Research Summary. Following comprehensive analysis by the Zippia data science team, we have compiled updated data on press operator salaries by state across the United States for 2026:
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New Hampshire boasts the highest press operator salary at $42,461.
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Alabama offers the lowest press operator salary at $28,839.
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The national average salary for press operators stands at $34,568.
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The national hourly wage for press operators is $16.62.
You can read more about the specific methodology used in this analysis.
Background
Consistently, salary remains the foremost consideration for job seekers, including those exploring opportunities as press operators. Understanding the compensation landscape is crucial, especially as job markets evolve and new industries emerge.
With significant shifts in the labor market due to technological advancements and changing employer expectations, it’s essential to look at average salaries for press operators by state, adjusted for seniority level. While your local market may deviate from state averages, these figures provide a reliable benchmark for salary expectations.
Currently, New Hampshire leads the nation in press operator salaries.
Here’s a quick overview of the top ten states for press operator salaries in 2026:
Now, let’s delve into the details and explore a comprehensive ranking of all states.
Highest-Paid Press Operators By State
| Rank | State | Average Press Operator Salary | 10th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Hampshire | $42,461 | $33,000 | $53,000 |
| 2 | Rhode Island | $42,129 | $32,000 | $53,000 |
| 3 | Vermont | $41,853 | $33,000 | $52,000 |
| 4 | Massachusetts | $41,483 | $32,000 | $52,000 |
| 5 | Connecticut | $41,238 | $32,000 | $52,000 |
| 6 | Nevada | $40,438 | $31,000 | $51,000 |
| 7 | Alaska | $40,351 | $34,000 | $47,000 |
| 8 | Delaware | $40,117 | $30,000 | $51,000 |
| 9 | Maine | $39,961 | $31,000 | $50,000 |
| 10 | Iowa | $38,715 | $31,000 | $48,000 |
| 11 | Montana | $38,658 | $30,000 | $48,000 |
| 12 | Maryland | $38,527 | $29,000 | $49,000 |
| 13 | Idaho | $38,412 | $30,000 | $48,000 |
| 14 | Ohio | $37,977 | $29,000 | $48,000 |
| 15 | West Virginia | $37,743 | $29,000 | $48,000 |
| 16 | South Dakota | $37,700 | $30,000 | $47,000 |
| 17 | North Dakota | $37,285 | $29,000 | $46,000 |
| 18 | Pennsylvania | $36,960 | $28,000 | $47,000 |
| 19 | Kentucky | $36,764 | $29,000 | $45,000 |
| 20 | California | $36,571 | $28,000 | $46,000 |
| 21 | Minnesota | $36,225 | $28,000 | $45,000 |
| 22 | Indiana | $36,183 | $28,000 | $45,000 |
| 23 | Wisconsin | $36,145 | $28,000 | $45,000 |
| 24 | Utah | $35,754 | $28,000 | $44,000 |
| 25 | Hawaii | $35,641 | $29,000 | $42,000 |
| 26 | Michigan | $35,580 | $27,000 | $45,000 |
| 27 | Wyoming | $35,502 | $28,000 | $44,000 |
| 28 | New York | $35,416 | $27,000 | $45,000 |
| 29 | Nebraska | $35,089 | $28,000 | $43,000 |
| 30 | Oregon | $34,837 | $27,000 | $43,000 |
| 31 | Louisiana | $34,747 | $27,000 | $44,000 |
| 32 | New Jersey | $34,162 | $26,000 | $44,000 |
| 33 | Illinois | $34,154 | $27,000 | $42,000 |
| 34 | Virginia | $34,002 | $26,000 | $43,000 |
| 35 | Tennessee | $33,802 | $27,000 | $42,000 |
| 36 | Georgia | $33,712 | $26,000 | $42,000 |
| 37 | Washington | $33,529 | $26,000 | $41,000 |
| 38 | Colorado | $33,120 | $26,000 | $41,000 |
| 39 | Kansas | $32,879 | $26,000 | $40,000 |
| 40 | New Mexico | $32,479 | $25,000 | $40,000 |
| 41 | Missouri | $32,440 | $26,000 | $40,000 |
| 42 | Oklahoma | $32,428 | $26,000 | $40,000 |
| 43 | Mississippi | $31,934 | $25,000 | $40,000 |
| 44 | North Carolina | $31,576 | $24,000 | $40,000 |
| 45 | Arkansas | $31,298 | $25,000 | $38,000 |
| 46 | Arizona | $30,705 | $24,000 | $38,000 |
| 47 | South Carolina | $30,116 | $23,000 | $38,000 |
| 48 | Florida | $29,854 | $23,000 | $38,000 |
| 49 | Texas | $29,606 | $23,000 | $37,000 |
| 50 | Alabama | $28,839 | $22,000 | $36,000 |
Methodology: Press Operator Salary By State
To provide insights into press operator salaries by state, Zippia has compiled data from various reliable sources, including the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the Federal Labor Commission (FLC), and the Office of Personnel Management (OPM). We augment this data with actual salary listings from job postings. The data science team then calculates a weighted average to derive the average salary for press operators by state.
We evaluated average annual salary data for press operators based on these estimates and ranked all states accordingly, with the highest salary state receiving the top ranking.
Press Operator Salary By State FAQs
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What is the highest-paid state for press operators?
The highest-paid state for press operators is New Hampshire, with an average salary of $42,461 per year.
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What city pays press operators the most?
Westfield, MA offers the highest salary for press operators, averaging $41,434 per year.
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What is the lowest-paying state for press operators?
The lowest-paying state for press operators is Alabama, with an average salary of $28,839 per year.
Author
Chris Kolmar is a co-founder of Zippia and the editor-in-chief of the Zippia career advice blog. He has hired over 50 people in his career, been hired five times, and wants to help you land your next job. His research has been featured on the New York Times, Thrillist, VOX, The Atlantic, and a host of local news. More recently, he's been quoted on USA Today, BusinessInsider, and CNBC.
