Occupations/51-5112.00
Printing Press Operators
Set up and operate digital, letterpress, lithographic, flexographic, gravure, or other printing machines. Includes short-run offset printing presses.
Usually a high school diploma, plus some experience or short training.
AI automation risk
71%
Higher automation risk
Human characteristics
37%
Fewer uniquely human demands
Task orientation
73%
Higher automation risk
A day in this job
- Mostly routine
Examine job orders to determine quantities to be printed, stock specifications, colors, or special printing instructions.
- Mostly routine
Collect and inspect random samples during print runs to identify any necessary adjustments.
- Task
Start presses and pull proofs to check for ink coverage and density, alignment, and registration.
The tasks we can read here lean routine. That sits next to the AI risk rank — it is not a forecast that the job disappears.
Core tasks
- 01Start presses and pull proofs to check for ink coverage and density, alignment, and registration.
- 02Examine job orders to determine quantities to be printed, stock specifications, colors, or special printing instructions.
- 03Adjust ink fountain flow rates.
- 04Verify that paper and ink meet the specifications for a given job.
- 05Collect and inspect random samples during print runs to identify any necessary adjustments.
- 06Feed paper through press cylinders and adjust feed and tension controls.
Model drivers (O*NET 1–5)
- Repeating same tasks3.61
- Degree of automation2.61
- Time sitting1.67
- Originality (ability)2.38
- Conflict situations2.40
- Hands-on objects/tools4.72
- Outdoors / weather1.13
- Disease exposure1.00
- Decision freedom4.14
Top abilities
- Near Vision4.00
- Control Precision3.50
- Problem Sensitivity3.38
- Manual Dexterity3.25
- Arm-Hand Steadiness3.25
- Written Comprehension3.12
- Visualization3.12
- Speech Recognition3.12
Essential skills
- Reading Comprehension3.12
- Active Listening3.12
- Writing2.38
- Speaking3.12
- Mathematics2.12
- Science1.00
- Critical Thinking3.12
- Active Learning2.88
- Learning Strategies2.12
- Monitoring3.25
CIP matches
Schools offering related programs
12 of 13 shown
Earnings are College Scorecard medians for that program, 1 and 2 years after completion. A dash means the Department suppressed the cell or the campus is not in the field file.
| Institution | Program | Tuition | Admit | Grad 6-yr | Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
University of California-Berkeley Berkeley, CA · Public | Printing Management 10.0302 | $14,800 | 11% | 93% | 1 yr $53,894 2 yr $52,385 Bachelor's · CIP 10.03 |
Arizona State University Campus Immersion Tempe, AZ · Public | Printing Management 10.0302 | $12,000 | 90% | 69% | 1 yr $39,467 2 yr $36,368 Bachelor's · CIP 10.03 |
North Dakota State University Fargo, ND · Public | Printing Management 10.0302 | $10,900 | 96% | 68% | 1 yr $37,568 2 yr — Bachelor's · CIP 10.03 |
University of Minnesota-Duluth Duluth, MN · Public | Printing Management 10.0302 | $14,100 | 81% | 71% | 1 yr $35,416 2 yr $40,896 Bachelor's · CIP 10.03 |
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Blacksburg, VA · Public | Printing Management 10.0302 | $15,200 | 57% | 86% | 1 yr $31,670 2 yr $33,993 Bachelor's · CIP 10.03 |
Anoka-Ramsey Community College Coon Rapids, MN · Public | Printing Management 10.0302 | $5,800 | 100% | 33% | 1 yr — 2 yr — Certificate · CIP 10.03 |
Minneapolis Community and Technical College Minneapolis, MN · Public | Printing Management 10.0302 | $5,900 | 100% | 28% | 1 yr — 2 yr — Certificate · CIP 10.03 |
Saint Paul College St. Paul, MN · Public | Printing Management 10.0302 | $6,100 | 100% | 29% | 1 yr — 2 yr — Certificate · CIP 10.03 |
The University of Texas at Austin Austin, TX · Public | Printing Management 10.0302 | $11,700 | 31% | 88% | 1 yr — 2 yr — Certificate · CIP 10.03 |
New York University New York, NY · Private nonprofit | Printing Management 10.0302 | $60,400 | 12% | 88% | 1 yr — 2 yr — Bachelor's · CIP 10.03 |
Miami Dade College Miami, FL · Public | Printing Management 10.0302 | $2,900 | 100% | 41% | 1 yr — 2 yr — Associate · CIP 10.03 |
Ohio State University-Main Campus Columbus, OH · Public | Printing Management 10.0302 | $12,800 | 53% | 83% | 1 yr — 2 yr — Master's · CIP 10.03 |