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Printing Press Operators
Production · SOC 51-5112
0.0% AI Exposure — Low
$45,780
Median Annual Salary
Average
O*NET Outlook
15,800
Proj. Annual Openings
144,260
Employment (OEWS 2025)
100/100
AI Resiliency Score
AI exposure from the Anthropic Economic Index (2025); salary from BLS; skills from O*NET. See /sources.
AI Exposure Analysis
AI Exposure0.0%
AI Resiliency100/100
Exposure BandLow
Sector Avg. Exposure0.8%
Top Skills
1.Quality Control Analysis
2.Operations Monitoring
3.Monitoring
4.Operation and Control
5.Reading Comprehension
O*NET occupation profile
What this work involves
Set up and operate digital, letterpress, lithographic, flexographic, gravure, or other printing machines. Includes short-run offset printing presses.
Common titles: Digital Press Operator, Flexographic Press Operator, Offset Press Operator, Offset Pressman, Press Operator, Pressman
Representative Tasks
- •Start presses and pull proofs to check for ink coverage and density, alignment, and registration.
- •Examine job orders to determine quantities to be printed, stock specifications, colors, or special printing instructions.
- •Adjust ink fountain flow rates.
- •Verify that paper and ink meet the specifications for a given job.
- •Collect and inspect random samples during print runs to identify any necessary adjustments.
Detailed Work Activities
- •Inspected printed materials or other images to verify quality.
- •Operate photographic developing or print production equipment.
- •Read work orders or other instructions to determine product specifications or materials requirements.
- •Review blueprints or other instructions to determine operational methods or sequences.
- •Adjust equipment controls to regulate flow of production materials or products.
Tools & Technologies
Adobe Acrobat · hotAdobe Illustrator · hotAdobe InDesign · hotAdobe Photoshop · hotMicrosoft Outlook · hotSAP software · hotAdobe LifeCycle Production Print ES3Adobe PageMakerElectronics for Imaging EFI MonarchElectronics for Imaging EFI Pace
Employment Projections & AI Exposure
15
Occupations Shown
0.5%
Avg AI Exposure
1
Bright Outlook
Sector Comparison
| Metric | This Career | Sector Average |
|---|---|---|
| AI Exposure | 0.0% | 0.8% |
| Outlook | Average | 4% Bright |
| Median Salary | $45,780 | N/A |
| AI Resiliency | 100/100 | N/A |