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As of October 2025, the average salary for a press operator helper in the United States is $33,649 per year or about $16 per hour. This salary can vary significantly based on geographical location, years of experience, and the specific industry sector involved.
For example, states like California and Texas often offer higher salaries due to the demand for manufacturing jobs, while smaller states may present lower salary averages. In addition, press operator helpers with more experience typically earn higher wages, reflecting their enhanced skills and efficiency.
The role of a press operator helper is primarily to assist in operating machinery and ensuring quality production. This position serves as a stepping stone for career advancement within the manufacturing field. With further training and experience, individuals can progress to become fully-fledged press operators or even operations supervisors, enhancing their earning potential significantly.
To maximize job opportunities, candidates should consider applying in metropolitan areas where manufacturing is concentrated, as these locations tend to offer more competitive salaries and job openings.
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The average press operator helper salary in Washington, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts are the highest in the U.S. The lowest average press operator helper salary states are North Carolina, Iowa, and Texas.
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rhode Island | $44,008 | $21.16 |
| 2 | Massachusetts | $43,191 | $20.76 |
| 3 | Maine | $40,681 | $19.56 |
| 4 | New Jersey | $42,046 | $20.21 |
| 5 | Alaska | $40,466 | $19.45 |
| 6 | Minnesota | $40,088 | $19.27 |
| 7 | Ohio | $37,891 | $18.22 |
| 8 | Washington | $45,720 | $21.98 |
| 9 | North Dakota | $39,984 | $19.22 |
| 10 | Wisconsin | $37,120 | $17.85 |
| 11 | Oregon | $40,968 | $19.70 |
| 12 | Vermont | $39,930 | $19.20 |
| 13 | Connecticut | $42,352 | $20.36 |
| 14 | Idaho | $38,076 | $18.31 |
| 15 | Virginia | $38,977 | $18.74 |
| 16 | Montana | $36,009 | $17.31 |
| 17 | Pennsylvania | $34,603 | $16.64 |
| 18 | Wyoming | $38,355 | $18.44 |
| 19 | New Hampshire | $36,123 | $17.37 |
| 20 | Tennessee | $32,430 | $15.59 |
| 21 | Kansas | $34,427 | $16.55 |
| 22 | Nebraska | $33,883 | $16.29 |
| 23 | New York | $38,277 | $18.40 |
| 24 | South Dakota | $35,373 | $17.01 |
| 25 | District of Columbia | $33,478 | $16.10 |
| 26 | Kentucky | $31,509 | $15.15 |
| 27 | Hawaii | $32,600 | $15.67 |
| 28 | Illinois | $33,140 | $15.93 |
| 29 | Indiana | $32,196 | $15.48 |
| 30 | Utah | $32,297 | $15.53 |
| 31 | Nevada | $32,987 | $15.86 |
| 32 | West Virginia | $32,572 | $15.66 |
| 33 | Delaware | $33,983 | $16.34 |
| 34 | Oklahoma | $32,633 | $15.69 |
| 35 | California | $33,264 | $15.99 |
| 36 | Maryland | $33,348 | $16.03 |
| 37 | Arizona | $31,985 | $15.38 |
| 38 | Colorado | $33,386 | $16.05 |
| 39 | Michigan | $30,640 | $14.73 |
| 40 | Louisiana | $30,721 | $14.77 |
| 41 | South Carolina | $30,284 | $14.56 |
| 42 | Mississippi | $31,509 | $15.15 |
| 43 | Iowa | $29,135 | $14.01 |
| 44 | New Mexico | $32,543 | $15.65 |
| 45 | North Carolina | $29,537 | $14.20 |
| 46 | Arkansas | $31,441 | $15.12 |
| 47 | Missouri | $31,651 | $15.22 |
| 48 | Florida | $28,287 | $13.60 |
| 49 | Georgia | $28,169 | $13.54 |
| 50 | Texas | $28,599 | $13.75 |
| 51 | Alabama | $28,009 | $13.47 |
The highest-paying cities for press operators helper are Kearny, NJ, Cleveland, OH, and Richmond, VA.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kearny, NJ | $42,286 | $20.33 |
| 2 | Cleveland, OH | $38,994 | $18.75 |
| 3 | Richmond, VA | $38,806 | $18.66 |
| 4 | Green Bay, WI | $38,068 | $18.30 |
| 5 | Warminster, PA | $34,835 | $16.75 |
| 6 | Kankakee, IL | $32,730 | $15.74 |
| 7 | Tulsa, OK | $32,707 | $15.72 |
| 8 | Knoxville, TN | $32,515 | $15.63 |
| 9 | Salt Lake City, UT | $32,338 | $15.55 |
| 10 | Indianapolis, IN | $31,992 | $15.38 |
| 11 | Texarkana, AR | $30,897 | $14.85 |
| 12 | Ames, IA | $29,144 | $14.01 |
| 13 | Dalton, GA | $28,678 | $13.79 |
| 14 | Conroe, TX | $28,238 | $13.58 |
A press operator helper's salary ranges from $26,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $42,000 at the 90th percentile.

| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $42,000 | $3,500 | $20 |
| 75th Percentile | $37,000 | $3,083 | $18 |
| Average | $33,649 | $2,804 | $16 |
| 25th Percentile | $29,000 | $2,417 | $14 |
| 10th Percentile | $26,000 | $2,167 | $13 |
The highest paying types of press operators helper are compositor, offset press operator, and lead press operator.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Screen Making Technician | $32,429 | $2,702 | $15.59 | 24,872 |
| Compositor | $45,101 | $3,758 | $21.68 | 154 |
| Printer | $33,219 | $2,768 | $15.97 | 1,756 |
| Pressman | $39,994 | $3,333 | $19.23 | 673 |
| Helper | $31,331 | $2,611 | $15.06 | 29,873 |
| Digital Print Operator | $31,749 | $2,646 | $15.26 | 46,110 |
Top companies hiring press operators helper now:
Press operator helper salaries at Owens Corning and Railserve are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average press operator helper salary at companies like Resource One Credit Union and Staff Management are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Owens Corning | $44,615 | $21.45 |
| 2 | Railserve | $33,381 | $16.05 |
| 3 | Resource One Credit Union | $33,237 | $15.98 |
| 4 | Staff Management | $31,921 | $15.35 |
| 5 | Area Temps | $31,844 | $15.31 |
| 6 | Randstad North America, Inc. | $31,802 | $15.29 |
| 7 | MCC Label | $31,699 | $15.24 |
The average press operator helper salary varies across industries:
| Rank | Industry | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Media | $36,559 | $17.58 |
| 2 | Manufacturing | $36,255 | $17.43 |
| 3 | Transportation | $34,795 | $16.73 |
| 4 | Professional | $33,280 | $16.00 |
| 5 | Retail | $32,442 | $15.60 |
The average press operator helper salary has risen by $3,189 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average press operator helper earned $30,460 annually, but today, they earn $33,649 a year. That works out to a 7% change in pay for press operators helper over the last decade.
Compare press operator helper salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Compare press operator helper salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $33,600 | $16.18 | +2.6% |
| 2024 | $32,800 | $15.76 | +1.9% |
| 2023 | $32,200 | $15.47 | +1.3% |
| 2022 | $31,800 | $15.27 | +0.6% |
| 2021 | $31,600 | $15.17 | +0.8% |
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alliance Industrial Solutions | Seeking Press Operator and Press Helper 818091 | Charlotte, NC | 06/27/2025 | $35,479 |
| Freeport-McMoran Copper & Gold Inc. | Operations Helper | Green Valley, AZ | 06/26/2025 | $37,566 |
| Marmon Group | Belle-Operator/Helper (Rail) | Belle, WV | 05/27/2025 | $41,740 |
| Hawaiian Electric | Operator Helper-Lanai | Lanai City, HI | 05/24/2025 | $68,934 |
| Marmon Group | Brandenburg-Operator/Helper (Rail) | Brandenburg, KY | 03/28/2025 | $48,001 |
| Marmon Group | Eddyville-Operator Helper (Rail) | Eddyville, IA | 03/28/2025 | $45,914 |
| Norsk Hydro Asa | Press-Packer Helper Operator | Phoenix, AZ | 03/28/2025 | $39,194 |
| Freeport-McMoran | Hydromet Operations Helper | Bayard, NM | 03/27/2025 | $37,566 |
| Marmonretailsolutions | Houston-Stolthaven-Operator/Helper (Rail) | Houston, TX | 02/20/2025 | $41,740 |
| State of Florida | OPS Senior Youth Camp Helper | Palm Beach Gardens, FL | 02/19/2025 | $32,349 |
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