Printing Press Operator salary in South Dakota
Printing Press Operators in South Dakota earn a median of $44,930 a year ($21.60 an hour), based on BLS data for 460 workers.
Pay ranges from $33,980 for the lowest-paid 10% to $63,800 for the top 10%. That is 2% lower than the national median of $45,780. South Dakota ranks 28th of 51 states for printing press operators pay. There are 1.0 printing press operators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $46,110, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for printing press operators in South Dakota
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $33,980 | $16.34 |
| 25th percentile | $35,810 | $17.22 |
| Median | $44,930 | $21.60 |
| 75th percentile | $51,990 | $25.00 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $63,800 | $30.67 |
| Average (mean) | $46,110 | $22.17 |
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 | $3,744.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,872.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,728.08 |
| Weekly | $864.04 |
| Hourly | $21.60 |
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 Dakota
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Sioux Falls, SD-MN | $47,320 | 200 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $38,230 | 50 |
| Rapid City, SD | $37,550 | 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 |
Related jobs in South Dakota
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Print Binding and Finishing Workers | $41,350 | $19.88 |
| Prepress Technicians and Workers | $46,370 | $22.29 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $43,240 | $20.79 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $49,440 | $23.77 |
| Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers | $44,290 | $21.29 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $73,040 | $35.12 |
| Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator | $50,750 | $24.40 |
| Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $47,980 | $23.07 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $47,240 | $22.71 |
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | $53,370 | $25.66 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $43,860 | $21.09 |
| Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers | $43,180 | $20.76 |
| Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $40,750 | $19.59 |
| Machinist | $50,890 | $24.47 |
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 Dakota?
The median salary for printing press operators in South Dakota is $44,930 a year, or $21.60 an hour. Pay ranges from $33,980 for the lowest-paid 10% to $63,800 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid printing press operators make in South Dakota?
The top 10% of printing press operators in South Dakota earn at least $63,800 a year. The top 25% earn $51,990 or more.
What is the starting pay for printing press operators in South Dakota?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $33,980 a year, and a quarter of printing press operators earn $35,810 or less.
How many printing press operators work in South Dakota?
About 460 printing press operators are employed in South Dakota, not counting the self-employed.