Printing Press Operator salary in Tucson, AZ
Printing Press Operators in the Tucson, AZ metro area earn a median of $42,900 a year ($20.62 an hour), based on BLS data for 260 workers.
Pay ranges from $33,080 for the lowest-paid 10% to $55,830 for the top 10%. That is 6% lower than the national median of $45,780. Pay here is about the same as the Arizona statewide median of $42,950. There are 0.66 printing press operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.71). The average (mean) salary is $42,790, close to the median.
Pay range for printing press operators in Tucson, AZ
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $33,080 | $15.90 |
| 25th percentile | $36,590 | $17.59 |
| Median | $42,900 | $20.62 |
| 75th percentile | $46,170 | $22.20 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $55,830 | $26.84 |
| Average (mean) | $42,790 | $20.57 |
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 | $3,575 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,787.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,650 |
| Weekly | $825 |
| Hourly | $20.62 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ | $42,950 | 1,900 |
| Prescott Valley-Prescott, AZ | $37,600 | 100 |
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 Arizona statewide figures.
Related jobs in Tucson, AZ
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Print Binding and Finishing Workers | $39,740 | $19.11 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $41,330 | $19.87 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $59,080 | $28.40 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $70,260 | $33.78 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $51,150 | $24.59 |
| Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers | $45,540 | $21.90 |
| Machinist | $55,700 | $26.78 |
| Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers | $73,930 | $35.54 |
| Baker | $37,590 | $18.07 |
| Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers | $34,450 | $16.56 |
| Butchers and Meat Cutters | $44,970 | $21.62 |
| Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $46,290 | $22.26 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $37,410 | $17.99 |
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | $58,390 | $28.07 |
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 Tucson, AZ?
The median salary for printing press operators in the Tucson, AZ metro area is $42,900 a year, or $20.62 an hour. Pay ranges from $33,080 for the lowest-paid 10% to $55,830 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid printing press operators make in Tucson, AZ?
The top 10% of printing press operators in the Tucson, AZ metro area earn at least $55,830 a year. The top 25% earn $46,170 or more.
What is the starting pay for printing press operators in Tucson, AZ?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $33,080 a year, and a quarter of printing press operators earn $36,590 or less.
How many printing press operators work in Tucson, AZ?
About 260 printing press operators are employed in the Tucson, AZ metro area, not counting the self-employed.