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The differences between press assistants and digital print operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a press assistant and a digital print operator. Additionally, a press assistant has an average salary of $33,732, which is higher than the $31,749 average annual salary of a digital print operator.
The top three skills for a press assistant include hand tools, preventative maintenance and safety policies. The most important skills for a digital print operator are quality checks, image quality, and quality standards.
| Press Assistant | Digital Print Operator | |
| Yearly salary | $33,732 | $31,749 |
| Hourly rate | $16.22 | $15.26 |
| Growth rate | -5% | - |
| Number of jobs | 5,056 | 46,110 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 38% | Bachelor's Degree, 35% |
| Average age | 48 | 48 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
Press assistants require physical fitness, stamina, and inventory management skills. Some of the job responsibilities consist of supervising and operating the press machine that produces newspapers, magazines, and books. Press assistants can be hired as consultants, or work for a specific agency, business, or individual.
A digital print operator is primarily in charge of preparing and processing custom prints according to client orders, ensuring efficiency and client satisfaction. It is their duty to identify and take note of the client's needs and preferences, operate printing machines and equipment, and complete orders within deadlines. They also assist clients by answering inquiries, offering recommendations or alternatives, and promptly and professionally solving complaints. Moreover, a digital print operator must also handle calls and correspondence, maintain records of all transactions, monitor supply inventories, perform regular maintenance checks on equipment, and conduct basic repairs when necessary.
Press assistants and digital print operators have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Press Assistant | Digital Print Operator | |
| Average salary | $33,732 | $31,749 |
| Salary range | Between $26,000 And $42,000 | Between $26,000 And $37,000 |
| Highest paying City | Leominster, MA | Clifton, NJ |
| Highest paying state | Washington | Washington |
| Best paying company | CPI Card Group | Quad |
| Best paying industry | Transportation | Manufacturing |
There are a few differences between a press assistant and a digital print operator in terms of educational background:
| Press Assistant | Digital Print Operator | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 38% | Bachelor's Degree, 35% |
| Most common major | Political Science | Graphic Design |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between press assistants' and digital print operators' demographics:
| Press Assistant | Digital Print Operator | |
| Average age | 48 | 48 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 77.0% Female, 23.0% | Male, 74.8% Female, 25.2% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 10.4% Unknown, 3.5% Hispanic or Latino, 15.6% Asian, 7.2% White, 62.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% | Black or African American, 9.8% Unknown, 3.5% Hispanic or Latino, 17.6% Asian, 7.4% White, 61.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% |
| LGBT Percentage | 5% | 5% |