 490 |
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $42,540 | 130 |
| Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal, SC | $42,240 | 40 |
| Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC | $38,100 | 40 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $36,940 | 70 |
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 South Carolina
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Print Binding and Finishing Workers | $40,820 | $19.63 |
| Prepress Technicians and Workers | $45,900 | $22.07 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $45,500 | $21.88 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $77,500 | $37.26 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $46,890 | $22.54 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $49,980 | $24.03 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $40,010 | $19.24 |
| Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers | $46,210 | $22.22 |
| Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $45,740 | $21.99 |
| Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $44,420 | $21.35 |
| Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders | $56,240 | $27.04 |
| Machinist | $57,970 | $27.87 |
| Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $45,270 | $21.76 |
| Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers | $30,470 | $14.65 |
More: Production Occupations · all salaries in South 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 South Carolina?
The median salary for printing press operators in South Carolina is $40,470 a year, or $19.46 an hour. Pay ranges from $29,490 for the lowest-paid 10% to $59,010 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid printing press operators make in South Carolina?
The top 10% of printing press operators in South Carolina earn at least $59,010 a year. The top 25% earn $47,640 or more.
What is the starting pay for printing press operators in South Carolina?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $29,490 a year, and a quarter of printing press operators earn $36,640 or less.
How many printing press operators work in South Carolina?
About 2,100 printing press operators are employed in South Carolina, not counting the self-employed.