Pay varies with the type of press that is operated. Pay also varies by area of the country. Workers covered by union contracts usually have higher earnings.
Full-time printing press operators generally receive benefits. Typical benefits include health insurance, paid vacation, and sick leave. Some employers also provide a retirement plan.
                Printing press operators (SOC 51-5112)
  
  
            
    | Location | Pay Period |  | ||
| 25% | Median | 75% | ||
| Illinois | Hourly | $18.13 | $23.29 | $28.67 | 
| Yearly | $37,705 | $48,436 | $59,619 | |
| Champaign Area | Hourly | $17.26 | $20.54 | $24.08 | 
| Yearly | $35,902 | $42,727 | $50,083 | |
| Charleston-Effingham-Centralia Area | Hourly | $18.93 | $22.41 | $27.29 | 
| Yearly | $39,363 | $46,617 | $56,772 | |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin | Hourly | $17.77 | $23.04 | $28.06 | 
| Yearly | $36,970 | $47,930 | $58,370 | |
| Cook County | Hourly | $18.06 | $23.64 | $29.02 | 
| Yearly | $37,567 | $49,176 | $60,366 | |
| Decatur Area | Hourly | $18.64 | $23.96 | $30.45 | 
| Yearly | $38,767 | $49,820 | $63,337 | |
| Dekalb-Elgin-Aurora Area | Hourly | $19.68 | $27.23 | $29.46 | 
| Yearly | $40,932 | $56,631 | $61,261 | |
| Du Page County | Hourly | $18.18 | $23.81 | $28.67 | 
| Yearly | $37,825 | $49,539 | $59,616 | |
| Edwardsville Area | Hourly | $17.43 | $23.72 | $26.77 | 
| Yearly | $36,263 | $49,343 | $55,667 | |
| Jacksonville-Carlinville-Litchfield Area | Hourly | $19.98 | $25.13 | $26.87 | 
| Yearly | $41,558 | $52,255 | $55,890 | |
| Kankakee-Morris-Pontiac Area | Hourly | $16.19 | $16.19 | $21.44 | 
| Yearly | $33,665 | $33,665 | $44,610 | |
| Lake County | Hourly | $18.56 | $23.99 | $28.45 | 
| Yearly | $38,608 | $49,902 | $59,168 | |
| McHenry County | Hourly | $14.86 | $18.38 | $27.15 | 
| Yearly | $30,892 | $38,223 | $56,463 | |
| Northwest Illinois Area | Hourly | $19.13 | $24.53 | $28.52 | 
| Yearly | $39,803 | $51,021 | $59,326 | |
| Peoria-Bloomington Area | Hourly | $18.07 | $23.27 | $30.03 | 
| Yearly | $37,590 | $48,396 | $62,459 | |
| Quincy-Macomb-Galesburg Area | Hourly | $17.02 | $21.10 | $22.96 | 
| Yearly | $35,409 | $43,891 | $47,749 | |
| Rock Island-Moline Area | Hourly | $17.17 | $17.42 | $24.40 | 
| Yearly | $35,731 | $36,243 | $50,753 | |
| Rockford Area | Hourly | $17.42 | $20.81 | $24.97 | 
| Yearly | $36,234 | $43,288 | $51,947 | |
| Springfield Area | Hourly | $17.46 | $18.16 | $23.71 | 
| Yearly | $36,332 | $37,774 | $49,320 | |
| Will County | Hourly | $18.06 | $22.22 | $27.17 | 
| Yearly | $37,567 | $46,216 | $56,503 | |
| United States | Hourly | $17.77 | $21.71 | $26.13 | 
| Yearly | $36,970 | $45,160 | $54,340 | |
 Occupation is in demand.
 Occupation is in demand.