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The differences between press operators printing and compositors 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 operator printing and a compositor. Additionally, a compositor has an average salary of $45,101, which is higher than the $40,520 average annual salary of a press operator printing.
The top three skills for a press operator printing include quality standards, quality checks and flexo. The most important skills for a compositor are VFX, visual effects, and animation.
| Press Operator Printing | Compositor | |
| Yearly salary | $40,520 | $45,101 |
| Hourly rate | $19.48 | $21.68 |
| Growth rate | -5% | - |
| Number of jobs | 34,403 | 154 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 51% | Bachelor's Degree, 76% |
| Average age | 48 | 48 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
A Printing Press Operator works on operating the printing machine of a publishing house. This person has advanced knowledge in the printing process, the repair, maintenance, and operation of various printing presses and provides input in color, design, and layout. The operator needs to have an idea of paper types, the quality of raw printing materials, and their uses. This person has the final decision before actual printing, and the outcome of a project rests entirely on his/her shoulders at this stage.
Compositors are the creators of a frame, shot, or sequence final image. They usually combine various digital elements to produce a believable picture. Following the direction of the style chosen for the set is part of these compositors' responsibilities. These workers create their visual effects and high-quality composites using special effects (SFX) like 2D and 3D animation and CGIs. They use these digital elements to create convincing shadows, enhance a picture's lighting, and static background plates.
Press operators printing and compositors have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Press Operator Printing | Compositor | |
| Average salary | $40,520 | $45,101 |
| Salary range | Between $31,000 And $52,000 | Between $23,000 And $85,000 |
| Highest paying City | Harrisonburg, VA | Pittsfield, MA |
| Highest paying state | Washington | New Jersey |
| Best paying company | Sonoco | Dassault Systèmes |
| Best paying industry | Energy | - |
There are a few differences between a press operator printing and a compositor in terms of educational background:
| Press Operator Printing | Compositor | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 51% | Bachelor's Degree, 76% |
| Most common major | Business | Animation |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between press operators printing' and compositors' demographics:
| Press Operator Printing | Compositor | |
| Average age | 48 | 48 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 83.5% Female, 16.5% | Male, 62.7% Female, 37.3% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 10.5% Unknown, 3.7% Hispanic or Latino, 15.7% Asian, 6.9% White, 62.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% | Black or African American, 9.0% Unknown, 3.5% Hispanic or Latino, 19.2% Asian, 7.3% White, 60.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% |
| LGBT Percentage | 5% | 5% |