Print finisher vs printer operator

The differences between print finishers and printer 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 print finisher and a printer operator. Additionally, a print finisher has an average salary of $36,601, which is higher than the $36,411 average annual salary of a printer operator.

The top three skills for a print finisher include digital printers, troubleshoot and . The most important skills for a printer operator are troubleshoot, quality checks, and quality standards.

Print finisher vs printer operator overview

	Print Finisher	Printer Operator
Yearly salary	$36,601	$36,411
Hourly rate	$17.60	$17.51
Growth rate	-2%	-
Number of jobs	2,493	43,730
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 30%	High School Diploma, 37%
Average age	48	48
Years of experience	4	4

Print finisher vs printer operator salary

Print finishers and printer operators have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Print Finisher	Printer Operator
Average salary	$36,601	$36,411
Salary range	Between $24,000 And $53,000	Between $24,000 And $53,000
Highest paying City	-	Providence, RI
Highest paying state	-	New Jersey
Best paying company	-	Quad
Best paying industry	-	Technology

Differences between print finisher and printer operator education

There are a few differences between a print finisher and a printer operator in terms of educational background:

	Print Finisher	Printer Operator
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 30%	High School Diploma, 37%
Most common major	Graphic Design	Business
Most common college	-	-

Print finisher vs printer operator demographics

Here are the differences between print finishers' and printer operators' demographics:

	Print Finisher	Printer Operator
Average age	48	48
Gender ratio	Male, 72.3% Female, 27.7%	Male, 68.1% Female, 31.9%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 8.5% Unknown, 3.7% Hispanic or Latino, 14.6% Asian, 7.9% White, 64.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%	Black or African American, 10.2% Unknown, 3.5% Hispanic or Latino, 18.5% Asian, 7.2% White, 60.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage	5%	5%

Differences between print finisher and printer operator duties and responsibilities

Print finisher example responsibilities.

Support local Ricoh account management and lead customer sales with solution expertise, demonstrations, prepare and present proposals.
Support local Ricoh account management and lead customer sales with solution expertise, demonstrations, prepare and present proposals.

Printer operator example responsibilities.

Manage day-to-day operations and supervise employees to ensure the studio run smoothly.
Operate UV and solvent printers.
Collate and bind print materials.
Record HD masters, clones.
Print operator using high speed OCE printers.
Handle rush orders and short delivery windows.

Print finisher vs printer operator skills

Common print finisher skills

Digital Printers, 68%
Troubleshoot, 32%

Common printer operator skills

Troubleshoot, 14%
Quality Checks, 9%
Quality Standards, 9%
Basic Math, 8%
Windows, 5%
Preventive Maintenance, 5%