How To Become A Press Operator Assistant: What It Is and Career Path

What is a press operator assistant and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

A press operator assistant makes sure that a press machine, which prints books, newspapers, and other publications, is working properly. Press operator assistants need to know a lot about machinery in order to adjust machine parts, refill ink and paper, and monitor the machine. They're responsible for the machine's upkeep by cleaning the different parts and conducting basic maintenance. Besides their work with the machine, press operator assistants handle other administrative tasks like keeping track of inventory, processing supply requests, and writing reports about the plant's operation. Sometimes, they work under the supervision of a more experienced press operator and assist their senior colleague with any necessary tasks.

About half of press operator assistants have a bachelor's degree. However, just as many find work with only a high school diploma. No matter their education levels, press operator assistants earn an average salary of $32,669 a year.

Most of the training to become a press operator assistant happens on the job. However, many assistants have a few years of customer service or administrative experience that helps them succeed in this position.

ScorePress Operator AssistantUS Average

Salary

2.6

Avg. Salary $32,707

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

7.6

Growth rate -8%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

4.1

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.50%

Asian 7.54%

Black or African American 10.09%

Hispanic or Latino 18.14%

Unknown 3.48%

White 60.25%

Gender

female 47.12%

male 52.88%

Age - 50

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 50

Stress level

7.6

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity level

8.4

Complexity level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work life balance

5.3

Work life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become a press operator assistant

Explore press operator assistant education requirements

Most common press operator assistant degrees

Bachelor's

55.7 %

Associate

17.2 %

High School Diploma

15.2 %

Start to develop specific press operator assistant skills

Skills	Percentages
Customer Service	27.86%
Data Entry	12.00%
Logistics	4.91%
Administrative Tasks	4.73%
Payroll	4.10%

Complete relevant press operator assistant training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 1-3 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New press operators assistant learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a press operator assistant based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real press operator assistant resumes.

Gain additional press operator assistant certifications

Press operator assistant certifications can show employers you have a baseline of knowledge expected for the position. Certifications can also make you a more competitive candidate. Even if employers don't require a specific press operator assistant certification, having one may help you stand out relative to other applicants.

The most common certifications for press operators assistant include Medical Assistant and Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA).

More About Certifications

Research press operator assistant duties and responsibilities

Manage animal orders with multiple vendors using Peoplesoft software.
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Maintain neat and orderly logs to stay in compliance with dot regulations.
Monitor CRT's for recorder and associate equipment and their operational status.

Prepare your press operator assistant resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your press operator assistant resume.

You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a press operator assistant resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose from 10+ customizable press operator assistant resume templates

Build a professional press operator assistant resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your press operator assistant resume.