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The differences between printer operators and offset press 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 printer operator and an offset press operator. Additionally, an offset press operator has an average salary of $43,637, which is higher than the $36,411 average annual salary of a printer operator.
The top three skills for a printer operator include troubleshoot, quality checks and quality standards. The most important skills for an offset press operator are hand tools, troubleshoot, and general maintenance.
| Printer Operator | Offset Press Operator | |
| Yearly salary | $36,411 | $43,637 |
| Hourly rate | $17.51 | $20.98 |
| Growth rate | - | -5% |
| Number of jobs | 43,730 | 30,089 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 37% | High School Diploma, 44% |
| Average age | 48 | 48 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
A printer operator is tasked to operate, maintain, and troubleshoot all printing equipment in a company. This person performs all necessary printing requests coming from customers and the company and is expected to have a working knowledge of various printing equipment and printing techniques to assure quality. The printer operator must also know about design, use of color, and other creative aspects to provide last-minute adjustments on printing jobs to avoid later revisions. The printer operator is vital personnel in businesses like publishing companies and creative houses.
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.
Printer operators and offset press operators have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Printer Operator | Offset Press Operator | |
| Average salary | $36,411 | $43,637 |
| Salary range | Between $24,000 And $53,000 | Between $31,000 And $60,000 |
| Highest paying City | Providence, RI | - |
| Highest paying state | New Jersey | - |
| Best paying company | Quad | - |
| Best paying industry | Technology | - |
There are a few differences between a printer operator and an offset press operator in terms of educational background:
| Printer Operator | Offset Press Operator | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 37% | High School Diploma, 44% |
| Most common major | Business | Graphic Communications |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between printer operators' and offset press operators' demographics:
| Printer Operator | Offset Press Operator | |
| Average age | 48 | 48 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 68.1% Female, 31.9% | Male, 84.8% Female, 15.2% |
| Race ratio | 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% | 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% |
| LGBT Percentage | 5% | 5% |