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The differences between offset press operators and press operators assistant can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both an offset press operator and a press operator assistant. Additionally, an offset press operator has an average salary of $43,637, which is higher than the $32,707 average annual salary of a press operator assistant.
The top three skills for an offset press operator include hand tools, troubleshoot and general maintenance. The most important skills for a press operator assistant are customer service, data entry, and logistics.
| Offset Press Operator | Press Operator Assistant | |
| Yearly salary | $43,637 | $32,707 |
| Hourly rate | $20.98 | $15.72 |
| Growth rate | -5% | -8% |
| Number of jobs | 30,089 | 65,464 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 44% | Bachelor's Degree, 56% |
| Average age | 48 | 48 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
Offset Press Operators print different printed materials by setting up, adjusting, and operating offset printing presses. They adjust, clean, and lubricate the offset printing presses to attain successful printing operation. These professionals ensure the ink and plates have the correct registration and the critical pressure to give the printed material a clean and straightforward impression. Offset Press Operators inspect finished materials and work in progress to maintain the printing accuracy and quality standards. Also, they perform other assigned duties within the pressroom.
A press operator assistant is responsible for conducting various tasks such as maintaining the quality of machines, replenishing and securing the supplies attached, and operating printing equipment. Aside from this, they also have administrative duties ranging from overseeing the workflow and the workforce, conducting quality control inspections, producing progress reports, monitoring inventory, and even procuring supplies. There are also instances where a press operator assistant must clean devices and monitor efficiency to ensure smooth daily operations.
Offset press operators and press operators assistant have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Offset Press Operator | Press Operator Assistant | |
| Average salary | $43,637 | $32,707 |
| Salary range | Between $31,000 And $60,000 | Between $24,000 And $43,000 |
| Highest paying City | - | Vancouver, WA |
| Highest paying state | - | California |
| Best paying company | - | ZS |
| Best paying industry | - | Energy |
There are a few differences between an offset press operator and a press operator assistant in terms of educational background:
| Offset Press Operator | Press Operator Assistant | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 44% | Bachelor's Degree, 56% |
| Most common major | Graphic Communications | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between offset press operators' and press operators assistant' demographics:
| Offset Press Operator | Press Operator Assistant | |
| Average age | 48 | 48 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 84.8% Female, 15.2% | Male, 52.9% Female, 47.1% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 10.5% Unknown, 3.8% Hispanic or Latino, 14.7% Asian, 6.7% White, 63.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% | Black or African American, 10.1% Unknown, 3.5% Hispanic or Latino, 18.1% Asian, 7.5% White, 60.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% |
| LGBT Percentage | 5% | 5% |